For so many years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the two best players in the world. Kylian Mbappe would have something to say about that nowadays, of course.
One thing you cannot deny about Messi is that his powers show little sign of waning, as demonstrated by Tuesday’s semi-final win over Croatia.
Contrast this with Ronaldo, who has recently looked more of an individual accidentally finding himself surrounded by ten other blokes than ever before. And that’s saying something.
The pair have been a part of each other’s story for so long, duking it out in Spain at Barcelona and Real Madrid and for the Ballon d’Or. But it is where they find themselves now which is so interesting. Messi is every inch the man carrying his nation towards World Cup glory. No one has quite eclipsed him with Argentina and the load is on his shoulders, although it appears to weigh less heavily in Qatar.
Ronaldo is rich and club-less. We’ve seen his true colours, perhaps, with the manner of his acrimonious Manchester United exit and needless Piers Morgan interview. It’s as if all the resentments of his career have suddenly spilt out at 37, when most might be mellowing.
He continues to break new ground – as the first man to score at five World Cups, for instance. His trophy cabinet, as well as his bank balance, must be huge, although it misses one thing. But while Ronaldo left what is likely to be his last World Cup in tears after Portugal’s defeat to Morocco in the last eight, Messi trundles on to Sunday’s final.
Portugal are beginning to move on too. Bruno Fernandes is arguably their driver these days and the likes of Goncalo Ramos promise a bright new future up front. Argentina are very different. Messi serves as an inspiration rather than a distraction. He is adored, a humble man and a generous team-mate. He is celebrated, not just tolerated.
At 35, he is more than a goalscorer and goal-maker. He is still Argentina’s heartbeat. Note how he led one of this tournaments feted defenders, Josko Gvardiol, on a wild goose chase for the third goal on Tuesday, taking him one way then the other before beating him, reaching the byline and cutting the ball back for Julian Alvarez to score.
Gvardiol has been celebrated as a huge talent but he was left chasing shadows, such was Messi’s brilliance.
His composure to score the penalty for the opening goal in front of 88,000 supporters was admirable. He is the big-game player Argentina need to complement what is otherwise a very decent side. He is always available, ready to help a team-mate out of trouble with his movement or a pass.
Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul — all fine players in their own right — are in Messi’s orbit too. But Messi, currently, is hotter than the sun.
And here in Qatar on Sunday, it will take something out of this world to stop him achieving his last remaining goal with his country.
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