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“A beautiful thing is an eternal joy, its beauty increases, it will never pass away into nothingness.” — John Keats
Sometimes the timing of things is so perfect that you can’t help but think about its poetic meaning. A butterfly landing on your shoulder or the sound of ocean water crashing against the backdrop of a sunset.
For me, when it comes to our game – and as defending champions Argentina prepare to make their World Cup debut against Algeria on Tuesday night in Kansas City – I can’t help but think about Lionel Messi and what’s to come.
Or what is about to end.
Lionel Messi after scoring a goal for Argentina in their first World Cup match on June 16, 2006. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Offside/Getty Images)
Exactly 20 years ago to the day, making his World Cup debut in 2006 at the age of 18 years and 358 days, the long-haired young Messi came on as a substitute in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro. As Diego Maradona applauded from the German stands, the Argentine crowd held a banner reading “This is my dream”, while Messi held the World Cup trophy.
Messi – like lightning – wreaked havoc, taking just three minutes to set up Hernán Crespo for his goal. Ten minutes later, Carlos Tevez assisted La Pulga for his first goal in the World Cup.
A lot has happened since then, and as a 20-year World Cup journey draws to a close in North America, I want us all to reflect on the fact that the light on Messi’s remarkable career is fading.
And for this World Cup, no matter what Argentina does as they attempt to do something only two other nations have done before in the history of the competition – that is, win back-to-back World Cup titles – I implore you all to savor every moment that Messi has on the pitch. Because I promise you this: we will never see another player like him on the world stage.
Messi, earlier this month. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
In 2023, I had the honor of sitting down with Messi when I interviewed the World Cup champion for my book. I asked him about his career, his sense of happiness and his new chapter in Miami. It was only a few months after the historic World Cup victory in Qatar.
He was happy to answer my questions which concerned his personal and professional life.
But what struck me most was his sense of calm about where he was in his life. He was completely at ease, and I’d like to think a lot of that had to do with the fact that he had made peace with himself, knowing that the end was slowly approaching.
Years later, before the 2026 World Cup, that’s why he hasn’t made a big announcement about returning for a record sixth tournament. It wasn’t about breaking records, it was about closing the doors the right way and saying goodbye to a friend.
So when Messi enters the field on Tuesday evening, I will put down my phone. I won’t take any texts or calls, I won’t pay attention to anything else – apart from the fact that, for one last dance, one last glorious entrance onto the stage, Lionel Messi, the greatest player I have ever seen, will say goodbye to the World Cup. And it will start against Algeria.
But in retrospect, I don’t believe that sadness will enter me, but rather a feeling of tranquility. Because after all, I will forever remember the eternal memories of what Messi gave us.
And as John Keats reminds us, something beautiful is never lost in nothingness.
It stays with us forever. Just like Lionel Messi.
