FIFA WC 2022 Finals : Whispers of a History in Making

FIFA WC 2022 Finals : Whispers of a History in Making


I am not a passionate football lover. Our love for football may have various contours. But most of us casually follow all the big leagues - EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1....

And for most of us, this interest is rekindled primarily to follow some of the superstars of the game; like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and a few more. 

And among this melee of super stars in last decade or so, no one has inspired more viewers and generated more interest worldwide than the duo of Messi and Ronaldo. 

Who is better, is for history to decide. The legend of Pele got created not in his formative years in 60s. He was a rollicking footballer in 60s, but legends are made generally after you retire. Ditto with Diego Maradona.

So when Messi and Ronaldo hang their boots, a lot more will be written about them. 

It's like the Pete Sampras vs Andre Agassi in 90s. It's like Roger Federer vs Raphael Nadal of 2000s. The world saw when Nadal openly cried as Federar played his last match. But unlike Tennis rivalries, where individuals are pitted against each other, football is a team game and your legend gets embedded only by team achievements.

And so despite Messi and Ronaldo sharing 12 of the last 14 Ballon d'or awards (Modric and Benzema being the other two), it is the team achievements which count for your legacy to be left behind.... So let's take a look at their Resume in terms of major team achievements...


Club Goals : Messi - 695, Ronaldo - 701

League Titles : Messi - 10; Ronaldo - 7

UEFA Champions League : Messi - 4; Ronaldo - 5

Club World Cup : Messi - 3; Ronaldo - 4

Continental Titles : Messi - 1 (Copa); Ronaldo - 1 (Euro)


So there is hardly anything to differentiate between the two in terms of achievements.

But there is one glaring omission here. Both of them do not have a FIFA WC Trophy in their CV. 

Argentina and Messi came close in 2014... till the Germans deceived them in the Finals by the smallest margin.

And here is where the Legend needs to be created this time in FIFA 2022.... for eternal footballing folklore.

Portugal and Ronaldo have already boarded their flight back home. 

And so our choice of settling down the GOAT debate has narrowed down....  to Messi.... And that brings a coveted context to the impending Finals on Sunday...

Argentina are in the Finals once again... their sixth overall.... And Messi is in sublime touch.

This has already been most productive of all 5 WCs for Messi in terms of goals and assists.

He has already overtaken Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all time highest scorer in FIFA WCs.

Sunday is going to be Messi's last WC game.

...... But standing in the way of a fairytale ending are the defending FIFA Champions. France has looked the most complete side in the tournament... firm favourites; and that too without the services of their two superstars Karim Benzema and Paul Pogba. Imagine the historical waves that a French win will create.... Only the third team in history (after Italy and Brazil) to successfully defend their title;;; Didier Deschamps will become only the second manager in history to win FIFA twice...

If Argentina loses the Finals, Messi will still end up with a high of having played his last WC match in a Final. None of his achievements will get undermined. But the ultimate crowning glory will be missing...

But if La Albiceleste make it their night, it will be much more than their 3rd FIFA Crown...

It will create the legend of Messi for times immemorial... 

It will arguably settle the GOAT debate forever.... 

And Maradona will silently and peacefully turn in his grave, for having deservedly handed over the baton of "God of Argentine Football" forever...

Do we hear the whispers of a once in a generation moment here ???


So on this Sunday, lets all be a part of it.... For Messi... 

And for purists, lets all be a part of it for Football...

Credits : Images courtesy World Wide Web

Epilogue
While this blog was posted on 15 Dec 2022, the Legend indeed got created three nights later as Argentina defeated France in arguably the most intense of all FIFA WC Finals.


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