In commemoration of the one-year anniversary, let us revisit the 2022 FIFA World Cup final where Lionel Messi triumphantly raised the trophy, marking the pinnacle of his football career.
The Indian Express analyzes the moments and key figures that made the FIFA World Cup final one of the most exhilarating matches, a year later.
The cameras focused on Lionel Messi. This was meant to be his moment, wasn’t it? The night he achieved football greatness. The culmination of a career that had already earned him every trophy – both team and individual – except one. However, in the 81st minute, the smile on Messi’s face reflected the acceptance of a harsh reality. Would this be another repeat of 2014? Despite his dazzling performance throughout the tournament, was it all going to end in disappointment? Had the World Cup once again slipped through his fingers? Was this yet another reminder that sports cares little for fairy tale endings? Just a few yards away, the French players were celebrating. Kylian Mbappe had scored the equalizer for France, after Argentina had dominated the entire final.
The flashbacks experienced by Messi, Argentina, and their passionate supporters in Doha and other locations must have been spine-chilling. The narrative seemed strangely familiar, reminiscent of the heartbreaks they had endured in 2014, 2015, and even the following year. These were three significant final defeats that had left Messi in tears, contemplating retirement. Perhaps he was not destined to be the chosen one after all. Maybe Diego Maradona had made a mistake when he proclaimed, “I have witnessed the player who will succeed me in Argentine football, and his name is Messi.” This was Argentina’s most beloved and revered figure, surpassing even the Pope, who had already anointed his successor before he had even played a World Cup match. Perhaps Messi was not the one who would lead Argentina to their first world title since Maradona and the legendary Class of ’86
