For a man who played 1003 games, scored 793 goals, and won seven Ballon dโOr awards, it was sometimes perplexing that for many football fans, Lionel Messiโs greatness is defined by one title that eluded him for a long time.
Perhaps that is what the Football World Cup is all about. It has an irresistible allure that bridges the divide caused by club football.
Lionel Messi fulfilled a long-held dream of his and his legions of fans who transcend geographical and political divides by helping Argentina win the FIFA World Cup for the third time.
Argentinaโs hard-fought 4-2 wins in penalties not only ended their 36-year wait but also sealed Messiโs legacy as one of the greatest players of the game โ if not the greatest player.
With Cristiano Ronaldo virtually consumed by his passion โ and his desire to be the best โ the stage is now set for the generation next to begin the quest for the next G.O.A.T.
And one need not look far, as Franceโs Kylian Mbappe showed he is undoubtedly far ahead of his competition. Despite a largely indifferent performance in the final, Mbappeโs hat trick kept defending champion Franceโs hopes of a second consecutive title alive, and threatened to derail his PSG teammateโs quest for immortality.
Undoubtedly, Mbappe will resume his quest for glory soon, on Sunday, his hattrick ensured a 2-2 draw after the regulation time, which settled with a 3-3 draw after the extra time at the Lusail stadium.
Though Mbappeโs one-man show helped him come out of Messiโs shadow, it could not overshadow the Argentineโs sublime performance in the tournament.
Earlier, Argentinaโs bright start was rewarded when Messi gave them the lead with yet another goal from the penalty spot. Messi kept his calm as he beat his French counterpart Hugo Lloris from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Ousmane Dembele made contact with Angel Di Maria in the box.
After creating an opportunity for his skipper, Di Maria swung into action with a sublime performance that helped Argentina to a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute.
Stunned, particularly by his frontline, which had some excellent performances in the tournament but failed to find a shot on target in the first half, French coach Didier Deschamps made a double change before half-time, bringing in Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.
The decision to replace in-form Oliver Giroud and Ousmane Dembele had a telling impact on France, but their struggle continued.
After some struggle in the second half, Franceโs fortunes turned when Argentine veteran Nicolas Otamendi dragged down Kolo Muani and Mbappe stepped in to close the gap from the start.
The goal appeared to have triggered a new vigour as Mbappe levelled up moments later with a powerful volley from Marcus Thuramโs pass.
Argentina appeared to have won it in extra time when Messi reacted quickest to a saved Lautaro Martinez attempt, but his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe equalises through a penalty after his shot hit Gonzalo Montiel on the arm.
In the resultant shootout, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Comanโs attempt and saw Aurelien Tchouameni fire wide. Montiel converted the winning spot-kick to clinch a 4-2 shoot-out victory for Argentina at the end of a thriller.
