The question of Messi’s legacy and place in the pantheon of all-time greats is now settled and while debate can still rage about his place as the game’s greatest player, the moment he finally got his hands on the trophy he has craved above all felt like closure.
It was fitting that Messi’s coronation came at the end of surely the greatest World Cup final ever, lit up by the two greatest players on the planet. “The tournament of external noise”, as Gareth Southgate so aptly put it, delivered what Didier Deschamps described as “the final of records”.
Messi apparently still dreams about Argentina’s defeat by Germany in the 2014 final and Kylian Mbappe threatened to turn last night into another nightmare, twice dragging defending champions France back from the brink by scoring a brilliant hat-trick.
It is so rare for the two outstanding talents of different generations to produce mutual magnificence on this stage, and this was not so much a passing of the baton as the meeting of two eras, a testament to Messi’s astonishing longevity at this level and remarkable Mbappe’s rise. Mbappe’s brilliance and France’s resilience ensured Argentina had to win this game three times against an opponent who barely registered in the opening 80 minutes.
With Argentina leading 2-0 through Messi’s penalty and a magnificent team goal finished by Angel Di Maria, Mbappe scored twice in 97 seconds — a penalty and a wonderful volley.
Messi restored Argentina’s lead in extra-time, only for Mbappe’s second penalty and hat-trick goal to force penalties, where both superstars stepped up first and inevitably scored. France pair Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni both missed before Montiel gave Argentina an unassailable 4-2 lead, sparking delirium.
Watching from the sidelines, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was stunned.
Scaloni stood almost statuesque, hand over his mouth, as he was embraced by members of his coaching staff. The 44-year-old walked back to the dugout and sat, dazed. It was not until the first of his players sprinted over, Leandro Paredes — who was also the first to hug Messi — that the dam broke and Scaloni began sobbing uncontrollably.
He deserves credit for succeeding where four other coaches failed, by guiding Messi to World Cup glory. Scaloni ensured Argentina recovered from their defeat by Saudi Arabia in their opener, and he showed impressive tactical flexibility during the tournament.
He also got it right by starting Di Maria, who won the penalty for Messi’s goal — even if replacing the 34-year-old in the 64th-minute nearly proved costly — and introduced Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez into the team during the finals. Fernandez was named Young Player of the tournament. They are both now global stars.
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More than anyone, of course, the night belonged to Messi. The images that will long live in the memory were of Messi kissing the trophy, Messi holding it aloft, Messi carried on a blue-and-white tide of joy and camera phones by his teammates; Messi hugging his mum; Messi dancing on the side of the pitch and on the table in the dressing room.
It should not be forgotten there is also a darker side to his triumph, which will now forever be associated with a World Cup built on death and exploitation.
In what felt like one final act of sportswashing, Messi was draped in a bisht — an Arabic gown — by the Emir of Qatar for the trophy lift, ensuring the hosts got the photo opportunity they paid for amid their perfect outcome.
Messi belongs to Qatar, who pays his wages at Paris Saint-Germain, and now part of his ultimate achievement belongs to them, too. Like Maradona, Messi also undeniably also belongs to every Argentine, and everyone who has appreciated his talent.
This is not an ending for Messi, who has said he will play on for Argentina, but it felt like a climax, the end point of over 15 years of unparalleled excellence.
