When asked about the 2022 World Cup Argentinian Fans have had the same reply “It’s Messi’s World Cup.” There is hardly a mention of the nation, just the one man who deserves to win it. Now the final game sits there on the horizon and Lionel Messi is almost there. Almost.
Destiny is a tool used by writers to affirm the final result. Of course this person or team won. Such a thing is destined because that is what HAD to happen. Nothing could stop the result and its outcome, there was nothing that could stand in the way.
France and Moroccan Destiny?
There will be a team facing Argentina and Lionel Messi this weekend. The other second semi-final has not been played out between France and Morocco. The challenger will be there to stop destiny of Lionel Messi and his many fans and supporters.
Both France and Morocco have a destiny to achieve. For Morocco it will be the first time an African nation has made the World Cup Final. For France it will be the opportunity to win the world cup back to back. It is rare to win successive World Cups only Italy (1934-38) and Brazil (1958-62) have done it.
To say that Lionel Messi deserves to win a World Cup is obvious. So did Dennis Bergkamp, Eden Hazzard, Luka Modric and, yes, Cristiano Ronaldo. The difference between those players and Lionel Messi is that Argentina has won World Cups before (1978 and 1986). Having been to the top before surely the greatness of Messi can get them there again. It is sentimental and nostalgic and it works.
Not Just Messi Alone
What also helps is that Lionel Messi is a very likeable character. A class act a team player. Yes he has the skills to put the ball in the net all by himself. However as the semi-final proved more than once he is willing to play others in. Just a single well placed touch put Julián Álvarez on to run into score thee second goal.
In mentioning Julián Álvarez, we must implore that the Argentinian team is not just Messi. Álvarez was instrumental in all three goals as much as Messi was. Their midfield is good, their defence is solid, Emiliano Martinez in goal is top class. Class he showed in the penalty shoot out against the Netherlands. Messi is just the icing on the top a very delicious cake.
Remember Greece?
You do not get to a World Cup final by just luck. Yes so much has to go your way, however there has not been a new winner of a world cup since Spain. The belief, national structures, talent pool and experience all have to combine at the right time. Like this World Up even Brazil and Germany miss out sometimes.
Is it Destiny for Messi? Or is there another story to be told in the coming World Cup final? On paper you cannot deny France another shot at the World Cup. However the Moroccan team defence is very organised. Please remember a similar defence took Greece to the 2004 European Cup. Greece won it 1-0. It could happen again.
Phillip Hall has been too long in Melbourne to see AFL in the same light as those back in Fremantle. East Fremantle born and bred, he would love to see the Dockers back in the eight. But would settle for just beating West Coast twice a year.
