Bleeding for the cause. It’s already Messi’s world. But is it finally his time to ascend even higher?
There’s been a lot of focus on the Euros – all the “it’s coming home” stuff and the Azzurri playing the most exciting style they’ve played in our lifetimes has stolen the attention down here. Fair enough, but we don’t want to pass up the chance to give Leo the attention he deserves.
There's no point going on about how good he is. We all know. The greatest player ever? There are so many signs that point to yes. What some will tell you though is that he can't be the greatest until he wins on the big stage with Argentina.
This Sunday Leo has a chance to give those people who question his bottle on the international stage nothing to cling on to anymore, and guess where? The spiritual home of football - the Maracanã. Deep in enemy territory... a place where he came up short against Germany in the World Cup final back in 2014. A feeling all too familiar for this nation who haven’t tasted glory for 28 years now.
Messi has been a star at this Copa America. 4 goals, 5 assists and plenty of players trying their best to take the little genius out. Colombia received 6 yellow cards against La Albiceleste in the semi-final and all of them were fouls made on you know who.
The result set up a gargantuan clash against the team who two years ago, without the injured Neymar, knocked out Argentina in the semi-finals before winning their ninth Copa title on home soil. A gut punch to Messi who had been fighting off doubters and was now, painstakingly, running out of time.
Does Messi care that people might question his GOAT status just because of what happens when he pulls on the white and blue? Probably not. He’s just got his eyes on the prize… winning the Copa America against archrivals Brazil, and in doing so tying the current record held by Uruguay 15 titles.
At 34 this could be one of the last genuinely serious chances he has. Ponder on that and then consider any plans you thought you might have had at 10am on Sunday. If you’re not watching one of the all-time greats giving it all he has on his mission for that elusive international trophy – you just don’t love football enough.
This is some Michael Jordan last dance-esque shit, except the whole world will be watching. It may not be the end no matter what happens on Sunday, you feel there’s still so much left in this demigod’s legs and remarkable football mind… but for how much longer we cannot know. Time catches up to all of us mere mortals and maybe even superhumans like La Pulga. Like all of us one day he’ll be gone… and one day you might just tell your young ones about the time Messi finally broke the 28 year drought against Brazil, in the Maracanã at 34 years of age in these crazy times we’ll never forget.
Don’t miss that chance.
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