My most prized possession. —Photo by author
Following that game, I wouldn’t cross paths with Argentina and Messi until their round-of-16 match against Switzerland in Sao Paulo.
Even then, he proved to be the difference. Messi had been the biggest star of the World Cup, scoring four goals in the group stage, and then against the Swiss, he provided the pass for Angel Di Maria’s extra-time winner.
He was leading Argentina towards their third World Cup crown and discussions at the media centre now centered on whether that achievement would see him eclipse Diego Maradona and enter a pantheon of greats who have won it all; both club and country.
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At this World Cup, Messi also put to rest the notion that he doesn’t perform for Argentina the way he does for Barca.
In the bitter cold at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo during Argentina’s semi-final win over the Netherlands, I saw Messi’s wide smile as the Albiceleste won the penalty shootout.
Just 90 minutes away from winning his first major title with Argentina, this was his date with destiny, his chance at football immortality. The final at Maracana was set up only for Messi, it seemed.
But against Germany, he couldn’t drag Argentina past the finish line.
The debate, which he looked poised to end, started afresh:
“Maradona and Messi … no comparison,” former Chile star Ivan Zamorano told me after the final.
In his shock announcement after the Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile yesterday, I can only hope to see him in an Argentina shirt again as I rue a missed chance.
Last year, I received the accreditation to cover the Champions League Final in Berlin — involving Messi’s Barca and Juventus.
Messi playing for a Barca shirt? I wasn't going to say no to that.
But my hopes were swiftly dashed by the required visa time demand of the German Consulate in Karachi.
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I might live to regret that if Messi were to announce retirement from club football also because he was the star of the final. Covering a match featuring Messi’s Barca remains on my bucket-list.
The loss to Chile came exactly a year after Argentina had lost to the same opponents — that too on penalties — in the final of the Copa America. With a third final loss in three years, I believe Messi’s decision has come in the heat of the moment.
With the FIFA World Cup in Russia just two years away, I, and millions of football fans around the world, hope Messi reconsiders his decision and takes a final shot at the world title in 2018.
If he doesn’t, those four matches in Brazil, and his autograph will be my lifelong consolation.