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This reminds me of the saying from George RR Martin’s “Game of Thrones”: “What is dead may never die.” And just like the Ironborn or the White Walkers, there are things in football that never die.
And this is Argentina. A team that sacrifices and drowns during a match, only to rise again and destroy everything in sight.
With Lionel Messi, just like the Night King, leading the destruction.
(Photo by Image Photo/Getty Images)
And as I said before, Messi and his fellow Argentines are constantly discovering new ways to win.
Wednesday’s victory in the World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta bears witness to this ritual. After the first half, it looked like the Three Lions had victory in their sights. The light was clear and guiding and became even brighter after Anthony Gordon’s opening goal in the 55th minute, courtesy of a magnificent cross from the super-agile Morgan Rogers.
Argentina, although physically imposing, did not find a way to bring down this English wall. Djed Spence was magnificent in his surprise start at left back. John Stones too, in his role of replacement in central defense. Jordan Pickford, still in his confident smile, denied everything that came towards him in goal.
As the minutes passed, Lionel Scaloni’s smile also passed. The Argentine coach was out of ideas and risked defeat. To be honest, this would have been accepted because, just like Switzerland and Egypt – and especially since the Cape Verde victory – Messi and his teammates lacked the means to recover.
But that’s the problem. This Argentine team always, somehow, finds a way.
I’m going to be extremely honest: Messi is someone I admire more than any other player.
I’ve covered his career extensively, written a book about him, and had the honor and privilege of interviewing him one-on-one. And as a lifelong Aston Villa supporter, Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez is also a player close to my heart.
But as a Peruvian, born and raised in England and with English family members, this one really hurt. So excuse my figurative tears.
But Messi and Argentina don’t care. And that’s what makes them so impressive. They are World Cup champions, not because they know how to win, but rather because they commit suicide trying to do so. They treat the adversary not as an obstacle, but as a virus. Something that must be eradicated.
This is what makes them Argentinians. For them, winning is not a desire, it is a hunger.
I will also say that England also paid the ultimate price after scoring because, instead of fighting fire with fire, they actually invited Argentina to attack. He almost welcomed it.
(Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
The substitutions were too defensive and restrictive, and Messi saw this as an opportunity. Not to score, but to use his other weapon (perhaps the most underestimated)… to create.
His two assists are a testament to his incredible ability to open up the game and find angles where no one else can. The first was the easiest as he fed Enzo Fernández, who absolutely smashed the ball past Pickford in the 85th minute. The second? A beautiful cross, again from the right wing, which finds Lautaro Martínez like an arrow towards the central target.
England knew it was done. This allowed the greatest player we have ever seen, at 39 years old, to destroy everything once again.
The final whistle blows and Argentina once again falls to its knees. Messi was once again carried by his teammates.
Argentina has done it again. They reached a second consecutive World Cup final and now have the chance to become the third team in history to win back-to-back titles (joining old rivals Brazil and Italy).
Then comes a reunion of generational icons where the circle is completely closed. Messi, who at the age of 19 did a promotional photo shoot for Barcelona holding baby Lamine Yamal in his arms, will be back this Sunday as Argentina take on Spain. The Finalissima between the champions of Europe and South America will indeed take place.
It will be a meeting between the past, the present and the future. But above all, it will be a final of steel and grace. For Argentina, it’s a chance for incredible, repeat glory. For Spain, a chance to win its second title and its first since 2010.
And for all of us, it’s another chance to see Messi. Inevitable. Omnipresent. The undisputed king of the kingdom.
