With the golden trophy in both hands, Lionel Messi also led his side into the final act of that magical night in Qatar.
While millions of fans wept with joy on the streets of their homeland, Argentina’s superstar conducted his dancing teammates from the stadium catacombs. The world champions following their captain himself on his way to the party, it was an image that rounded off this team’s impression at the desert tournament: Messi leading the way, the others watching his back.
In the midst of tens of thousands of supporters, even Messi’s face shone a little later on the obelisk in Buenos Aires. At that moment, the world was already wondering: is this Messi now officially the best footballer of all time, now that he has won the greatest of all titles? And anyway: what is to come now?
Yes, even Messi himself asked at least the second question. He was smiling and grinning, and because that didn’t happen too often in his unique career, it was particularly noticeable after the 4-2 penalty shoot-out against France. It was all “crazy”, said Messi, completely overwhelmed by what he had achieved. “Of course I wanted to end my career with it, I can’t wish for more.”
Messi on par with Maradona
At that moment at the latest, you listened more closely. finish career? He still has a contract with Paris Saint-Germain until the summer. Messi himself classified the whole thing a bit. He dreamed of it as a child and now he has achieved everything. “It’s impressive to almost end my career in this way.” So almost. He would like to play a few more games as world champion for Argentina. So that’s not it.
Nevertheless, one impression solidified that night in Doha: that his end as a professional footballer was near. Because now Messi has shown everyone that he can be Diego Maradona himself. That he can not only dribble and do magic like Argentina’s soccer legend, who died two years ago. Messi finally proved in Qatar that he can touch his compatriots like Maradona once did.
The way he encouraged his team to win the Copa América a year and a half ago with an impressive dressing-room speech made a powerful impression. And as absurd as it sounds, the way he tangled with Wout Weghorst after the heated quarter-final against the Netherlands was also well received. Messi showed edge, finally he became tangible for the people in his homeland.
And now the golden World Cup trophy. “He’s a gift from the football gods,” enthused former England international Gary Lineker. “After 36 years, the national team is glorious again and Messi is now a legend,” cheered Argentina’s Clarin newspaper.
Congratulations from Pele
Like Maradona, who gave his people the biggest trophy in world football in 1986. The Brazilian Pelé also congratulated via Instagram from the hospital in São Paulo. “Lionel Messi won his first World Cup, as he deserved because of his career,” wrote the 82-year-old, who is suffering from cancer, adding, referring to Maradona: “Diego is certainly smiling now.”
As the best player of the tournament, Messi was not only honored with the golden ball for the second time at a World Cup because of his seven goals and three assists. No one before him had ever managed to do that. On February 27, he could be voted world footballer for the seventh time. That too would be unique. However, the question of whether he is the best of all time cannot be answered.
For one thing, a Pelé would still be two world titles and a few goals ahead of him. On the other hand, Messi has won some of the biggest titles in Europe where Pelé has never played. Also: A comparison of several footballers from different generations is always difficult. But one thing is certain with the world title: Messi finally joins the ranks of the greatest of all time. In his very own way.
Will Messi play at the World Cup in four years?
His coach Lionel Scaloni even held the door open for the 2026 World Cup after what was probably his best tournament in the national jersey. Although Messi ruled out playing another World Cup several times during the tournament in Qatar. “It’s up to him,” said the coach after the final. “Everything he passes on to his teammates is something I’ve never seen before.”
At the start of the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Messi would be almost 39 years old. Nothing seems impossible for this extraordinary player. But he also knows one thing: It can’t get any better now.
