2023-10-31 09:45:00
# Adarsh PI 31 October 2023, 03:15 PM IST
Perhaps another individual award may not come to him. It is not sure whether he will tie his boots on the eve of the World Cup following three years. He continues his journey.
photo: Getty Images
KaIt must be a mandate imposed on him by Lam. Reminder. Messi, smiling in front of the world like the eighth wonder, made sure that he mightn’t leave this night in Paris without remembering Maradona. October 30, when Messi received the Ballon d’Or award, is actually Diego’s birthday. 63rd birthday to celebrate if he is still alive. It reminds Messi that he too may have joined him invisibly in the places he traveled on the paths he crossed. Time must be asking Leo how you can complete that award night without remembering and talking regarding the man who made the dreams of the Argentine people come true before you were even born. Therefore, Messi cannot go back except by accepting that assignment. And so on the football god’s birthday, the Messiah received Balandyore. The same number 10 that Maradona claimed to be his successor stands tall, conquering the world and taking the eighth Ballon d’Or. In honor of Diego.
Messi started by thanking everyone following receiving the award in Paris. He thanked his colleagues and all those who voted. Messi praised Haaland and Mbappa for putting up a strong fight for the award. Messi added that they can win the Ballon d’Or in the coming years. After thanking his family and children, he also remembered Maradona.
photo: Getty Images
“The last thing I want to mention is Maradona. Happy birthday to him. There is no better platform to wish a happy birthday. This balandyoor belongs to you too. To all Argentinians.’ Messi said.
This day makes Messi’s award even brighter and more meaningful. The World Cup achievement brought the Ballon d’Or award to those hands. There is no dispute regarding that. Haaland is probably with or above Messi in individual bests. But nothing Holland had in store in the quiver was enough to overcome the silver lining of the world crown. So when Messi is once more amazing on the back of the World Cup success, the man Diego Maradona cannot be forgotten. Messi also ended a 36-year wait in Qatar following he won the title.
1986 when Maradona lifted the world crown
Maradona’s performance in the 1986 World Cup was one of the most memorable in football history. There was no one who was not surprised to see it. The match between England and Argentina in the quarter. That day, God and the devil came to bat together at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico.
It comes in the 51st minute of the match following a scoreless first half. A move made by Maradona and teammate Jorge Valdano. Valdano tries to cut through the English defenders. It was defended but England defender Steve Hodge miscued the next move. Goalkeeper Peter Shilton attempted to pass the ball high. Maradona and Shilton jumped up for the ball. But Maradona realized that he mightn’t beat the goalkeeper and used that hand. Hit the ball with his left hand and put it into the net. The England players argued that it was handball, but the referee allowed the goal. The crowd at the Astak chanted “The Devil’s Hand”.
But within four minutes, he silenced all those laughs. With a goal that surprised the world. In the 55th minute, Hector Entique passed the ball to Maradona from his own half. Then he became superhuman for another ten seconds. He crossed all the opponents who came in front. Finally, the goalie went past Peter Shilton and shook the net. The opponents stood stunned, unable to believe what they saw in front of their eyes. Ascension from Satan to God. Finally defeated England and reached the semi-finals.
Even there, his momentum might not be stopped. Argentina entered the final by beating Belgium with Maradona’s double. He lifted the world crown in the same Astak. The Argentinians were overwhelmed. Maradona became a passion they mightn’t follow. And the dream come true God. He had become deeply absorbed in their souls.
photo: Getty Images
Their frenzied God came to the final once more in 1990 World Cup. But this time he was unarmed. West Germany beat Argentina to win the title. Maradona broke down in tears in the middle of the field as German fans celebrated the victory in the gallery, raising flags and chanting. All those who fell in love with those blue shirts cried together. He was still thrashing regarding with endless enthusiasm and Albicelestan dreams. In 1994, he went on to conquer the world for Argentina. He took the field in the first two matches. But that career came to a screeching halt when he failed a doping test.
Waiting for another ‘Goddess’
Later, many people started wearing his number 10 jersey. Showed magic with the ball. Again those hopes were dashed. But nothing happened except prolonging the wait. They sought a new God in all those who shone in blue. First up was Ariel Ortega. And Batistuta. And Riquelme was also very attractive. But the Albicelestan sky remained black.
Ever since a boy from Rosario started wearing that blue and white jersey, hopes have been revived. By that time, Messi was scared on the stage in Spain. Argentinians saw a glimmer of hope in the boy who filled the heart of the Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabeu. With the world’s best player making waves on the Ballon d’Or stage as well, faded dreams took wing.
Along with Messi, Maradona was part of the Argentine squad that reached the 2010 World Cup. Messi on the field and Maradona outside the white line. But they turned away before they even got close to their crowning dreams. Maradona, who created miracles on the field, might not reach that dream distance as a coach.
Four years later, by the time they reached the World Cup in 2014, Messi had become their messiah. The hopes of the country rested on Messi. Messi, who is playing in the best form of his career, continued that performance in the World Cup. And so they reached the final following two decades. Argentinians firmly believed that this time the wait would be over. They whispered that we were looking for a hero like you for ages.
But Gotze fired in the 113th minute of the final. The Germans rejoiced. The Argentines waited until the last second for a counterattack. A free kick outside the penalty box was the last hope. A kick to goal, the only kick. They needed it to breathe life back into the boots that had blossomed in Spain and Europe. But with that ball over the goalbar, their hopes were dashed.
photo: Getty Images
After losing twice in a row in the final of the Copa America, Messi came to conquer the world once more. Without any of Europe’s brightest stars, Argentina is in the final stages of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Nothing unexpected happened in the World Cup either. They lost to France in the pre-quarters. There were assessments that Argentina will not be able to win the title in the near future. Criticisms that Messi can’t do anything anymore.
Finally, the coronation of the Messiah
By the time the 2022 World Cup came around, the game and the story had changed. Without Maradona on the fields, the ball has been thrown around many times. Scaloni began writing his own history. Scaloni, who molded new players, transformed the team into a team capable of fighting. Scaloni proceeded with pragmatism, keeping foot fever off the white line. After 28 years of waiting, they also kissed the Copa America. followed by Finalissima Trophy. Argentina is coming to the World Cup with an undefeated run, crushing all its opponents.
In the first match, however, they were unexpectedly defeated by Saudi Arabia. Messi’s army turned around amid the taunts and criticism. That No. 10’s dreams are likely to be dashed at the group stage time and time once more. But Scaloni kept the team together. As usual, the boat was rowed by practicality. Argentina have not lost a match since. Defeat all the opponents and go to the final battle…
The past must have flashed in the memory when he took that kick in the 23rd minute of Kalashapo from inside the box drawn with lime as if between life and death. The gallery was silent as Hugo Lloris stood alone from the spot he had to return unarmed so many times. It was naturally a stressful moment but this time he netted with surprising ease. Then the angel also shook the net.
That dream crown awaited him in a darkened corner of the Lusail Stadium until the referee blew the whistle to announce the end of the game. And the world must not have watched that match except with bated breath. Mbappe’s comeback in the final minutes. The Argentines held their breath. And in the extra time too, the blow was backfired. And then the penalty shootout.
Losing there means death. But God must be watching somewhere above. After God, they had to get it for their Messiah. Otherwise he cannot return from there. In the end, Emiliano became the hero once more in the penalty shootout. The Messiah conquered the planet and shed tears on the field. Happy dance. Argentina conquered the world.
photo: Getty Images
Messi’s career is complete with the Qatar World Cup title. Then there was the flow of awards. Messi was awarded FIFA the best and Laureus award. Now Balandyore too. Perhaps another individual award may not come to him. It is not sure whether he will tie his boots on the eve of the World Cup following three years. He continues his journey. The fact that Diego is not there to see the achievements must be hurting him. But on his birthday, Leo turns around and congratulates him with the award….
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