The narrative surrounding Lionel Messi during the World Cup in Qatar felt like an epic saga coming to a close. This was the climactic chapter in a career filled with comparisons to Diego Maradona, whose life was marked by dramatic highs and lows—addiction, injury, controversies, and triumphs. In contrast, Messi’s story has been relatively straightforward: a prodigious talent who consistently excelled over two decades, accumulating titles. Although he experienced moments of frustration and doubt, he never faced the tumultuous struggles that characterized Maradona’s life.
Qatar introduced an intriguing layer of drama. Messi, fueled by a desire for more than just club accolades, emerged as a true leader, having shaken off his natural reticence to inspire his team. His journey to the Copa América victory in Brazil the year before had already showcased his evolution. After Argentina’s quarter-final win against the Netherlands, Messi’s fiery retort to Wout Weghorst—”Que mira, bobo?”—was seen as the quiet star finally stepping into the spotlight, even if the phrase was somewhat juvenile. The question loomed large: could this be the year Messi finally claimed the World Cup trophy in what many presumed would be his last tournament appearance?
The circle felt complete in Qatar. It was here in 1995 that Argentina first captured one of their five Under-20 World Cups, a feat achieved under the guidance of José Pékerman and Hugo Tocalli. Lionel Scaloni, the current coach, was part of that initial squad, as were two of his assistants, Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar. Messi had played in the last of those tournaments in 2007, alongside teammates like Papu Gómez and Ángel Di María, who had participated in earlier editions. The legacy of Pékerman and Tocalli seemed to resonate through the current team, amplified by the fear that their historic success at the youth level might not translate to the senior stage. What had begun in Qatar appeared to culminate gloriously there.
If Messi had been solely driven by the narrative, he could have shrugged off the bisht placed over his shoulders during the trophy ceremony and announced his retirement. He could have taken a victory lap, reminiscent of Maradona’s iconic celebration in 1986. That would have been the perfect ending, a fitting close to a remarkable journey.
However, it adds an element of intrigue that four years later, Argentina is gearing up for yet another World Cup with Messi at the helm. He has defied the expected narrative, seemingly destined for more than just a final farewell. At nearly 39 during the tournament, he will be the oldest Argentine to compete at the World Cup, although he will only rank as the tenth oldest player in the tournament held across the US, Mexico, and Canada. There’s a substantial risk that his departure could mirror the disappointing endings of previous World Cups for Argentina.
Yet, the possibility of triumph remains. Could Messi achieve the impossible once more? To the casual observer, it might seem he has nothing left to prove, that he should now relax or pursue a different path, be it coaching, commentary, or another endeavor. Elite athletes often possess an irrational self-belief that drives them to achieve the extraordinary. Perhaps Messi still dreams of leading Argentina to yet another championship.
Having lived in the shadow of Maradona for so long, enduring constant comparisons that questioned his ability to replicate Maradona’s World Cup success, could Messi ascend to a new height by winning it twice? Is there a scenario where Argentinians, gathered around the asado, would acknowledge that despite Diego’s greatness, he only clinched the World Cup once?
But how feasible is this dream? Messi appeared to struggle in Qatar, often lingering on the fringes of matches, manifesting moments of brilliance before retreating into the background. Rodrigo De Paul effectively became Messi’s legs, with Inter Miami later signing him to perform a similar role in MLS. Teammates Julián Alvarez and Enzo Fernández also did their part to support him. Yet, once it’s accepted that a player is no longer capable of running as they once did, minor declines in physical ability might not be as critical. Operating from the shadows, Messi could still pose a threat without clogging the central play.
In the lead-up to the last World Cup, Messi was still performing at a commendable level. In the half-season preceding the tournament, he featured in 13 Ligue 1 matches and five Champions League games. This year, he has played 14 matches in MLS and two in the Concacaf Champions League, numbers that seem comparable. However, while familiarity with conditions might be advantageous, the competitive level is not on par with that of France’s top league. Nevertheless, Messi has continued to deliver for Argentina, contributing significantly during the last Copa América and in subsequent qualifiers and friendlies.
Is he prepared for this challenge? Only time will tell. There’s a lingering fear that Messi might become a shadow of his former self, a mere reminder of his past achievements. The anxiety that accompanies contemplating retirement and legacy is real, as athletes grapple with the idea of overstaying their welcome, fearful of losing their purpose.
What lies ahead for Messi? His enigmatic persona makes it difficult to ascertain whether he possesses any interest in coaching, commentary, or similar pursuits. If his future entails a series of promotional appearances and endless gaming sessions, it’s understandable that he may hesitate to face the end of his playing career.
Yet, perhaps projecting the expectations of ordinary individuals onto Messi is misguided; his journey defies conventional norms. While Qatar felt like the peak of his story, it might merely be the first act in an even grander narrative. The possibility remains that he could indeed secure a second World Cup victory.
