What a great World Cup he's just had, deserved golden ball award definitely. Won it all now, one object that may motivate him now is to win another (potentially 5th) Champions League upcoming May, 8 years after his last CL trophy. Other than that, it's been perfect career and I won't be surprised if he decides to go to MLS in summer, he'll turn 36 by then.
Lionel Messi | PSG Watch
- Thread starter Samid
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don’t understand how he chose the WC knockout stages to become a good pen taker
I love Messi but he was mediocre in the last 3 seasons against decent opposition in the UCL, not just because not scoring btw.
I think he himself will recognize that he can't hack it in the UCL at the top level anymore, and i don't think he fancies just scoring against minnow french teams in Ligue 1 for much longer time, not like it will add something relevant to his huge legacy anyways.
I can see him going to the MLS next season.
Messi on top. What a way for him to start bowing out of his career.
No words for him
No words for him
His energy management has also been brilliant throughout the tournament, after the knocks he takes and bursts, he does the right thing to conserve. It's just amazing to see him come back attacking freely at the end of a game after so much. Brilliant extra time goal and nerves of steel deep into the game. He was on a mission and completed it so greatly, and lit up every game.
I'm starting to warm to the robe, he was Star Wars, Lord of the Rings esque at this World Cup. Such skill and command of the attack in every game, it's been a joy to watch him and get his deserved trophy.
I'm starting to warm to the robe, he was Star Wars, Lord of the Rings esque at this World Cup. Such skill and command of the attack in every game, it's been a joy to watch him and get his deserved trophy.
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That was impressive. When France made it 2-2 I didn't think he had the legs to keep Argentina in it but he played very well after too
Bisht: It is a traditional men's cloak. They are usually worn on special occasions, like weddings and religious festivals. There is a further meaning to the bisht. They are usually worn by secular officials or clergy.
A bisht is usually worn for prestige on special occasions such as weddings, or festivals such as Eid, or for Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah or Salat al-Janazah. It is usually worn by secular officials or clergy, including tribal chiefs, kings, and imams, over a thawb, kanzu or tunic.
I think they meant for it to be a big honour, because you see the Sheikhs/Emirs wear it on royal visits and special occasions. So I think it's them trying to crown the winning captain that way.
That's the sort of cultural flair I can get with at a world cup, rather than letting migrant workers labor to death and hating gays.
Carried his copa form into this season and the WC
some of this is incredible.
Today was the goat clinching moment.
Most goal contributions in world cup history. Most golden balls. Most man of the match awards.
Just incredible.
I think its if he was given an option though, like did Messi get asked.
And FYI not all Qataris "hate gays" you look at the % of world population that are LGBT+ the same % is present in Qatar.
I have friends from the UAE where being gay its the same, but... I have many friends who are Emirati who are also gay or bi.
Many just live their lives behind closed doors, and the labor deaths is very sad I agree.
In a way goalkeeper Martinez last minute save gifted Messi his final ballon d’or at the end of the season otherwise it would have been Mbappe for sure after such an heroic final. It doesn’t even matter anymore who wins the CL.
If he wants to, it'll be his Jordan 1998 moment. The greatest retirement in a sport.
Absolutely incredible tournament. Turned it on and was the best player on the planet at the age of 35.5 when it mattered most. 4 consecutive matches where he came through with clutch performances right when his country needed him.
Yeah, true.
Difference, for me, is that he seems much more combatitive and proactive in approach. He was arguably the best player in their every match through this wc, fascinating considering his age and covid problems last year.
I think he was MOTM in almost every Copa game too. Crazy.
Back to back tournaments. Top G+A's in both tournaments. Not only did he score in every knockout round (a first), but he was MOTM in every one too (also a first).
He's setting new records at 35. Quite astonishing.
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Maradona is God to every argentinian including Messi. To be able to emulate him and bring joy to the people like Maradona did must be special to Messi as well!
It's also a big deal in the Arab world if the ruler of a country is putting it on you. It's like the ultimate form of respect.
Or Messi scoring to our Argentina ahead multiple times and Martinez making sure justice prevailed.
It was the oddest thing.
Maradona lost a World Cup Final (1990) and won a World Cup Final (1986) with the winning assist (3-2)
Messi lost a World Cup Final (2014) and almost won a World Cup Final (2022) with the winning goal (3-2)
It was almost so, so poetic. I was almost gutted for Messi. I could not believe Argentina were throwing away leads yet again after Messi scored what should have been the winning goal in 2nd extra time.
But to finally have that adulation of bringing a WC back to Argentina is special for them. He can sit in the pantheon now alongside Diego in terms of being beloved in his home country.
100%.
Messi scoring in the 2nd half of extra time to make it 3-2 is the game-winner.
That Argentina defence bottled a lead twice. Those defensive mishaps should not be happening.
Just a theory but I think having the tournament in the middle of the season helped Messi a lot.
He usually looks more laboured at international tournaments in the past but perhaps it's just that Argentina look like a proper team for the first time since he's played for them.
He usually looks more laboured at international tournaments in the past but perhaps it's just that Argentina look like a proper team for the first time since he's played for them.
I'm sad we lost to a team like Argentina, but happy that Messi at least can retire a world cup Champion while CR7 is definitely out of a conversation he never should have been in the first place.
Who will take the lead of the attack at PSG now ? I know Mbappe was the "boss" before but Messi as a WC has a new legitimacy
Mbappe's the tip of the spear as always, Messi is the playmaker along with Neymar. This whole 'boss' thing is silly. Mbappe had to carry them last season and it took them nowhere, if they can all step up then it's only to everybody's benefit.
1003 Games
793 goals
12 League titles
4 CL trophies
23 cup trophies (various)
Olympic Gold
Copa America
World Cup
7 balon d'or (probably 8 soon)
He's an absurdly extraordinary player. What a career we've had the pleasure to watch. Sublime.
Those are crazy stats. Assists must be up around the 800 mark too. One of the very best to do it... wonderful player.
They haven't looked great against proper opposition in the UCL anyways.
I can see Messi leaving after this season to enjoy retirement in the MLS, not like he needs to score against Rennes, Montpelier, Ajaccio, etc to keep his legendary legacy.
He is gonna try very hard to win this UCL, but he hasn't been great in the UCL in the last 3 seasons against very good teams, and PSG defenders always have a blunder in them to throw away leads in minutes.
In the immediate 5 minutes after the goal he looked rattled and kept loosing the ball but after that, he was magnificent. Played and attacked like a true leader today.
Seriously, why we haven't tried to get this man yet? Surely we can afford his wages?
Absolutely. Showed the “desire & fighting spirit” so often criticised
Nowhere near, are you kidding?
Nope, was guessing. Good to know.Nowhere near, are you kidding?
This is the big difference. For the first time the weight of having to win for his country galvanized him instead of crushing him. I think getting the monkey off their back last year at the copa america - where Messi had an incredible tournament and then a bad final, but they won anyways - combined with the maturity that comes with age and the knowledge that this was it, now or never, gave him that inner fire he so often lacked in the past. Leadership is hard to quantify but his was very obvious in this WC, for once in his career
Our man Al Thani clearly told him on stage today to come to Manchester with him. Most probably in January.
If he cracks 300 career assists that would be a truly staggering, mind-boggling number. Just think about the all time assists numbers in the PL compared to goals....
Tbh assist numbers never really register with me (clearly!) Now you mention it, though, you're absolutely right.