Lionel Messi exits the FIFA World Cup in tears and as football’s greatest | Football News
Tears flowed Lionel Mession his face as he walked away with a silver medal around his neck. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in FIFA World Cup final, ending the defending champions’ title defense and what could be the final World Cup appearance of the greatest football player the game has ever seen.Twenty years after making his debut in the World Cup, the 39-year-old has yet to perform another miracle. Argentina, chasing back-to-back World Cup titles, were beaten by Spain for a long time at MetLife Stadium, where 80,663 spectators were hoping to see their Messi-ah lift the trophy again.However, Spain is celebrating their second World Cup title.Ferran Torres scored just 37 seconds into the second half of extra time to settle the final after Spain dominated the match from the opening whistle. As the Spanish players celebrated, Messi stood with his teammates, struggling to hold back tears as Argentina’s supporters cheered them on from the stands.Messi, head bowed, hands on his hips, watched as 19-year-old Lamine Yamal hugged Torres after the win. Moments later, with tears streaming down his cheeks, he collected his runners-up medal as Spain celebrated amid confetti and fireworks.“I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he achieved because he’s the best football player ever stepping foot on a pitch,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after the game.The statistics show Spain’s dominance in the final. Luis de la Fuente’s side outshot Argentina 20-2 and completed 845 passes to Argentina’s 433. According to Opta, the 18-shot difference is the second largest in a World Cup final since records began in 1966, behind only West Germany’s 23-1 shot advantage over Argentina in the 1990 final.Spain also did what few teams have done — they silenced Messi.“The first idea is to stop Messi,” said coach Luis de la Fuente of Spain.Messi made only 15 touches in the first half and finished with 54 touches in the match. He never found the space to create the chances that took Argentina to the tournament. His passes into dangerous areas failed to connect and he rarely received the ball in positions where he could threaten Spain’s defence.
That wasn’t the story of Argentina’s campaign until the end.After leaving European football for Major League Soccer three years ago, some have questioned whether Messi’s best days are behind him. However, he led Argentina back to another World Cup final with eight goals and four assists.His eight goals helped Argentina through the group stage and knockout rounds. Against England in the semifinal, he set up two goals in a stoppage time victory. Against Egypt, with Argentina trailing 2-0 and facing elimination, he provided the cross for the first goal before scoring the equalizer himself.Throughout the tournament, Messi once again showed his ability to influence matches despite covering less ground than his teammates. He walks almost half the time he spends on the pitch, averaging around five kilometers per game, conserving energy before producing bursts of quality when Argentina need him.Against Spain, however, that chance did not come.If this is his last, then Messi will end his World Cup career with 21 goals, a record that stood until France’s Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the third-place playoff to move to 22. He also became the first player to start three World Cup finals and has 125 international goals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 146.His accomplishments go beyond statistics.Won the World Cup in 2022. Consecutive Copa América titles. Four UEFA Champions League trophies. Twelve league titles throughout the season with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, only player in the history of football to win 8 Ballon d’Or awards. A career that puts him together Diego Maradona and Pelé in football’s greatest debate.When the final whistle blew, the Spanish players lined up to console him. Many hugged him before Argentina collected their silver medals. When Spain formed a guard of honor for the runners-up, Messi tried to smile but couldn’t. His expression barely changed as opponents applauded him as he walked to the podium.If this was indeed his last appearance on football’s biggest stage, it ended up being the fairytale ending many expected.Not because Messi failed to try. Spain just gave him no room to move. Their midfield led by Rodri controlled possession, limited Argentina’s attacks and prevented Messi from dictating the game as he had done throughout the tournament.The end may not have given him the ending he wanted, but it will make little difference to how his career will be remembered.This may not be the last thing Messi has in mind. This may not be the end. Whether this proves to be the last appearance of Messi in the World Cup or not will be clear only when he decides. But if this is the last image of him on football’s biggest stage, it will be one of tears, not triumph.However, the loss in New Jersey can’t undo a career that has already earned its place among the game’s greatest. If this is his tearful signing, fans will be looking at the return of being blessed with football’s greatest of all time.
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