It is difficult to erase an event from two years ago from the pages of memory. And if it is something like rising to the top of success, then it remains incorruptible for a long time, it can be said for life. December 18 will be unforgettable in the life of Lionel Messi. On this day of 2022, he took his name in the book of immortality. His only failure to excel was at the Lusail Stadium in Doha. Argentina broke a World Cup trophy drought of almost four decades by defeating France in a thrilling final. It can be said that on this day football paid its debt, football was fulfilled.
The 2022 World Cup started with an exception. For the first time, the fight to be the world's best was organized in winter. As always, this time the mercury of expectations skyrocketed, Argentina went on a mission for the third trophy. Messi ended his international trophy drought by winning the Copa America the year before. A mountain of pressure may have fallen from the chest. But in the mind was the discomfort of not being able to touch a World Cup trophy.
It was assumed that Messi was going to play the last World Cup. His detractors might have wanted him to taste the world champion. But at the beginning, Argentina got off their feet. Saudi Arabia gave them the biggest surprise of the World Cup by beating them.
The stumbling seemed to make Argentina even more nervous, even Messi. He also became young with the touch of youth. LMten was the first player to score in every match from the group stage to the knockout stage.
The intensity of the final was heightened by the match against defending champions France, with the Messi-Mbappe duel in particular taking the match to another level.
Angel Di Maria took the first penalty. After hitting the net for the first time in the match, Messi became the only player to score in the group stage, last sixteen, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
A few minutes later, Argentina scored the best goal of the World Cup. In a team effort, Di Maria took the pass from Alexis McAllister and gave the team a 2-0 lead.
Argentina took control of the match. But the match took a dramatic turn when France scored two goals within a minute and a half. Mbappe hit the back of the net twice, the first from the penalty spot, ten minutes from time.
The match goes to extra time. Messi again led the team to 3-2. But Mbappe scored a second penalty to make the score 3-3. France almost scored the winner seconds before the end of the match, but Randall Kolo Muani's shot at goal was blocked by Emiliano Martinez with an incredible effort, which later became known as an iconic save.
The match then went into a tiebreaker when Lautaro Martinez's header went wide of the goal and Mbappe's shot was cleared by Paulo Dybala.
Martinez performed heroically in the penalty shootout. Hands wrapped in gloves stood like a solid wall that day. Kingsley Coman was blocked by the Argentine keeper. Aurelien Schuomeni hits the ball past the goal. In these two misses, Messi's World Cup win is a matter of time. Montiel, who was behind the penalty in France's third goal, shook the net with the last shot, a historic epic was written in the 4-2 victory. Team-mates celebrating around Messi, coach Lionel Scaloni trying hard to hold back tears are still vivid in the memory. As if not two years, this happened a few days ago!
And after a year and a half another World Cup. 2026 season to be held in USA, Mexico and Canada. Now a question is swirling – will Messi play in the swing of uncertainty in the mission to retain the title! The Inter Miami forward is in the prime of his career. But the magic of his feet is still the same as before. However, Messi scored only one goal and one assist in the second Copa America title. But his presence inspired the young team as always. The team did not let him down even though he was knocked out with an ankle injury in the final. Argentina became the first team since Spain to win three consecutive major trophies.
The three-time world champions are also in a good position in the World Cup qualifiers. Although there are only two wins in the last five matches, one loss and one draw! Argentina lead with 25 points from 12 matches, five points behind second-placed Uruguay. The most important thing is that Messi is the top scorer in this selection with five goals. Even if he is still in the midst of uncertainty, where is the fault in hoping to see him in the next World Cup!
