Lionel Messi has always struggled to win a World Cup, but he now has another fantastic chance to do so for Argentina and join Diego Maradona in having his name associated with the greatest tournament win in football history. Messi is currently just one game away from winning the World Cup after rediscovering some of his enchanted forms at Qatar 2022.
He is once more quite near. In Qatar 2022, Lionel Messi is currently just one match away from winning the World Cup for the first time in his brilliant career. Can he emulate Diego Maradona, another Argentine legend, on the largest stage the game has to offer?
The 35-year-old was the one who helped Argentina seize the lead in their 3-0 semi-final victory over Croatia for the second time in the 2022 World Cup by converting an impressive penalty to break the tie. Although Messi tormented Josko Gvardiol before setting up Julian Alvarez for the game’s finest goal, it was. It was the renowned forward’s most recent divine intervention.
France will be the next opponent for Messi and Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday. As the defending champions try to stop Messi and his teammates and deny the great striker his elusive ambition, the opposition could hardly be more formidable. France will likely give Argentina a difficult time by releasing Kylian Mbappe once more along with Antoine Griezmann and company in addition to trying to keep their top player quiet.
Thus, the stage has been set for Messi to strive again to win the cherished title for his nation. Argentina’s final will undoubtedly not be simple, but can they make the decisive move in the tournament’s championship game? As the anticipation for the final has grown, all eyes have once more been on the superstar as he trained throughout the week.
HAS MESSI EVER WON A WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA?
Sadly, Messi has yet to help Argentina win a World Cup, but he can easily make up for that on Sunday with another outstanding performance. The closest he has been in his career so far was in 2014 when his team lost to Germany in the championship game in a rematch of the Maradona-starring final from 1990. Of course, Maradona and Argentina lost that match as well.
After the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, Messi received the Golden Ball as the greatest player of the competition after finishing with four goals and an assist for a joint-third-highest goal total. He also generated the most scoring opportunities of any individual player. Given that it was such a heartbreaking loss for him and his teammates after such high expectations, that will have been of little comfort.
IS THIS HIS LAST WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA?
Yes. After Argentina’s victory over Croatia, Messi said the World Cup final in Doha would be his last match. He also admitted he didn’t see himself playing in the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“Between this year and the next, there are numerous years. I doubt I’ll be able to accomplish that. This is a wonderful way to finish “stated Messi.
The same is probably true for iconic opponent Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Portugal team lost in the quarterfinals. After Ronaldo was benched for Portugal’s match against Morocco in the last 16, and Morocco eliminated Portugal in the quarterfinals, this tournament has already proven to be a devastating disappointment for him. Messi will be wishing for a more satisfying end to his time in Qatar.
HOW MANY WORLD CUPS DID MARADONA WIN?
Of course, there will always be comparisons between Messi and fellow Argentina star Maradona, who amassed 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Maradona participated in four World Cups, including the Mexico 1986 World Cup winning campaign. Maradona led Argentina to victory over West Germany in the tournament’s championship match as their captain. As the tournament’s clear best player, he also claimed the Golden Ball.
The 1990 World Cup in Italy was Maradona’s only World Cup victory, despite the fact that he was much favored to win it all. In that match, West Germany defeated Argentina 1-0, with Andreas Brehme’s contentious 85th-minute penalty goal in Rome serving as the game’s lone score.
Later, in November 2008, Maradona suddenly took over as Argentina’s coach. He led a less-than-successful World Cup campaign in South Africa in 2010 and left his position at the conclusion of the competition.
WHAT HAS THE REACTION BEEN TO MESSI’S HEROICS?
After Messi’s incredible semi-final performance against Croatia, especially his assist for the third goal, Alvarez’s second, Gary Neville was among those on ITV praising Messi.
It fascinates me that [Josko] Gvardiol, who weighs 13 to 14 stone, is ragdolling him “Neville said.
“Twelve years ago, Messi used to walk past people without looking back; today, he uses other techniques.
“The way he’s playing, it does feel like a mission. “The rest of his teammates are working extremely hard for him, and that’s what he needs.
Former England internationals Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker gushed over Messi after his spectacular pass gave Argentina a 1-0 lead after he had similarly impressively played against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Molina, a fullback, was sent through by Messi with a fantastic reverse ball, and after taking a touch, he scored. The BBC studio panel was in awe of Messi’s pass as they saw the replays during halftime.
For the past 15 years, Lionel Messi has been making a difference at the highest level, according to Ferdinand.
“He is the one who assumes responsibility when games need to be defined. He is a fantastic football player. The entire crowd rises to its feet whenever he receives the ball.
I’ve always said it’s like he plays the game while watching it from above, Lineker continued.
Former Manchester City and Argentina full-back Pablo Zabaleta sat next to them in the studio. He clarified that Messi is a different player, but no less dangerous, at this point in his great career.
“Lionel Messi is on the field, so that’s why I stated I was confident before the game. He is the only one who has the true power to influence events. He had an incredible pass.
Messi is 35 years old and nearing the conclusion of his career, but he is still playing like a playmaker, which also distinguishes him from other players since he lacks the speed to come up and collect the ball and dribble past opponents. He has excellent vision and is quite intelligent. He is capable of coming to collect the ball.
He’s always been this way, according to defender Nicolas Tagliafico. When we are on the field, he is the one who provides us with that distinct advantage.
We all know we can contribute and offer our best because of Messi, which is a fantastic source of inspiration and hope. We are overjoyed to have Messi as our leader. We are all working together to realize our dreams with everyone’s support, and it is the most beautiful thing to accomplish with Messi by our side.