“Me-ssi Me-ssi” - the chants of hundreds of ardent fans echoed throughout the air whenever he scored a goal, and it made one wonder just what it was about the man that made millions across the globe love him unconditionally. 

Lionel Messi’s career has been extraordinary, starting with his humble beginning at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina, and continuing into his record-breaking stint at Barcelona. His exceptional dribbling skills, close ball control, ability to score from a variety of angles and distances, and creative playmaking have made him a joy to watch and a nightmare for his opponents. Over the course of his career, Messi's style of play has evolved and become more refined as he has developed new skills and adapted to changing demands of the game. With more than 750 goals scored for club and country, Messi is one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history and has won numerous accolades, including a record seven Ballon d'Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes, as well as 35 trophies with Barcelona. 

One of the most memorable moments of Messi's career came in 2007 when he scored the "Encara Messi" goal in a Copa Del Rey match against Getafe. The goal, which lasted just 12-13 seconds, saw Messi receive a pass from his teammate Xavi, evade and nutmeg two defenders, dribble past two more, enter the penalty box, dribble around the goalkeeper, and chip the ball into the goal. The play was reminiscent of Maradona's "goal of the century" in the 1986 World Cup and has been hailed as one of the greatest goals of all time.

Off the field, Messi's humility and graciousness in both victory and defeat have earned him the respect of fans and peers alike. He has always put the team first and has remained dedicated to his craft even under immense pressure and criticism. It's no surprise that his recent victory in the World Cup 2022 was met with widespread celebration and global acclaim. Throughout the tournament, Messi played a crucial role for Argentina, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. His performances were exceptional, and he was hailed by many as the best player in the world. In addition to his individual achievements, Messi also demonstrated his leadership skills, consistently rallying his teammates and leading by example. His dedication to teamwork and selflessness played a key role in Argentina's success.

But it wasn't just Messi who contributed to the team’s success on the field. He was supported by a brilliant and dedicated set of players who fought unwaveringly alongside him and helped bring Argentina to the top. All the unsung heroes, the valiant teammates who battled alongside him, such as ‘Spider’ Alvarez, ‘Butcher’ Lisandro, ‘Penalty God’ Emiliano, the talented ‘River Plate Youngster’ Fernandes, the reliable ‘Bodyguard’ De Paul, and the impressive Man of the Finals Di Maria, were all integral parts of this historic and unforgettable journey. Their efforts and commitment to the field have not gone unnoticed and will be remembered for years to come.

Messi has often been compared to Maradona, and one of the main points of comparison has been that Maradona had won the Fifa World Cup, while Messi had yet to win one. Despite achieving great success with Barcelona and winning a Copa America title with Argentina, the World Cup had remained out of reach for Messi. In 2014, Argentina came close to winning the trophy, but Germany defeated them in the final. Even though Messi received the Golden Ball award for being the best player in the tournament, it felt like a consolation prize. In 2022, Messi has finally been able to clinch the winning title and bring his team to the pinnacle of international football, just like Maradona did 36 years earlier. This time, he stepped on to the podium to accept both the Golden Ball and the World Cup trophy, knowing he has truly achieved all that he had ever dreamt of.

In the midst of such fervent celebrations, it is a somber realization that his career is nearing its last leg. While it will be hard to say goodbye to such a transcendent talent, football fans around the world can take comfort in knowing that the magic of Messi will live on in the memories of those who were lucky enough to witness it firsthand. From his stunning free kicks to his incredible solo goals, his games have always been a spectacle to watch, while his modesty and courteousness off-field have cemented his place in the hearts of fans worldwide for generations to come. 

“It has taken me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.”
-Lionel Messi

Writer - Nikhil Anand

Editor - Priyanka