LIONEL MESSI: A TRUE INSPIRATION

Zaid Bin Shakir

It was 18 December 2022 in Qatar when Lionel Messi, one of the most inspiring and legendary footballers in the history of the game, led his team from the front to lift the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Trophy by defeating France on penalties in one of the most thrilling Finals in football history. No doubt, this was Messi’s biggest career achievement.

It is a fact that there is a long rigorous struggle behind every success. Let’s flashback and take a look at the hardships Messi had to encounter on his road to this stunning glory.

Messi’s first big opportunity as a captain was in the FIFA World Cup 2014 when after defeating the Netherlands in the Semi-Final, Argentina reached the Final to face Germany. 

Though it was a tightly contested match, Germany’s Mario Gotze scored a wonderful winning goal in extra time to make Germany the World Champions. Messi, who was so close to fulfilling his dream, suffered in agony. 

That was just the beginning of his misfortunes. Later in Copa America 2015, Argentina managed to reach the Final but suffered a defeat to Chile on penalties and Messi lost another major Final. 

Things went even worse when in the following year in 2016, Argentina once again faced Chile in the Copa America Final. Again, the match went into penalties, and unfortunately, Messi missed his penalty, leading to a humiliating loss for Argentina. Messi’s despair was visible in his cries. 

Football fans definitely remember the FIFA World Cup 2018, when Argentina managed to qualify for the Round of 16 where they faced the in-form France. After a thrilling match, France was the victor and won 4-3, knocking Argentina out of the World Cup.

Yet once again, the defeat in the Semi-Finals of Copa America 2019 further added to the miseries of Lionel Messi.

However, the most inspiring and positive thing about Messi is that he did not give up and worked even harder along with his team. Gradually, Argentina gained form and momentum and their longest unbeaten streak started in 2019. 

The Copa America 2021 seemed promising for Argentina. It was a wonderful campaign by Argentina. They topped the group, defeated Ecuador in the Quarter Finals, Columbia in the Semi-Finals, and Brazil in the Final. Argentina won Copa America after a long time. It was the first major International trophy for Messi. He was named best player of the tournament due to his significant contributions that drove Argentina forward to win the title.

Messi further added the Finalissima to his collection after the 3-0 victory over Italy, in which he was the Man of the Match due to his wonderful playmaking. 

These achievements and the marvelous form of Argentina made them favorites for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This was the last chance for Messi to achieve what he has always dreamed of. There were huge expectations and high hopes in his abilities. Determined more than ever before he was ready with his team to win the World Cup,

Their first game in the group stage was against Saudi Arabia. Argentina was hoping for a good start to their campaign. But, things were not that simple of course. Though from the start, Argentina dominated the possession and had full control of the game after Lionel Messi scored from the spot and gave Argentina an early lead. But then, just after the start of the second half, Saleh Alshehri scored the equalizer. After just 5 minutes, Salem Aldawsari scored a banger and put Saudi Arabia up front. Argentina strived for an equaliser but Saudi Arabia’s wonderful defensive performance led them to victory. It was a major upset for Argentina and their impressive unbeaten run came to a disappointing end. 

Now they had to win their next two games against Mexico and Poland in order to qualify for the Round of 16.

In their game against Mexico, both teams fought very well in the goalless first half. But in the second half, Lionel Messi scored a beautiful goal from 25 yards out and gave Argentina the lead. To finish things off, Enzo Fernandes showed some marvelous footwork and curled the ball into the top corner and Argentina won the match against Mexico 2-0.

In their third game against Poland, the first half ended 0-0. Just seconds into the second half, Mac Allister gave Argentina the lead, followed by a stunning goal by Julian Alvarez and Argentina won 2-0.  Argentina topped the group with 6 points and advanced to the Round of 16 where they faced Australia for a place in the Quarter Finals. 

The game against Australia, being the 1000th of Lionel Messi, was another milestone in his career. Messi, as always, played a central part in the game by giving his team the lead with a splendid goal in the 35th minute. The first half ended and Argentina led by 1 goal. It did not take long for Argentina to double their lead when Julian Alvarez stole the ball from the under-pressure Australian goalkeeper and struck it to the back of the net. Argentina had a comfortable position in the match until Goodwin’s shot was deflected by Enzo Fernandez and hit the bottom right corner of the Argentine goal, leading to an own goal. However, Argentina did not find it challenging to defend and win the game for a place in the quarter-finals with the Netherlands. 

The quarter-final against the Netherlands was a major challenge for Messi’s side as the Netherlands was a strong team with great players. The match kicked off in the Lusail Stadium and it was a clash of two giants. In the first half, both teams had their chances, but the one that made the difference was the goal by Molina assisted by Messi after destroying the Dutch defence with his magical vision. The first half ended and Argentina led 1-0.

In the second half, Argentina once again dominated the possession, and very soon, their lead was doubled when they won a penalty, and Lionel Messi did not make any mistake to find the back of the net and give Argentina a comfortable lead. Argentina had full control of the game until the Dutch substitute, Weghorst scored a towering header in the 83rd minute and gave his team some hope. Argentina defended well to secure their lead, but in the very last minute of the stoppage time, Netherlands won a freekick. It was their last chance to equalise. The Dutch utilised the freekick smartly and Weghorst received a cheeky pass in the box and struck it brilliantly in the back of the net. The level of drama in the stadium was visible in the roars of the Dutch fans. The match went to extra time but it remained 2-2 and the winner had to be decided on penalties. 

In the penalties, Argentina got an early advantage when Emiliano Martinez denied the Dutch skipper with a sensational save. Messi led his team from the front and scored his penalty. Martinez once again made a gorgeous save to deny Berghuis, followed by a thrashing shot in the goal by Paredes. Both teams managed to score their third penalty. Weghorst from the Netherlands scored his penalty while the young Enzo Fernandez put it wide. It had come down to the last penalty. Luuk de Jong from the Netherlands rolled it in the back of the net. In response, Lautauro Martinez finished the game off by scoring his penalty and Argentina finally won after a dramatic quarter-final, all because of the hero, Emiliano Martinez. 

Argentina reached the Semi-Finals where they encountered Croatia. The match started and Croatia dominated the possession and had several chances to score. Argentina had their first big chance that ended in a penalty when the Croatian goalkeeper fouled Julian Alvarez who tried to chip the ball over him. Lionel Messi delivered once again and put Argentina up front by sweeping his penalty into the top right corner. Just minutes after their first goal, Julian Alvarez doubled the lead with a wonderful finish after a marvelous run through the center. The first half ended with Argentina leading by 2 goals to nil. In the second half, Messi showed some magic again and with an outstanding dribble, got past Gvardiol and passed the ball in the way of Alvarez who did not make any mistake in the finish. Messi showed his class once again.

Argentina won 3-0 and reached the Final of the World Cup. Messi was just one victory away from his deeply-desired glory. He just had to defeat the mighty France in the final to get his hands on the World Cup trophy.

The Ultimate game, Argentina vs The Defending Champions France, had arrived. People had pinned high hopes on Lionel Messi. 

The match started in the Lusail Stadium which was thronged by the enthusiastic fans of both sides. Argentina was able to find early momentum. The first massive opportunity of the game came when Argentina won a penalty in the 23rd minute. Lionel Messi did not disappoint and with a cool and calm kick from the spot, gave his team an early lead. 

Their lead was doubled when Argentina scored in a blistering counter attack. Mac Allister rushed the ball forward and made a beautiful pass towards Di Maria whose first-time shot found the back of the net. The stadium echoed with the roars of Argentine fans. 

The first half ended with Argentina in a comfortable dominating position. The same was the case in the second half. Argentina had full control of the game and had several chances. But then, France won a penalty in the 79th minute, and their superstar, Kylian Mbappe hammered it in the back of the net, and French hopes became alive.

After just two minutes, Mbappe scored an outstanding volley from the edge of the box, and just in two minutes, the whole game turned upside down. 

Both teams tried their best to score the winner but the 90 minutes ended at 2-2. The match went into extra time. In the second half of the Extra time, in the 108th minute, Lautauro Martinez’s shot was blocked by Lloris but Messi scored on the rebound and gave his team the lead once again.

But the roller coaster ride did not end as in the 116th minute, France won another penalty when the shot from Mbappe hit Montziel’s arms. The superstar equalized once again and completed his hattrick by firing the ball in the back of the net.

At the very last minute of the extra time, Emiliano Martinez once again saved Argentina with an incredible save at full stretch to deny Kolo Muani’s shot. It was a crucial moment at this point of the game. This was the end of the Extra time and the winner had to be decided on penalties.

Mbappe took the first penalty and again, rattled it in. In response, Lionel Messi stepped up to lead his team from the front and found the back of the net with a cheeky strike. Kingsley Coman’s penalty was brilliantly denied by the mighty Emi Martinez. Paulo Dybala did not disappoint his teammates and struck the ball in the middle of the net. Tchuameni’s wide shot made the situation even worse for France, but worthwhile for Argentina. Leonardo Paredes made it 3-1 for Argentina. Kolo Muani managed to score for France but it was too far, too late for them as Montiel flawlessly found the back of the net. Argentina had won the World Cup, and Messi had won the World Cup. 

The celebrations began, the fans roared and Lionel Messi finally achieved the biggest achievement of his career. Argentina dominated the awards. Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball, making him the only player to win 2 Golden Balls in World Cup history. 

Enzo Fernandez of Argentina won the award for the young player of the tournament with an impressive performance throughout the tournament and Emiliano Martinez, the savior of Argentina, won the golden glove due to his decisive performance throughout the tournament. Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 8 goals. Lionel Messi lifted the trophy for Argentina with great pride and honor. 

After clinching the elusive title in such a remarkable game. Lionel Messi’s collection is now finally complete as he has become the footballer with the most comprehensive and decorated career of all time, making him the greatest in football history.