Photo: Collected
As soon as the final whistle blew, the tears of anguish and heavy sorrow of Lionel Messi’s teammates seemed to turn the pitch into a field of mourning. On the other side, the roar of the stadium, the jubilation of the winning supporters and the notes of pride and gratitude from the losing side’s fans blended to create a strange atmosphere. But even amid all this, Messi’s gaze was fixed on that part of the gallery where his beloved compatriots had gathered in the greatest numbers.
Some claimed that he had stood with his back to the prize-giving ceremony out of anger. In reality, that was not the case. This favoured son of the Albiceleste actually wanted to hold on to every sight, every sound and every feeling of that moment in the deepest corner of his heart. He knew that whenever he recalled this day in the future, these memories would be its very substance. He was indeed overwhelmed by the deep pain of losing the 2026 World Cup final, but the main reason for his weeping uncontrollably was something else. From within, he felt that this was perhaps going to be his last match in Argentina’s sky blue and white jersey.
Messi is in fact an expatriate who left his birthplace in childhood in search of a slightly better future and a better life for himself and his family — just as millions upon millions of people around the world leave their motherland every day and set off for new destinations. Like most ordinary expatriates, he too never forgot his patriotism and pure love for his homeland. In international football he could easily have represented Spain instead of Argentina, and had he played for Spain, three or four more World Cup titles would very probably have been added to his collection.
But he never denied his roots. Rising above his immense footballing talent, his ability to retain humility and self-respect on foreign soil is what has turned him into a unique global symbol of Latin America. This greatest superstar in football history spent the first 13 years of his life in the city of Rosario. The story of his birth and upbringing is now known to all. As he was afflicted with a complex growth hormone problem, he needed extremely expensive treatment, which his family did not have the means to pay for; the local club also refused to bear the cost. At that very moment of crisis, Barcelona football club stood by him and took responsibility for all the costs of the treatment. Given what Argentina’s economic situation was at the time, and the complicated state in which it remains even today like the rest of the region, the airport was left open as the only realistic path in search of new horizons.
Upon joining the Catalan club’s youth team, he very quickly showed that he was in a class of his own. As a result, vigorous efforts began to have this teenager, then known by the nickname ‘La Pulga’ or ‘The Flea’, play for the Spanish national team. However, the spiritual pull of Messi and his family towards their homeland was extremely strong. Even in an interview given at a very young age, he had clearly said that his only dream was to take the field for the Argentina national team. Understanding the situation, the Argentine Football Association took swift action and arranged a friendly match for the under-20 team to secure Messi for their own country forever. That is how, on 29 June 2004, just a few days after Messi turned 17, his fairytale international journey began.
Argentine supporters were eager to see him in the senior national team. That historic moment came on 17 August 2005, in a friendly match against Hungary. But, unbelievably, within just a few seconds of coming on as a substitute in the 19th minute of the second half, he was forced to leave the pitch after being shown an unfair red card. This beginning seemed to be a forewarning that the road to his epic achievements in international football would not be smooth or easy at all.
To understand Messi’s legendary journey in the sky blue and white jersey, one has to look back a little. Like the plot of a famous film, his entire journey was a true ‘hero’s journey’ — a story of rising from the very mud to conquer outer space. He emerged in the national team just when Argentine football was sunk in the darkness of one disappointment and failure after another. At the time, the country was ceaselessly looking for a ‘new Maradona’ to bring back national glory. On top of that, Messi was a left-footed player, wore the number 10 jersey and stunned everyone with his magic. As a result, the comparison with Maradona was as unfair as it was inevitable, and it created mountain-like pressure on his young shoulders.
While he was winning every title one after another for Barcelona, a trophy with the senior national team just would not come within his grasp. Blind criticism was bearing down on him inside his own country. Questions were raised about everything, from his loyalty to the jersey to his attitude on the pitch. Even such a trivial remark as ‘he does not sing the national anthem’ at the start of matches was spread freely. All this unfair criticism was being rained down on that prudent Messi who, had he wished, could have chosen a much easier path for himself anywhere in the world. Even after all this, he set a unique example by enduring every insult with infinite patience, self-restraint and dignity.
Then came the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — on the soil of the arch-rivals. After a long 24 years, Argentina reached the World Cup final. It seemed that everything was perfectly arranged, that this was going to be a pure fairytale; but Germany’s plan was completely different. After that, two more heartbreaking tragedies had to be faced in two consecutive Copa America finals against Chile. Completely shattered by that pain, Messi announced he was quitting football, saying, ‘I have now lost four finals… my time with the national team is over. Four finals. It is not for me. Unfortunately, I tried. It was what I wanted most. But it did not happen, so I think this is the end.’ However, just like a true winner, he reconsidered his decision and very quickly returned to the national team camp.
That was the hardest and darkest period of his international career. After the successive final defeats, the team barely secured a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and put in an extremely disappointing performance in the tournament as well. In an interview with Fox Sports in 2019, he made one of the most inspiring statements of his career. He declared firmly that he would not give up under any circumstances: ‘I want to end my career having won at least one trophy with the Argentina national team. And even if that does not happen, I want at least to be able to leave with the satisfaction of having tried until the last moment. This is my message to the children who follow me. It is not only for football, it is for life. Because life is all about stumbling, getting up again and trying once more. Carrying on the fight for your dream.’
At last, ending a long 16-year wait, his elusive dream was fulfilled in 2021 by winning the Copa America on Brazilian soil. From that moment, all the heavy pressure lifted from above his head and the innate talent within began to flourish without any hindrance. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi won football’s highest and ultimate prize. The road to that victory was so hard and arduous that the joy of winning was multiplied many times over. Fans saluted his extraordinary humility and unconditional love for his homeland alongside his footballing genius.
Even taking the field to play his sixth World Cup at the age of 38, he proved again why he is unique. One of the few regrets that had lingered for so long in the comparison with Maradona — the chapter of beating England — he filled in this time with a superb performance. Although in the final against Spain his body did not allow him to play at a supersonic level and a perfect ending was not possible, after this tournament a unanimous consensus has been established around the world that Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.
The captain’s farewell from the national team after the match against Benin on Tuesday, however, was no sudden surprise. His father’s passing had a deep effect on Messi’s mind. In an emotional farewell statement, he said, ‘I do not know how I will carry on without you, I cannot understand how I will move forward. I have only ever played football, and now a grave doubt is arising in my own mind about how much longer I can keep doing this.’
Besides, Messi is now 39 years old and the natural effects of time have begun to tell on his body. So however clear and expected this farewell may be, it is not the slightest bit less painful for football lovers.
Some experiences in life are utterly unique and are never repeated. Sports lovers know how meaningful it is to have had the good fortune of watching Michael Jordan, Roger Federer or other all-time greats live. It is like the sight of a comet of a different, brilliant colour drifting across the breast of the infinite sky — one that shines brighter than any other and cannot be seen a second time in life.
It is still possible to enjoy his unique footballing talent with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, although he has repeatedly hinted that his time as a professional footballer is nearing its end. There is no doubt that an unbelievable golden era has come to an end, not only for Argentines but for football lovers of the whole world.
In his final farewell message, Messi wrote that he thanked God for creating him as an Argentine. Love for one’s country never depends on where a person lives; it depends on where a person’s roots are, on where he has come from. And Lionel Messi is, in heart and soul, forever a proud Argentine.
Source: CNN
