You understand the gravity of a sporting icon’s retirement when tremors caused by his departure from the sport are felt beyond the of his land of origin.
Lionel Messi’s decision to quit international football comes with myriad emotions that have engulfed a world far beyond the enigmatic pull of footballing headlines. His is an absence that’ll be felt by global sports followers who may or may not be football fans. But whether as Chess, Formula 1, Golf, Tennis or Cricket lovers- all are well aware of the impact and scale of the genius of a man that only Messi could be.
Today, as one of Football’s greatest pursuers of passion and prowess leaves the field vacant, everyone- whether Tendulkar, Ibramovich, Vettel, Hamilton, Viswanathan Anand or Michael Jordan will offer emotion and have their best things to say.
That was Messi’s impact. The ability to unify a segregated world by sheer impact thanks to his brilliance.
You stayed engrossed in a game well until it was over not just because Argentina was in it, but because Lionel Messi was in the field.
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The game wasn’t over until Messi had had his say and boy didn’t he?
207 international appearances. 125 goals. 2 Copa America crown wins. 1 mesmerising World Cup title.
And a common titan behind such distinct feats, unmatched in ability and unchallenged for their legendary conception!
In a sport where Puyol is known for his daring and defensive skills, Roberto Carlos for his panache at executing breathtaking free kicks, where a Beckham is lauded for being a free kick specialist and where Klose is revered for that aerial heading ability, Messi combined all distinct traits with flair.
In cricketing parlance, just how you view the true talent of a batter by his ability to judge the line and length of the ball, Messi’s real strength lay far beyond his exceptional dribbling, goal scoring and that incomparable footwork. Messi’s craft was exemplified by his ability to well time those jumps, by the talent he had to anticipate plays a millisecond faster than defenders.
Scoring goals in critical junctures or that amazing long shot goal scoring; he did that time and again presiding over a career that mustn’t only be lauded for sheer physical fitness but for longevity.
20 years in a sport that can be grinding and mentally exhausting is an achievement that can be compared to the rigours mountain climbers task themselves with when they make climbing the Himalayas a way of life.
Except, in Lionel Messi’s career, the length of his achievements warrant comparisons with the eminent mountain ranges for the sheer height of audacity.
Won the 2022 tournament in Qatar and finished as runner-up in 2014 and 2026.
His legendary success at the Copa America culminated in back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2024.
That’s not all; Messi Won the 2022 Finalissima, an Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005.
As football bids farewell to one of its greatest ambassadors, Lionel Messi’s influence on the game will endure for generations to come.
But as he bows down at 39, making place for more talents to represent the country he’s proud of hailing from, it’s also time to think whether he could still have continued just as we fawn over his illustrious career!
What do you reckon? Go well, Leo!
