The world title is the only one missing from Lionel Messi’s collection. In the tournament he showed how much he wants it and set new standards again against Croatia.
There were indeed pundits who had their doubts about Lionel Messi. In the first five games of the World Cup, however, the 35-year-old proved to the last critics that he can still be called a footballing genius. With four goals and two assists, he led Argentina to the semifinals against Croatia. And although you have seen so many gala appearances from him, he amazed the football world again.
Messi shows Gvardiol the limits
Messi scored the penalty to make it 1-0, initiated the second goal with a toe and prepared goal number three – the game ended 3-0 – with an incredible solo and a lot of overview. It wasn’t the only dribble that got the stadium and the tens of thousands of Argentinian fans there buzzing. Josko Gvardiol in particular, who is actually playing a great tournament, suffered from this and was almost pulled through the ring several times by Messi.
The artist also becomes a worker
The six-time world footballer had many such moments at this World Cup, but not so concentrated in one game. In the course of this, however, it was also often talked about that Messi often takes his breaks, walks many meters at a leisurely pace and does not really work defensively. But that’s exactly what he did against Croatia, Messi conquered the ball a few times as a defender.
For his big dream, the world title, he reinvents himself again. Because not only is he the fantastic footballer, he also works. Messi is doing everything to become world champion. “Messi has played a good tournament so far, but today was just sensational“Sports show expert Thomas Hitzlsperger enthused.
Great self-confidence even before the tournament
Messi doesn’t seem to care that much, including the fact that he’s now Argentina’s all-time record goalscorer with 11 World Cup goals and his appearance in the final will set him a record-breaking 26 World Cup appearances. “I don’t even think about that‘ said the Paris St. Germain star on the status of Argentina’s top scorer. ‘We are very happy and it was great fun to get here. We trusted each other and gave everything to earn that trust. Because we knew we could do it – as crazy as that sounds.“
It might not have been that crazy before the tournament started, but it was after the first game of the World Cup. Argentina lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia and even had to worry about progressing to the group stage. But five victories followed and on Sunday (December 18, 2022) the highlight is to follow in the final. “I have so much going through my head, I don’t even know how to describe how I feel when I see this family celebrating, these fans who are with us all the time. Now we are all in the final‘ said Messi.
Stronger than ever in Argentina
In 2014 he already experienced something like this. Back then, Mario Götze sent Messi into the valley of tears with his goal in extra time, he was already so close to his dream. Seven years later, he won the first major Copa America title with Argentina. Even then, Messi was by far the best player of the tournament, scoring four goals and providing five assists.
It may be that Messi has passed his zenith in club football, at least since his move to Paris it is no longer the magic it was during his wedding at FC Barcelona. In the national team, however, he is playing stronger than ever. First the Copa America, now the World Cup. It’s the only title he’s missing.
“Somehow we are all Messi now”
The Messi title list: 11-time national champion, four-time Champions League winner, three-time club world champion, U20 world champion, Olympic and Copa winner with Argentina. He won everything and he was always decisive. At the World Cup, however, even Messi wasn’t enough – that’s why even he is now reaching new spheres.
And he even got a lot of neutrals on his side as a result. An example of this is Jürgen Klinsmann. “I think everyone gives him that title. Somehow we are all Messi now“Said the ex-national coach to the sports show.
