Lionel Messi’s last dance will continue until the music stops in Qatar on Sunday as he now stands just 90 minutes away from the ultimate accolade of having the World Cup forever attached to his name.
Just as Diego Maradona indelibly stamped himself in Argentina’s 1986 victory in Mexico and Brazilian striker Ronaldo wrote a redemption story in his 2002 victory in Yokohama, let’s call it Messi’s World Cup. ga if they effect victory against either France or Morocco in the final.
Argentina’s campaign in Qatar began with an infamy that is still the biggest shock of the World Cup, when they lost to Saudi Arabia.
But the manner in which master Messi and his apprentice Julian Alvarez thrashed Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final gave an ominous warning that they are still targeting their fans at the Lucille Stadium long after the final. The whistle
So it all comes back to space-age Lucille on Sunday, whether Argentina can win a third World Cup in their sixth final and whether any player who has dubbed the game the greatest of all time will finally be rewarded. But he can raise his hand. remained tantalizingly out of his reach.
For a while, at least, it looked like the romantic and Argentina-supporting perfect ending would turn into a nightmare as an amused Messi strained and felt the top of his left hamstring in the 19th minute. .
Messi, who equaled Luther Matthaus’ World Cup record of 25 matches, moved at a walking pace, something the 35-year-old does a lot in his current mood, clearly feeling the pain.
But he got the biggest boost after 34 minutes when he slotted past opener Dominik Levakovic from the penalty spot after Alvarez was fouled by the Croatia keeper.
Alvarez then followed a long and winding drive to head Messi’s header inside Croatia five minutes into the half, assisted by rebounds from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa before beating Levakovic. .
The highlight of the pair’s masterclass came after 69 minutes when Messi, Rosario’s wizard, more or less made one of the tournament’s outstanding defenders disappear.
Messi appeared to be trapped on the touchline but a twist and a soft foot took him away from Josep Guardiola, now regarded as an “A-List” defender and RB to set up the predatory Alvarez. Attempted a £70m move away from Leipzig. .
In that moment, Messi not only dazzled Guardiol once, but on a couple of other occasions for good measure.
He was drafted in as Messi for Argentina against Luka Modric for Croatia, two illustrious players whose World Cup history stretches back to Germany in 2006.
It was not to be Modric’s night. He would not get a chance to avenge the defeat to France in the 2018 final in Moscow, but received a standing ovation from around the stadium with nine minutes remaining.
At the final whistle, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni embraced Messi in a gesture of thanks for a performance that put them both on the brink of career glory.
Messi’s story continues until Sunday, when he will finally have the chance to erase the memories of his all-too-clear anxiety and frustration when he failed to prevent Argentina from losing 1-0 to Germany at Rio’s iconic Maracana in 2014.
And in an indication of his longevity and enduring abilities, his contribution against Croatia meant he became the first player to score and assist in four separate World Cup matches since 1966 – 2006. Me against Serbia and here in Qatar against Mexico, Netherlands and Croatia.
Argentina has scored 12 goals in this World Cup. Messi netted five and assisted three – he was not given another assist for the header that set Alvarez on course to score to double Argentina’s lead.
He has a total of 11 goals in the World Cup which is a record for Argentina.
And Messi is now level with Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot in Qatar with five goals. Could the contest be settled on the biggest global stage in sports on Sunday?
Messi or Maradona?
JEE News and former England captain Alan Shearer has suggested that Argentina’s World Cup win on Sunday could be more important when it comes to the debate about who is the country’s greatest football player. Who is the bigger product – Messi or Maradona?
Shearer said: “What a story it will be if Argentina win the World Cup. Will it end the Messi or Maradona debate?
“We said if Messi wins the World Cup here, it has to be him. That’s been the difference [in the past], that’s been the dividing point – Maradona won the World Cup. If Messi had won it here. So my view will change.”
Messi has won and done it all for club and country – except the World Cup.
Could that fateful moment come Sunday at Lucille Stadium? If it happens, it will always be known as Lionel Messi’s World Cup.
