Lionel Messi wants to extend his last dream

Fists clenched in front of him, face tense, brow furrowed with effort and concentration, and these words: “C’mon C’mon !” (come on !). By going to celebrate his goal near the sky and white bend, Messi made the tens of thousands of Argentinian supporters present at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday evening explode with joy, and the millions of fans who were waiting for him around the world.

With his goal on the hour mark, after being served in the center by Angel Di Maria, Messi allowed Argentina to breathe. Surprised 2-1 by Saudi Arabia at the opening, the Albiceleste were to beat the “Tri” on Saturday to open the way to qualification for the round of 16, before the third match against Poland by Robert Lewandowksi on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ). “My goal changed the game. Then we had to defend the result, because we had to win, for everyone’s peace of mind”agreed the Argentine captain in a post-match press conference. “The first half was not good… And then you know what happened. The No.10 scored”, summed up coach Lionel Scaloni after the match. And the jewel of Enzo Fernandez, only softened the beautiful night of Messi, who was the first to jump on his back to celebrate, before being given a standing ovation. “Messi, Messi!”.

Too alone, too strong

This burst of pride comes at the right time for the “Pulga”, (the Flea), after the rout of the first match. Because until then, his Albiceleste was skating in front of Mexico, cut off five behind, and determined to impose his physical presence. Muzzled by the heavy Mexican defense, abandoned by his teammates… Messi gave it all on Saturday night. Faced with the inability of the Argentines to penetrate the Mexican thirty meters, he himself took charge of going down to get the ball in his camp to bring it up alone. We saw him fight in aerial duels (31st), and even go to the laundry (33rd, 45th + 2), always alone.

In spite of all his efforts, he sometimes himself was the author of approximations. Half an hour into the game (34th), his side free kick was deflected with both fists by Mexican goalkeeper “Memo” Ochoa. And before the hour mark (51st), after being tackled by Erick Gutierrez near the surface of the “Tri”, he failed to adjust his free kick, which went well above the bar of Ochoa.

Messi joins Maradona

But against Mexico, Messi had history with him: his Argentina had already met the Central American selection twice in the final phase of a World Cup, and each time, the Albiceleste had come out. In 2006 (2-1 ap) and in 2010 (3-1), Argentina sent the Mexicans home to the round of 16 stage. And this year, for what will “probably” be his last World Cup, “Leo” has not said his last word. Refusing to go out the back door, he, as often, carried his team.

Two years after the death of Diego Maradona, the heir to the Argentine legend’s No. 10 commemorated this “sad day”, as Scaloni called it, by posting a photo of his idol on Instagram on Thursday evening. Because only one small object separates the Pulga de Rosario from the “Pibe de Oro” (golden kid), world champion in 1986 with the Albiceleste. But before dreaming of lifting the World Cup on December 18, Messi continues to join Maradona in the history books: on Saturday in a packed stadium (88,966 spectators), the Paris Saint-Germain striker joined his idol at the rank of Argentines having played the most World Cup matches (21), with the same number of goals scored (eight).