Messi the GOAT (‘greatest of all time’)

I grew up idolizing Maradona as I used to be a football addict. So, it was natural to like Argentina and of course, Lionel Messi who was influenced and inspired by Diego.

I stopped being a passionate football fan as Nigeria’s defeat by Denmark in the 1998 World Cup left me heartbroken and shattered. It was as if my whole world has crumbled. I was emotionally vested and was hoping for an epic quarter-final with Brazil. Literally counted my eggs before they hatched as my permutations didn’t consider Denmark as an obstacle.

So, I became a casual fan afterwards but still have a soft spot for Manchester United (‘Man U’) and Barcelona. My support for Manchester United was influenced by the duo of Sir Alex and Christiano Ronaldo. Lionel Messi was the inspiration behind my admiration for Barcelona and not their brilliant tiki-taka football style. Man U was invincible under Sir Alex but it became a case of ‘how have the mighty fallen’. Gradually my support for Manchester united began to wane after the retirement of Sir Alex and their lacklustre performance that remained unabated.

Unlike most Messi fans that resent and disdain Ronaldo, I couldn’t get myself to speak ill of Ronaldo. His craftsmanship, discipline, health consciousness, good looks and the fact that he is a fitness junky are some of the things that endeared me to him. His unparallel records also spoke volumes. I had admired Ronaldo from his young days at Manchester United and watched him grow and mature into the celebrated icon that he is today.

Messi on the other hand is sublime, invincible, proficient, prolific and simply magical. He always puts a smile on my face anytime I watch him play. I chew on his youtube videos for pastime and I’m always awed by the wonders he performs on the pitch. In an interview from 2018, Barcelona Scout Carles Rexach recalls how 22 years ago to the day he signed Leo Messi by making a written commitment to his father on a restaurant napkin.

Despite a stellar career, it seemed Messi couldn’t replicate the successes at the club level with the sky-blue Argentine jersey. Although he won Olympic gold and an Under 20 world cup, his sojourn at the senior team could be characterized by near misses. So close, yet so far. He has also had his fair share of disappointments losing three Copa America Finals and a world cup final against Germany. He had quit international football after missing a penalty in the Copa America final shoot-out in New Jersey in 2016. However, he changed his mind announcing he loves Argentina “too much” to walk away from the national team

So when the Qatar 2023 World Cup started, it was only natural to support Argentina and Messi. Possibly this would be Messi’s last attempt and definitely a defining one for his career after recently winning the Copa America with Argentina in 2021.  Despite winning all possible awards and trophies on a club level, and a Copa America, naysayers still argue that he has been lucky and not worthy to be conferred the title of the GOAT. So, I wanted this World Cup to put a finality to the debate on the Greatest of All Time. My dream final was Argentina and Portugal but the latter suffered an inglorious defeat to Morocco in the Quarter Finals.

Argentina on the other hand lost their first match against least favourite Saudi Arabia but went on to win every other game. I watched intensely and prayed as well. I just wanted Messi to have this as he has given so much to the beautiful game of soccer.

The Word Cup final was with the defending champion France and Messi was playing against teammate Mbappe. The game was pulsating, it initially seemed like Argentina had it and later looked like they had lost it but it just seemed this was Messi’. There was no way the over 50,000 Argentine supporters at the Lusail stadium would be left heartbroken. The match was filled with thrills, twists, and suspense going into extra time as both teams played their hearts out. France fought hard, came back twice and almost got a dying-minute clincher but Martinez saved the day and the cup. Argentina won the game through a penalty contest and Messi became the undisputed Greatest of All Time (‘GOAT’) and on his way to winning an eighth Ballon D’or.

I don’t know if there is a God of Soccer but Messi’s career seems perfectly scripted.

#EMBA28