NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever, its beauty increases, it will never pass into nothingness.” — John Keats
Sometimes the timing of things is so perfect that you can’t help but think of 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 his first World Cup match on June 16, 2006. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Offside/Getty Images)
Exactly 20 years ago today, when he made his World Cup debut in 2006 aged 18 years and 358 days, a young, long-haired Messi came on as a substitute during Argentina’s 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro. As Diego Maradona cheered from the stands in Germany, the Argentine crowd held a banner reading “This Is My Dream” as Messi held the World Cup trophy.
Messi created – like lightning – chaos and took just three minutes to set up Hernán Crespo for his goal. Ten minutes later, Carlos Tevez assisted La Pulga for his first goal at a World Cup.
A lot has happened since then, and as a 20-year World Cup journey comes to an end in North America, I want us all to reflect on the dimming of the light on Messi’s remarkable career.
And for this World Cup, whatever comes Argentina’s way as it tries to do something only two other nations have done before in the history of the competition – which is win back-to-back World Cup titles – I ask you all to enjoy every moment Messi takes the field. 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)
Back 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 about his personal and professional life.
But what struck me the 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 him making peace with himself, knowing that the end was slowly approaching.
Years later, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, that’s why he didn’t make a big announcement about returning for a record sixth tournament. This wasn’t about breaking records, but rather closing doors the right way and saying goodbye to a friend.
Therefore, when Messi steps on the pitch on Tuesday night, I put my phone down. I will not take texts or calls, not pay attention to anything else – except the fact that Lionel Messi, the best player I have ever witnessed, for one last dance, one last glorious entrance on the center stage, will say goodbye to the World Cup. And it will begin against Algeria.
But in retrospect, I don’t believe that sadness will enter me, but rather a sense of calm. Because when all is said and done, I will forever remember the eternal memories of what Messi gave us.
And as John Keats reminds us, something beautiful never vanishes into nothingness.
It will stay with us forever. Just like Lionel Messi will.
