"A conjurer, a ripper up of reason, a dream machine"

Peter Dury's poetic commentary played on repeat on television as Lionel Messi announced that he would no longer play for the Argentina football team. Though it was coming, the official confirmation left many ardent lovers of the game distraught. The image of Messi, who lost the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, shedding tears, has not faded from many minds. The Latin American country of Argentina is home to amazing talents in football. After Diego Maradona, the football star who cultivated a demigod status in the 80s, Argentina produced Lionel Messi, the true ‘messiah’ of the game, who went on to conquer the sport. After winning the World Cup in 1986 under Maradona's magic, Argentina had to wait 36 ​​years to win the World Cup, and it had to be under Messi's tutelage.

The little boy, who grew up on the streets of a small house in the suburbs of Rosario, was called by Spain's biggest club, Barcelona, ​​after he showed flashes of unreal talent from a very young age. Barcelona took him on, including treatment for Messi, who had a growth hormone deficiency. He grew into a world-class star at Barca's La Masia academy. When he arrived to wear the national shirt at the age of 18, news had already spread about a wonder kid in the making. Argentina placed the burden of expectations left by Maradona on Messi’s shoulders. The team that experienced a trophy drought during those times looked revived when Messi joined the mix. Similar to Brazil, Argentina suddenly started attracting a massive fan base across the world, and everyone knew the reason.

The years between 2010 and 2017 were Messi’s halcyon days, as the boy wonder turned into the indisputable emperor of the game, even putting legends of the game in awe, watching his serpentine runs leaving multiple defenders sniffing grass. Amid scaling big heights, Messi was haunted by the sadness of not being able to win a title for his country.

2010 World Cup under Messi’s captaincy saw an Argentina team including many heavyweights. The team wriggled into the second round but was bashed uncompromisingly by a lethal German team. 2014 saw an invigorated Messi along a new team of youngsters. Despite putting in a terrific performance, Argentina lost to Germany in the final, but Messi was adjudged the player of the tournament. In 2016, after losing the Copa America to Chile, Argentina captain Messi announced a surprise retirement and had to revoke the decision later following outcry from fans. 2018 World Cup was something to forget for Messi, as Argentina crashed out, losing to France while the team faced heavy criticism for their tactics.

2021 gave a glimpse of a new Argentina football team in the making. The same year, the team won the Copa America, while the moment peaked when Messi kissed the World Cup trophy in Lusail Stadium in Qatar in 2022. The ‘GOAT’ debate was thus settled for all.

Messi is one of the greatest players in world football ever to grace the number 10 shirt. A great talent who carried the hopes of a country for two decades and united his entire team until they reached their goal. At the age of 39, there is nothing more for Messi to prove to the world. Time will pass, and new talents will come. Records will be rewritten. However, Lionel Messi’s magic will be etched for future generations to watch and be gobsmacked.