“Come on Diego, from heaven,” whispered Lionel Messi simply earlier than Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty and his legs gave out. He knelt down on the grass and Leandro Paredes arrived to star within the 2022 model of ‘El abrazo del alma’ (Hug of the soul), the long-lasting {photograph} that turned a logo of the Albiceleste’s World Cups. That was in 1978, at dwelling. Now, in Qatar (however surrounded by Argentines), Messi achieved his nice milestone: successful the World Cup.
Instantly, the messages went off on social media or in debates amongst buddies, household and colleagues: Is Messi the very best footballer in historical past?. With the numbers we have now, there is no such thing as a doubt. Nobody in historical past has ever received as a lot, or carried out so nicely for therefore lengthy. Then there’s subjectivity, emotion and the divine. What Diego Maradona embodies.
The second Messi realized he was a World Champion
Messi, for his half, has completed every little thing wanted to be thought of the best. As a result of to be the very best it’s a must to beat the very best, and at completely different instances in his profession, Messi has crushed the opposite modern GOATs who’ve accompanied him (and pushed him to excel). First it was Cristiano Ronaldo, then Neymar and now the long run: Kylian Mbappe.
2022 World Cup Remaining (vs Mbappe)
The final and the newest triumph towards a shocking opponent. The one one able to surpassing him (in targets) on the World Cup. Mbappe carried an outclassed France on the Lusail Stadium like a silent tightrope walker. After being invisible for 80 minutes, he modified the match in 97 seconds of absolute insanity.
He scored three targets between regular and additional time, and scored his penalty within the shootout. Mbappe did every little thing in his energy to forestall Messi from fulfilling his future and matching Maradona. He failed to take action.
After the defeat, Mbappe, who’s on his approach to rewriting World Cup historical past via his targets, started to soak up what had occurred. With sportsmanship, in fact. Silver Ball of the match and prime scorer of the match. He and Messi, teammates at PSG, embraced on the pitch and left us with one of many pictures of the 2022 World Cup. King and inheritor.
Copa America 2021 Remaining (vs Neymar)
The current historical past of Argentine soccer started to alter on July 10, 2021. On that day, in entrance of simply 5,500 followers (COVID restrictions), the Copa America remaining was held on the Maracana. Argentina vs. Brazil on Carioca soil.
Till then, the current Albiceleste historical past advised tales of defeat. The drama of 2002 once they dreamed of successful all of it, the stumbles within the following World Cups, the unhappiness of Brazil 2014 towards Germany, the Copa America remaining defeats to Chile or the current elimination in Russia 2018 towards France and Mbappe.
Neymar y Messi se abrazaron tras la remaining de Maracan 2021.
However every little thing modified on the Maracana on July 10, 2021. Argentina discovered methods to win. Di Maria scored the decisive aim within the remaining (1-0) however Messi led the Argentines to victory: 4 targets and greatest participant of the match in keeping with CONMEBOL.
In entrance of them was Neymar, teammate and buddy. As with Mbappe in Qatar, Neymar accepted the defeat to Messi. A hug on the pitch and a chat within the tunnel afterwards.
2009 Champions League Remaining (vs Cristiano Ronaldo)
Rome is called ‘the Everlasting Metropolis’. In 2009 (on Might 27 to be exact), in entrance of 62,467 followers on the Olimpico, the Italian capital added a brand new reminiscence to its assortment. Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona had been showing of their first Champions League remaining and had been seeking to dethrone the reigning champions: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United.
They did it, and slightly comfortably, with Messi offering one of the crucial iconic moments of his profession. Considered one of many. A headed aim that many thought not possible and a run down the again line with the shoe (sky blue, in fact) in his hand.
Messi completed off what Samuel Eto’o had began and lifted the third Champions League in Barcelona’s historical past to the sky. That was ‘his’ first correct Champions League. The primary through which he was a transparent star as a result of in 2006 he missed the decisive a part of the marketing campaign because of damage. A triumph that led him to his first Ballon d’Or.
Guardiola y Messi celebran la Champions.
On that day Messi surpassed the person who would grow to be his opponent for greater than a decade. The Portuguese star who pushed him to enhance in each play. Each, unquestionably, have starred in one of many biggest sporting rivalries we’ll ever see.