How Messi won world cup

PaidForArticle

How

HAS MESSI EVER WON A WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA?

Messi had yet to win a World Cup for Argentina prior to Qatar, but he has now rectified that. The closest he had come was in 2014, when his team lost in the final to Germany in a rematch of the 1990 final, which featured Maradona. Of course, Maradona and Argentina also fell short on that occasion.

Following the 2014 final in Brazil, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player after finishing joint-third in goal scoring with four goals and an assist, while also creating the most chances of any individual player. Given the circumstances, that will have been of little consolation.

IS THIS ARGENTINA'S LAST WORLD CUP?

Yes. Messi revealed after Argentina's victory over Croatia that the World Cup final in Doha would be his final game, admitting he couldn't see himself competing in the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"There are many years between this year and the next. That is something I doubt I will be able to do. This method of finishing is brilliant, "Messi stated.

The same is likely to be true for legendary rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Portugal team was eliminated in the quarter-finals. This tournament has already been a bitter disappointment for Ronaldo, who was dropped ahead of Portugal's last-16 match, with Morocco then sending them packing.

WHAT WAS THE REACTION TO MESSI'S HEROIC PERFORMANCES DURING THE TOURNAMENT?

Gary Neville of ITV was among those praising Messi after his stunning semi-final performance against Croatia, particularly his assist for Alvarez's second goal.

"What fascinates me is that Guardiola is 13, 14 stone, and he's rag dolling him." Neville explained.

"He [Messi] was going past people, and you're not coming back twelve years ago; now he's doing it in different ways.

"The way he's playing, it feels like a mission." "The rest of his teammates are putting in a massive shift for him, and that's what he needs."

After a similarly impressive performance against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, former England internationals Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand waxed lyrical about Messi after his sublime pass to put Argentina 1-0 ahead.

Messi found a fantastic reverse pass to full-back Molina, who took a touch and fired home. The BBC studio panel was in awe of Messi's pass as they watched the replays at halftime.

He [Lionel Messi] has made a difference at the highest level for the last 15 years, Ferdinand said.

"When it comes to defining games, he is the man to call."

I've always said it's like he watches the game from above while actually playing it, Linker added.

Pablo Zabaleta, a former Manchester City and Argentina full-back, joined them in the studio. He explained that Messi is a different player at this point in his illustrious career, but no less dangerous.

"When I said I was confident before the game, it was because we had Lionel Messi on the field. He is the only one who has the power to make things happen. His pass was incredible.

He was also awarded the Golden Ball, which is given to the 'Player of the Tournament,' becoming the first player to do so, having previously won the award in 2014 when Argentina lost in the final to Germany. Following the 2014 final in Brazil, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player after finishing joint-third in goal scoring with four goals and an assist, while also creating the most chances of any individual player. Given the circumstances, that will have been of little consolation.