By Arvind Chhipa
I still remember that terrible day when Messi announced his retirement after losing four consecutive finals with Argentina. "For me, the national team is over; I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion. It’s been four finals; it’s not meant for me. It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn't get it, so I think it's over," he said after the defeat against Chile in the Copa America final in 2016. He missed the penalty in the shootouts. He was devastated. I never saw him like that. He didn't cry after the 2014 World Cup final loss; he carried the pain within him. He's always been the guy who doesn't express much. But who would not have broken after coming so close to winning a trophy for his national side, but missing it, not once, not twice, but four times?
I used to ask myself, "Can anybody be unluckier than that?" Maybe he spoke out of frustration, but after the announcement, the world came to know how much a player could mean to a country and its people. The Argentine president spoke to Messi on the phone to convince him to return to the national team. Following his announcement, there was a massive outpouring of support on social media and tens of thousands of fans holding banners that read, "Don't go Messi." Who in this world could refuse that amount of love, value, and respect? Thankfully, he took a U-turn. "A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final, and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great. I hope that we'll be able to give them something to cheer about soon," Messi said after coming out of retirement.
Oh my God, if he hadn't done so, we wouldn't be here to witness this fairytale. First the Copa America 2021, then the Finalissima 2022, and then the dream of his life, the World Cup, finally came true. Won three consecutive finals, going from starting the World Cup with an upset by losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia to reaching the final. What a historical final it was. After Kylian Mbappé's second goal, my heartbeat and body temperature changed, and the loud shouting went into an abrupt silence. That incredible save from Emiliano Martinez in the 120+3rd minute. The match went to shootouts, Messi and Dybala's scary penalties, Gonzalo Montiel hitting the winning penalty, and Messi falling down on his knees. Everybody ran towards him to celebrate this moment with him. It still feels surreal. I was on cloud nine. The happiness and joy of that moment can't be described in words. If we were that much happy, then I can't imagine how happy he would have felt, and how happy Argentina would have felt. From 2014 to 2022, 8 years have passed since Argentina lost the World Cup final, or 8 years since he crossed that trophy from so close yet so far that he couldn't touch it. And 8 years later he takes it home. Argentina won the FIFA World Cup after 36 years. In 2016, when Messi was asked which he would choose between his five Ballon d'Ors and one World Cup, he said, “Obviously the World Cup. Definitely.”
After the loss against Saudi Arabia in their first match, Argentina's game against Mexico in the second group stage was attended by 88,966 spectators, the largest attendance at a World Cup match in 28 years. The Argentineans have been the best fan base at this World Cup. However, they weren't the only ones rooting for Argentina; millions of people all across the world wanted Argentina to win, if only for one man, Lionel Messi. It felt as if the whole universe was trying to witness it.
I admire him not just because he is an unbelievably talented player; there are many great footballers in this world. I admire him because of his humble nature. Once, when he was asked if he Is The Greatest In History, he said, "I never set out to be the best player in history. I think I'm just another footballer. On the pitch, we are all the same, and when the game starts, I always try to improve myself. My intention is that when I retire, I will be remembered for being a good person."
At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a rare disease called Growth Hormone Deficiency. He had to inject growth hormones into his leg each night. However, the cost of the treatment was too high, and his family was struggling to continue to afford the hormone injections. At that time, he was signed by FC Barcelona club at the age of 13. Post this contract, the club sponsored his treatment. This condition doesn't allow the body to grow as it should according to age. It affected Messi’s playing ability largely. Despite this contradiction, he fought hard and overcame it. He has set an example for millions of people around the world that, no matter what, never stop pursuing your dreams. Messi once said, pointing to his Barcelona debut in 2004, "I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year. It took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success."
I started watching Messi in 2011 and eventually became a die-hard fan. Throughout my schooling, I did everything from writing his name on my shirts and buying his shirts to talking about him all the time—from collecting his photos for my scrapbook to watching his videos. And from being a right-footed player to learning to play with my left foot just because Messi is left-footed, Sounds crazy, right? Well, I wouldn't deny that.
After winning the World Cup final, Messi told TyC Sports, "I just said that God was going to give it to me. I was sure, I had a feeling that this was the moment. We suffered a lot, but now it's time to enjoy it. I wanted to close my career with this. I can’t ask for anything anymore. I thank God for giving me everything. Nothing else I will do will be as great as this. Winning Copa America, the World Cup. For all the struggles I had throughout my career, it was given to me almost at the end." Messi’s wife Antonella, whom he met when he was 9 years old, has always stood by him throughout his life since then.
From seeing him win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for four consecutive years to seeing him lose four consecutive finals with Argentina. From seeing his remarkable success with Barcelona to seeing Argentina fans criticising and questioning him for not winning anything for his country and always comparing him with Maradona. Like millions of others, I have also seen it all. How desperately he wanted to win trophies for his country, especially the World Cup. It was meant for him, but maybe it wasn’t meant for him to win it so easily. It has never been easy for him. And that’s why, after finally seeing him win that trophy, the journey from his childhood disease to where he is standing today. It all ran through my mind like a hyperlapse film. My eyes filled with tears, and I could only say one thing: "Today, I cry with you."
By Arvind Chhipa
Comments