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I am reminded of the saying in George RR Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series: “What is dead may never die.” And like the Ironborn or the White Walkers, there are some things in football that never die.
And that’s Argentina. A team that sacrifices itself and drowns during a battle, only to rise again and destroy what lies in its sight.
With Lionel Messi, like the Night King, leading the destruction.
(Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
And like I said before, Messi and his Argentine mates are relentless in discovering new ways to win.
Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final victory over England in Atlanta was testament 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 came to life even more after Anthony Gordon’s opening goal in the 55th minute, thanks to a wonderful cross from the super agile Morgan Rogers.
Argentina, although physically imposing, could not find a way to break down this English wall. Djed Spence was magnificent in his surprise start at left back. John Stones also in his substituted shift at centre-back. Jordan Pickford, always in his confident smile, denied everything that came his way in goal.
As the minutes ticked away, so did Lionel Scaloni’s smile. The Argentine manager was running out of ideas and staring at defeat. To be honest, it would have been accepted because, like Switzerland and Egypt – and emphatically from Cape Verde’s victory – Messi and his teammates were running out of steam.
But that’s the thing. This Argentine team somehow, rather, always finds a way.
I will be brutally honest: Messi is someone I admire more than any other player.
I have 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 championship champions not because they know how to win, but rather because they kill themselves in their quest to do so. They treat the opponent, not as an obstacle, but as a virus. Something that must be eradicated.
That’s what makes them Argentina. For them, winning is not a desire, it is a hunger.
I would also say that England also paid the ultimate price after scoring because instead of fighting fire with fire, they actually invited Argentina to attack. It almost accepted 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 (perhaps most underrated) weapon … to create.
His two assists were indicative of his incredible ability to open up plays 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 other one? A beautiful cross, once again from the right wing, that found Lautaro Martínez like an arrow to the center goal.
England knew it was done. That allowed the best player we’ve ever seen, at 39, to ruin it all again.
The final whistle blew and Argentina fell to their knees again. Messi was once again lifted by his teammates.
Argentina had done it again. It reached a second straight World Cup final and now has the chance to become the third team in history to win back-to-back titles (along with old rivals Brazil and Italy).
So now comes a meeting with generational icons where the whole circle is fully embraced. Messi, who at the age of 19 once posed for a promotional photograph for Barcelona with a baby Lamine Yamal in his arms, will be in action this Sunday when Argentina face Spain. La Finalissima between the champions of Europe and South America will really happen.
It will be a meeting between past, present and future. But most importantly, it will be a final of steel and grace. For Argentina, it is a chance for incredible repeat glory. For Spain, a chance for its second title and first since 2010.
And for all of us, it’s another chance to see Messi. Unavoidable. Ubiquitous. The undisputed king of the kingdom.
