It’s every child’s dream, Messi said. I was lucky to have achieved everything in this career… and this one that was missing is here. It’s insane… look at her (the World Cup), she’s stunning. I had a strong desire for her. I had a feeling this was the one… she was getting closer.
On this patch of green in the Qatari desert, all that mattered to the 35-year-old was delivering Argentina’s long-awaited World Cup, which he did with a virtuoso performance against defending champions France in what turned out to be a final for the ages. After leading Argentina to a 2-0 lead that they blew in the final 10 minutes, he put them ahead in extra time before converting his penalty in the shootout, which they eventually won.
As tens of thousands of Argentines jumped, hugged, cried, and screamed in the febrile stadium, so did the Argentine team, sobbing freely and mobbing the man who has been their talisman for a generation. It had taken five attempts and a record 26 World Cup finals matches, but the boy from Rosario – the farm hub city some 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires – had finally delivered to join that other Argentina footballing deity, Diego Maradona, who had led his country to victory in 1986.
We suffer, but we have it (the World Cup), Messi explained. I wanted to end my career on a high note; I can’t ask for anything else; thank God, he gave me everything.
He had returned to Qatar with the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. Eight years ago, in a World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, Messi was understated, not magical, and appeared worn down by the weight of expectation as Argentina lost to Germany.
He wore it lightly this time, seemingly inspired by the desperation emanating from every voice in the stands. The victory capped an extraordinary career in which he was named the world’s best player a record seven times.
He has 11 league titles, four Champions League titles, three Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups to his name. He now possesses the most coveted of all.
