This was Messi's fifth World Cup and what many people - Messi, included - believed would be his last Cup, no matter what. The tournament started off brightly with Argentina going up 1-0 after a Messi penalty in the first match against Saudi Arabia. However, the lead would be short-lived as Saudi Arabia came back to score two goals in the second half and shock the Albiceleste. Many called it the greatest upset in the history of the tournament, and one would be hard-pressed to find a similar debacle.
From there, every game turned into a final, or must-win game, for Argentina, and they seemed up for the challenge. In the second match, Argentina dispatched Mexico 2-0 with Messi scoring another goal. In the final group stage match, Argentina dispatched Poland 2-0 to top the group.
From there, Argentina beat Australia in the round of 16 with another goal from Messi. The quarterfinal was a tight affair against the Dutch that proved to be much more dramatic than any Argentina fan would have hoped for. After going up 2-0, Argentina conceded two goals late, which forced the game to penalties. Fortunately, Argentina converted all of theirs, eliminating the Dutch.
In the semifinal, Argentina cruised to victory against a depleted Croatia to set up the game of the tournament - Argentina vs. France, the team of Messi's teammate at Paris Saint Germain. In the early minutes, Argentina dominated the game and took a 2-0 lead into half after a Messi penalty and a gorgeous five-pass attack that Messi started from midfield. Late in regular time, Argentina seemed to collapse, surrendering two goals, including a penalty, and the game was on to extra time.
Messi appeared to seal the game in the second period of extra time after putting in a rebound from the keeper with his weaker right foot. However, Argentina again committed a foul in the box, handing Mbappe a chance to level things. Mbappe took his penalty with aplomb, sending the game into the "lottery" of a penalty shootout. I say "lottery" because, in fact, there is much more than luck at play in successful penalty shootouts. All the suffering, all the waiting, and the practice of their quarterfinal win had brought Argentina to this moment that might just be their moment.
Mbappe shot first and expertly converted his kick. Messi countered and dispatched his kick. Honors even. The next two French takers missed theirs, while Argentina executed theirs for a 3-1 score. The French made their next shot, meaning that the next shot by Argentina could end it.
Up stepped Gonzalo Montiel, the defender who had committed a handball offense at the end of the second period that had given France a lifeline. Thoughts of that error and the many agonies of Argentinian soccer over the past 36 years since their last World Cup could have been foremost in his mind. However, on this day, Montiel cooly stepped up and slotted his penalty home. The team rushed the field. I began to weep.
This moment felt like such a tremendous relief - like watching one of my kids achieve their dream. It has been 12 years since I started following the jaw-dropping exploits of Messi - the length of a childhood - so it was very fitting that this moment equalled the joys of seeing a child succeed.
We do not know when Messi will move on from the game. However, what seems very clear is that today the world came to see on the biggest and most defining stage of them all what many of us have known for so long. Lionel Messi is simply the greatest who ever played this game, and we have been so fortunate to witness him. Congrats Leo! With love, all of us.
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