Messi... 'carrying his quarter'
When the scoreboard indicated Argentina trailing 3-4 to France in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16, signaling their elimination from the tournament, Tunisian sports commentator Essam El-Shawaly remarked, “This match marks Lionel Messi’s final appearance at the World Cup,” justifying his statement by noting that Messi would be 35 years old by the time of the next edition (2022).
Subsequently, Argentina won the World Cup title in the following edition held in Qatar in 2022. And yesterday, Messi fulfilled the proverb attributed to Al-Shafi’i: “The longer a rosewood stick is burned, the more fragrant it becomes.” At 39 years old, “The Short Magician” carried his national team on his shoulders, leading them to the final of the 2026 World Cup.
Messi turned the tables on England, transforming a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 victory in the match played yesterday evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA. Nearing his fortieth birthday, he played the full match against “The Three Lions.” Not only that, but he created both of Argentina’s goals, one with his weaker foot (right), and before that, he delivered two passes: the first hit the post, and the second was miraculously saved by goalkeeper Pickford.
French coach Arsène Wenger stated, “England’s players tried to provoke Messi a lot. I said years ago, ‘Do not provoke Messi,’ and today the world witnessed how he single-handedly led Argentina to the final with ease in less than 10 minutes. What he is doing is unnatural.”
Although football legend Messi did not score in the match, he succeeded in creating both goals in less than seven minutes (85th and 90+2nd minutes), proving once again that age is just a number, that he is capable of making history, and that he can write a new chapter in the art of football.
He scored seven goals in the 2022 World Cup and eight in the current edition, topping the all-time World Cup top scorers list with 21 goals. In the 2026 World Cup, he delivered a legendary performance: he is the player with the most chances created, the most successful dribbles, and the second-most assists.
Messi has won several titles: Copa América 2021, Finalissima 2022, the 2022 World Cup, and Copa América 2024. He once again led “La Albiceleste” to the World Cup final and possesses an unmatched passion for competing in every tournament he participates in.
It is difficult to describe what Messi is doing. He does not need to show off, nor does he seek attention or invent celebrations to gain popularity. He does not declare himself the best; he wants the world to say it. He does not seek personal glory. All that matters to him is football and his national team. Although he will play in his third World Cup final (after 2014 and 2022), becoming the second player to achieve this milestone, tying with Brazilian Cafu (1994, 1998, and 2002).
In the world of the beautiful game, there are stories told, and then there is Messi—a remarkable tale that transcends logic. The first half of the poetic couplet by Abu Faris al-Hamdani perfectly captures his essence: “My people will remember me when their elder is remembered.” This saying has been proven true after he “lifted his quarter” before the “Three Lions” and propelled the “Tango” once again to the final.
