Sports is unscripted theatre. Football shames Cervantean drama. Messi was born to lead the act. The show just ended. The curtains closed. And the whole world is filled with joy!
Lionel Messi, wearing a black Qatari robe over his blue-and-white Argentina shirt, kissed the World Cup, shuffled toward his teammates and hoisted the golden trophy high in the air.
It was an iconic sight that finally — definitively — places the football superstar in the pantheon of the game’s greatest players.
Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete
In probably the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history, Argentina won its third World Cup title by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from the 35-year-old Messi and a hat trick by his heir apparent, France forward Kylian Mbappé.
“It’s just crazy that it became a reality this way,” Messi said. “I knew God would bring this gift to me. I had the feeling that this (World Cup) was the one.”
Mbappe as the next GOAT!
Mbappé already ticks all the boxes of a GOAT. How so?
To begin with, Mbappé is a world champion. Mbappé has already touched the coveted trophy that even Messi and Ronaldo are missing, having won the World Cup at the age of 19 in 2018. Not only that, but if France’s season goes well, he could add another trophy to his collection this year.
Kylian Mbappé has already won domestic leagues and other trophies (though he has yet to win the Champions League) and possesses a set of skills that all footballers desire. He is lightning fast, has vision and ambition, exquisite footwork, and excellent finishing ability.
Pele has openly praised the young Frenchman for his achievements, and he is matching Pele on multiple records. “I’m delighted to see you breaking another of my Cup records, my friend!” On December 8, 2022, Pele tweeted.
Mbappé also receives the media attention that a GOAT would. The media adores him because he is both inspiring and confident. The big clubs are already vying for him, and he has already been in the news for both positive and controversial comments.
