For twenty years, we have watched Leo Messi doing impossible things during his career as a soccer player. He started as early as a teenager, seemingly with everything in mind: goals, titles, recognition. But no matter how many collaborations Messi had with popular slots and how much fans loved his performance, people always asked him to win the World Cup. It was the one trophy he had never achieved.
On December 18, 2022, in Qatar, the boyhood dream came true. It is scary to think how close he had been and how hard it was to rise again after each final he ever participated in. But then, in the final against France, in the most dramatic moment in the tournament’s history, Messi finally achieved what he had been working toward his entire life. That day did not just mark the end of the «who is the greatest» debate. It made his story complete and put an end to a debate that had lasted an entire generation.
A Long Way To Glory
It is hard to say the road to World Cup glory was easy, as it eluded Argentina time and time again. In 2014, they came closest to winning the title, but ultimately lost to Germany in the final, never lifting the coveted trophy. Of course, this was precisely the aspect that allowed Messi to be criticized, as it seemed he would never achieve the coveted trophy in his career.
But the stars aligned when Argentina reached the 2022 World Cup final against France. An incredibly eventful occasion, in which Leo scored twice despite facing opposition from his PSG teammate Mbappé. Nothing in that moment could stop Messi from achieving an achievement he will remember for the rest of his life.
It Is Not a Dream No More
Before the Qatar World Cup, Messi was already named one of the most unique soccer players to ever live and achieved the legendary status on par with Ronaldo. But the lack of a World Cup was haunting Leo as he wanted to finally win it to get the weight of legacy off his chest. In soccer, where greatness is often measured by that trophy, this was noticeable.
Argentina’s victory in 2022 was a pinnacle. Messi became the first player to score in every knockout round of a single World Cup. Thanks to seven goals and three assists in just seven matches, he also managed to once again obtain the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament. Finally, no one could say he was a failure on the international level. For Argentina, it was the first World Cup since Maradona’s legendary performance in 1986. For Messi, it was the moment that crowned a career full of brilliance, tenacity, and unexpected twists.
The Greatest Victory To Witness Live
Can one overstate the moment Messi created in 2022? After all, he achieved a victory that fans had been waiting for decades! Spectators were allowed to witness firsthand an event that may never be repeated. It was the final achievement in a career that was the stuff of legends even before it ended. Despite this victory, Leo continues to make his fans happy while playing in American leagues. It is fair to say that for Messi, it was an opportunity to realize a childhood dream, and for the spectators, a unique experience they could share with friends and family.
The win of the 2022 World Cup was important for Qatar, because people all over the world have been talking about Messi’s achievement, generating millions of views on social media content. Photos of Messi in a bisma, a traditional Qatari cloak, went viral on social media and will forever remain part of Messi's image as a champion, despite the ongoing controversy over the politics of the tournament.
The Legacy Lives On
This victory was not just a number written on a wall of honor, but an opportunity to forge a new path in his career. When it seemed the season was drawing to a close and Messi had nothing new to offer, he proved to his haters that it was too early to write off the old man. He didn't appear arrogant, but rather like a happy man who had realized a seemingly impossible dream.
His name can now officially be placed alongside:
-
Maradona.
-
Pelé.
-
Ronaldo.
Future generations will watch the highlights from Qatar, knowing they missed the opportunity to witness a true legend in action. At the very least, the December 2022 match perfectly represents the best of Messi's career. There is no better proof that Messi is worthy of the legacy he has been credited with for the past twenty years. Of course, new stars will emerge, but it's far from certain that they'll achieve even half the victories Leo has achieved.