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I am reminded of the saying from George RR Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series: “What is dead may never die.” And just like the Ironborn or the White Walkers, there are some things in football that never die.
And that is Argentina. A team that sacrifices and drowns during a match, only to rise again and destroy everything within its reach.
With Lionel Messi, like the Night King, leading the destruction.
(Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
And just as I said before, Messi and his Argentine teammates are relentless in discovering new ways to win.
Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal victory over England in Atlanta was a 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 became even more vivid after Anthony Gordon’s opener in the 55th minute, courtesy of a wonderful cross from the super-agile Morgan Rogers.
Argentina, although physically imposing, could not find a way to tear down this English wall. Djed Spence was magnificent in his surprise start at left back. John Stones too, in his substitute turn as central defender. Jordan Pickford, always with his confident smile, denied anything coming his way in goal.
As the minutes faded away, so did Lionel Scaloni’s smile. The Argentine coach was running out of ideas and was facing defeat. To be honest, it would have been accepted because, like Switzerland and Egypt (and emphatically since the Cape Verde victory), Messi and his teammates were running out of ways to get up.
But that’s the point. This Argentine team somehow, rather always, finds a way.
I’ll 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 in person. And as a lifelong Aston Villa fan, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez is also a player close to my heart.
But as a Peruvian, born and raised in England and with English relatives, this really hurt me. So excuse my figurative tears.
But Messi and Argentina don’t care. And that’s what makes them so awesome. They are World Cup champions, not because they know how to win, but because they kill themselves trying to do so. They treat the opponent, not as an obstacle, but as a virus. Something that must be eradicated.
It’s what makes them Argentine. For them, winning is not a desire, it is a hunger.
I will also say that England also paid the ultimate price after scoring because instead of fighting fire with fire, they actually invited Argentina to attack. He almost welcomed 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 play and find angles where no one else can. The first was the easiest, as he gave a pass to Enzo Fernández, who crashed the ball past Pickford in the 85th minute. The second? A beautiful cross, again from the right wing, that finds Lautaro Martínez like an arrow to the central goal.
England knew it was done. He allowed the best player we have ever seen, at 39 years old, to destroy everything once again.
The final whistle sounded and Argentina fell to its knees again. Messi was once again lifted up by his teammates.
Argentina had done it again. They reached a second consecutive World Cup final and now have a chance to become the third team in history to win back-to-back titles (joining former rivals Brazil and Italy).
Now comes a meeting of generational icons in which the circle is completely closed. Messi, who once at the age of 19 did a promotional photo shoot for Barcelona with a baby Lamine Yamal in his arms, will face off this Sunday when Argentina takes on Spain. The final between the champions of Europe and South America will take place.
It will be a meeting of the past, present and future. But the most important thing is that it will be a final of steel and grace. For Argentina, it is an incredible opportunity to repeat the glory. For Spain, an opportunity to win its second title and first since 2010.
And for all of us it is one more opportunity to witness Messi. Inevitable. Omnipresent. The undisputed king of the kingdom.
