Kolkata: It all started with a wayward pass and might conclude with a free kick directed to Spain’s Unai Simon. Over the span of 20 years and through six tournaments of the world’s premier sporting event, Lionel Messi has crafted an extraordinary World Cup legacy, with his finest moments occurring after he reached the age of 35.
Event Context
Lionel Messi has experienced a remarkable resurgence late in his career. Initially known for his Olympic gold medal, he faced scrutiny for perceived shortcomings with the national team, including three consecutive final match losses and a brief retirement. Since 2021, however, he has claimed nearly every title available in international football. Messi shares the record of participating in three World Cup finals with Cafu, and he is the only player to win the Golden Ball twice.
During the 2026 finals, Messi was a contender for the Golden Boot—an accolade that would have eluded him had he ended his World Cup journey at the stadium where he stepped away from international play in 2016. This did not diminish the legacy he built throughout the tournament.
His World Cup chapter may conclude in a nation synonymous with Diego Maradona. A banner displayed at Metlife Stadium illustrated the bond between the two legends, portraying them together with the captain’s armband and the World Cup trophy, captioned: “Simbiosis.”
Messi’s struggles peaked during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where Argentina struggled under coach Jorge Sampaoli. However, by the time of the first World Cup held in an Arab country, Lionel Scaloni had revitalized the team, ending a 28-year trophy drought for Argentina. They entered Qatar with an impressive unbeaten streak of 36 matches, only to face an unexpected defeat against Saudi Arabia.
A pivotal moment came when Messi found space within a crowded field to break through Mexico’s defense. His highlight against the Netherlands featured a brilliant no-look pass to Nahuel Molina, followed by a dazzling run past Josko Gvardiol. After scoring two goals in the final and successfully converting during the shootout, Messi and Maradona’s legacies intertwined in World Cup history.
Argentina went on to retain the Copa in 2024, and leading up to the Sunday’s final, their performance remained strong. Wearing Adidas boots named ‘The Last Tango,’ Messi played every minute of the knockout stages in the 2026 tournament.
Player Focus
Lionel Messi has made a remarkable impact in the last two World Cup tournaments, contributing to 22 of Argentina’s 33 goals, which helped the team break a 36-year drought to secure their third World Cup victory and brought them to the brink of a fourth. In 15 matches during the 2022 and 2026 finals, the 39-year-old Messi was named player of the match 10 times. As of Saturday, he holds the record as the tournament’s top scorer with 21 goals and leads in assists with 12.
When Messi first received the tournament’s best-player accolade, he exuded discomfort at the Maracana. However, in his next recognition, he proudly wore a bisht while holding the ornate gold trophy.
In New Jersey, Argentina aimed for victory rather than merely participating. Messi, who touched the ball 46 times, registered one shot, delivered one key pass, but also lost possession on 13 occasions. Despite his legendary status, a perfect farewell remains elusive.
Messi’s World Cup journey began modestly in Gelsenkirchen, where, at just 18, he made his debut against Serbia and Montenegro as a substitute for Maxi Rodriguez. He assisted Hernan Crespo and scored in the 88th minute, but the match was more remembered for Argentina’s impressive sequence of 24 passes leading to the second goal.
By the time the World Cup reached South Africa, Messi had already won two Ballon d’Or awards and a Champions League title—scoring a rare header against Manchester United in the final. According to The Athletic, his statistics included an impressive average of over 10 dribbles per 90 minutes, along with nearly one goal per match. He showcased versatility playing both as a right winger and as a false nine. However, under Maradona’s coaching during the only World Cup he led, Messi finished without any goals or assists.
Before the 2014 finals, Messi added another Champions League title, two more Ballon d’Or accolades, and the captain’s armband for Argentina. As fans in Argentina taunted Brazil, singing about their dominance on Brazilian soil, Messi began the tournament spectacularly, scoring a stunning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, netting an angular strike against Iran, and assisting Angel di Maria for a pivotal quarter-final goal. “For me, Leo is the best player in the world,” asserted Javier Mascherano in an interview.
Despite his four man-of-the-match awards, four goals, one assist, and winning the Golden Ball, he couldn’t clinch the World Cup title for Argentina.
Should this be the conclusion of his illustrious journey, Messi’s sentiments resonate: “Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story we’ll never forget and no one can erase.”
