Messi is now carrying the hopes and dreams of every Argentinian, but he also has a chance to cement an individual milestone.
The little boy from Rosario, Argentina will have another shot at the one trophy that has eluded him so far in his career.
As the 2022 FIFA World Cup reaches its end, millions of football fans across the globe will focus their attention on Lionel Messi as he tries to bring home the trophy back to Argentina after 36 years.
In 2021, Messi helped Argentina win the Copa América, their first international title in 28 years, and in 2022, he has proven that he is the most important player on the pitch for Argentina as they advance to the World Cup final against France, the defending champions.
But Messi winning the World Cup trophy isn't just about bringing pride to Argentina, it’s also about him cementing his place as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — to ever grace the football field.
For the longest time, people have been debating about the Greatest Player of All Time (GOAT) in football. Some would say it’s Diego Maradona, others would say it’s Pele. In recent years, many have argued that Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi, both of whom have won numerous individual awards and accolades, actually lead the GOAT conversation.
But if Messi wins the World Cup, it seems like the debate on who the greatest is may finally end. That, however, remains a big "if" as France is also vying for greatness. The Kylian Mbappe-led squad has a chance to be the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
As for Messi, the 36-year-old Argentina captain took to Instagram to share that he is ready for the World Cup final versus France.
The post, a sponsored partnership with a sports brand, said “Estoy Listo. Vamos Argentina.” This translates to “I’m ready. Let’s go Argentina.”
Will the world finally see Messi lift the World Cup trophy? Or will France continue its dominance in football’s biggest tournament?