Don’t cry for me, Argentina!

Doha: ‘Don’t cry for me, Argentina…’ sang Madonna. But on Sunday night Argentina cried; so did the rest of the world…for one man – his name is Lionel Andrés Messi or Leo Messi as he is widely known. 

The tears, shed in unison in America, Africa, Asia and Europe, were tears of joy, the unmanageable ones people shed when they experience emotions so intense. Millions, barring diehard supporters of France, wished magician Messi a perfect swansong to his illustrious footballing career. A World Cup trophy would have been the perfect sendoff gift for the 35-year-old maestro.

If Messi was born for football or the game of football was invented for him is unclear. But one thing is clear - if the Qatar 2022 World Cup final which Argentina won against France in a heart-stopping penalty shootout is the greatest story ever told on a football pitch, Messi is its protagonist.

Messi scored Argentina’s opener from the penalty spot, making him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single tournament. Then he helped to create Angel di Maria’s second. Messi again put Argentina in front after a Kylian Mbappe- inspired France had equalized. He finally slotted in a crucial spot-kick in the ensuing shootout. 

“Obviously I wanted to close my career with this, I can’t ask for anything anymore. Thank God, he gave me everything. Closing almost my career like this, it’s incredible,” Messi told TyC Sports after the gruelling final. 

The elusive World Cup trophy was not offered to Messi on a platter. He had to work hard for it, stretching himself perhaps beyond his limits. 

For the first hour or so it looked as if Argentina would be runaway winners as France looked off colour. By that time Messi also looked destined for the Golden Boot – offered to the highest goal scorer. 

But soon a young usurper rose, determined to spoil Messi’s party. Messi knew he had to withstand the assault, show unyielding courage not to upset his teammates and not think of resting his ageing limbs. He had to be there… as both teams traded goal after goal, reminiscent of a boxing bout.

Messi saw the young rival mercilessly stole his chance to take possession of the ‘Boot’ but it was necessary for him to avoid the knockout punch that would have dealt a deathblow to his and his country’s bid to win the coveted World Cup trophy – his first and his country’s third. Finally, Messi was there to guide his young-look team in the sudden-death situation to emerge victorious. Bruised and battered, but victorious as World Champions.

Messi also picked up the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, and became the first player to win it twice since it was introduced in 1982, after also winning the honour in 2014.

“After this, what will there be? I was able to get the Copa America, World Cup… It came to me almost at the end,” Messi said.

“I enjoy being in the national team, the group, I want to continue living a few more games being world champion.

“It’s every little kid’s dream, I was lucky to have achieved everything and what I was missing is here.”

Messi’s rise from humble beginnings to fame and stardom that culminated in him getting his hands on the glittering World Cup is a story for ages. 

He was born to working class parents in central Argentina and grew up in a football loving family and played for a local club from the age of four – coached by his father while maternal grandmother accompanied him to training and matches.  His celebration of goals by looking up and pointing to the sky is a tribute to his grandmother who died when he was 11. 

However, his future as a professional player was threatened when, aged 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency (GHD). The treatment cost was at least $1,000 per month and soon his father found it difficult to afford it. Luckily for Messi Spanish club Barcelona which saw his huge potential came to his rescue as it agreed to pay for his treatment. He stuck with Barcelona for almost 20 years before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

The rest as they say is history but Messi wrote an unbelievable story in three decades of his glittering career – he won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes; with Barcelona he won a club-record 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. With his country, he won an Olympic gold medal and 2021 Copa América. 

Until Sunday night a World Cup victory was the missing accolade. 

The triumph will also put paid to the unending debate if Messi is the GOAT (greatest of all times). The scale had tilted heavily towards Brazilian great Pele and Argentina’s superstar Maradona as they had won the World Cup. Now Messi has joined that illustrious club and his nearest rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are doubtful to achieve this singular extraordinary feat. 

After Sunday’s World Cup victory Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said if he needs Messi can continue to play for his country. And Messi himself hinted that he wants to play a few more games for Argentina. 

“I think we should keep the number 10 jersey prepared for the next World Cup if he (Messi) feels like playing,” Scaloni told a news conference.

“He earned the right to do whatever he wants with his career. What he transmits to his team mates is incredible. I have never seen such an influential person in the changing room.”

After Argentina’s semifinal win over Croatia, one Argentine journalist from national broadcaster TVP decided to give Messi a message (perhaps on behalf of the whole world).

“The World Cup final is coming and, of course, all Argentines want to win, but I just wanted to tell you that no matter the result, there’s something that nobody can take away from you and that is that you have touched every single one of us,” Sofia Martinez said.

“There is no child that doesn’t have your jersey, be it authentic or a fake, truly you have touched everyone’s lives and that, for me, is bigger than winning a World Cup. Nobody can take that away from you.”

Going back to Madonna’s song… Argentina and the rest of the world should not shed tears of sadness for Messi. Tears of joy are more than welcome.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina
The truth is, I never left you
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don’t keep your distance
And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions, they’re not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you, and hope you love me
Don’t cry for me, Argentina
(From Don’t Cry for Me Argentina)