Lionel Messi is poised to make his third appearance in a FIFA World Cup final as the reigning champions Argentina face off against Spain. At 39 years old, Messi continues to be the driving force behind his team’s success in this tournament, further illustrating that age is merely a number.
Event Context
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Messi’s performance in 2022 was significantly sharper compared to Argentina’s loss in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany. In 2014, he was awarded Player of the Tournament but faced challenges in the final where, despite creating numerous opportunities for his teammates, they were unable to capitalize. Messi proved to be a considerable threat during counterattacks.
He recorded four shots during the match, but none were on target. In addition, he made three key passes and achieved a passing accuracy of 80%, completing 32 accurate passes while playing the entire 120 minutes.
Player Focus
Currently positioned second in both the Golden Boot race and the all-time World Cup goalscorers list, Kylian Mbappe leads the way after scoring two goals in the third-place playoff against England, bringing his total for the campaign to 10 goals (22 overall). Lionel Messi follows closely with eight goals, totaling 21 in his career.
During the thrilling 2022 World Cup final against France, Messi played a crucial role, scoring two goals in a match that ended 3-3 after extra time. Argentina ultimately triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout, with Messi successfully converting his spot-kick.
He opened the scoring with a penalty and added a key goal during extra time, briefly putting Argentina ahead at 3-2, before Mbappe equalized to force the match into extra time.
Messi had five attempts on goal, with three hitting the target, and made two significant passes. His outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award, and he maintained a remarkable passing accuracy of 90 percent, completing 35 successful passes.
In Qatar, Messi delivered an all-around exceptional performance. Under coach Lionel Scaloni, the team has been structured to allow Messi to contribute not just in playmaking roles but also in crucial finishing. This new dynamic has brought in a stronger supporting cast for Messi, enhancing the team’s overall effectiveness compared to previous eras that relied heavily on players like Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.
Overall influence in decisive moments
The key distinction between Messi’s performances in the two finals lies in how he influenced crucial moments. In 2014, he served as Argentina’s primary source of creativity, often dropping back to retrieve the ball before advancing his team. Argentina had opportunities to defeat Germany or at least push the match to penalties, but Gonzalo Higuain and Rodrigo Palacios missed crucial chances.
During the 2022 final, Messi’s approach evolved; he exhibited a more calculated style, controlling the pace of the game and delivering when it mattered most. Unlike in Brazil, where his reliance on dribbling and speed dominated his play, Messi’s improved strategy was evident as he chose his moments with greater precision.
