By Isaac Akugizibwe,
WORLD CUP 2022
Argentina survived a late scare to beat France 4-2 in penalities and win the 2022 FIFA World cup in Qatar. Inspired by captain Lionel Messi,the Albiceleste needed another heroic spotkick display from goal keeper Emiliano Martinez as who saved one and saw one go off target as his team scored all their chances.
France attempted a come back twice all through Kylian Mbappe, coming from 2-0 down to level before full-time and again equalising through Mbappe’s second penalty of the night ,one that cancelled Messi’s goal early in the second half of extra-time.
Messi celebrated his second goal of night with hope that he had won it for Argentina at the most difficult of times only for Mbappe to happen again. Mbappe’s penalty took the game to yet another edge ensuring the 120 minutes ended 3-3. It had to be decided in spotkicks.
This was arguably the greatest World cup final ever and while it all appeared that everytime,Messi was about to start his Goat crowning, Mbappe would come from nowhere and delay it but when it came to spot kicks, it was Emiliano Martinez’s to ensure that there was no other halt to the Goat’s crowning
The FIFA world cup was the only thing missing in Messi’s impressive collection and now that he is a champion, the overall consensus is that, the Argentina captain is way above the rest. That the debate of who is the greatest footballer of all time is now fully settled.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated World football in the last decade or so with each winning enormous accolades as well as setting somewhat unthinkable records that have since divided the football world into two camps. The competition between the two saw the emergence of one the most radical debates between football analysts, pundits and fans world over. The fans’ or people’s court, social media has now resolved that Messi is the greatest of all time.
Messi’s goals in the final made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament as he also won the FIFA golden ball for the second time in his career after winning the one in Brazil 2014.
Excited Argentina fans who spoke to journalists after their team’s crowning at the Iconic Lusail stadium in Qatar said that Messi is the greatest player of all time but declined to give a decisive answer on whether he is greater than legend Diego Maradona who like Messi single handedly won the 1986 World Cup for Argentina.
Social media is a wash of calls to have the Messi vs Ronaldo comparison closed with many people insisting that Messi is now. Nevertheless, this debate is likely to continue especially with some soccer fans and experts yet to declare Messi as the greatest of all time.
For some, no one will ever surpass Pele, who won the World Cup three times with Brazil.
Messi has been his country’s inspiration throughout the tournament in Qatar and scored twice in the game that finished 3-3 through extra time.
He has now surpassed Pele with 13 goals at World Cups and is tied for fourth with France’s Just Fontaine on the all-time list. His seven in this year’s tournament surpassed Maradona’s five at the 1986 edition in Mexico.
The PSG forward has now scored a national team-record 98 goals in 172 games. That places him third in the all-time scoring list for men’s internationals, behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (118) and Ali Daei (109).
Though Kylian Mbappe appeared to ruin the party, Messi worked for a golden trophy that had eluded him throughout his storied career. The France forward scored a hat trick as the defending champions came back from 2-0 down and then evened the match again after Messi made it 3-2 in extra time.
This was truly Messi’s night and the 2022 FIFA world cup will eventually be known as Messi’s World Cup.
“It took so long, but here it is,” Messi said in a post match interview. “We suffered a lot, but we managed to do it.” he added.
Messi’s failure to win football’s biggest prize has always counted against him when measuring his achievements against Pele and Maradona. The same goes for Ronaldo.
The golden boy from Rozario is a seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world and lifted club soccer’s biggest prize, the Champions League trophy, on four occasions. He ended his wait for a first major trophy with his country at last year’s Copa America beating Brazil in Maracana.
“Look at this cup. It is beautiful. We suffered a lot but we made it. We can't wait to be in Argentina and to see how crazy it's going to be.”
“I am not retiring from the Argentina national team. I want to continue playing as a champion.” Messi#FIFAWorldCup #ArgentinaVsFrance pic.twitter.com/1qnpSbcoaa
— Parrots UG (@parrotsug) December 19, 2022
The World Cup, however, is considered the ultimate measure of greatness and Pele and Maradona secured immortality with inspirational performances on that stage where Messi is on it now. Given his achievements,the longevity,skill, brilliance and professionalism can afford an assured seat with pele and Maradona,the Greatest footballers of all times.
