A life-size statue has been unveiled in Argentina in honor of the legendary performance of Lionel Messi in the 2022 World Cup, MySportDab reports.
The 2022 World Cup has come and gone but the memories will linger like dust stirred under the fiery darts of the midmorning sun.
The story of the 2022 World Cup cannot be complete if Lionel Messi is not mentioned, a living legend and a beckon of other top stars in the game.
With his magic left foot, Lionel Messi did wonders at Barcelona and won almost everything with the Albiceleste but had to wait for 18 years before touching the 18-carat gold trophy that has eluded his grasp.
Argentina won the World twice in 1978 and 1986 but nearly deprived one of her greatest stars – Lionel Messi – a feel of the most coveted football trophy.
Messi had hinted he may likely retire after the 2022 World Cup – a feeling that was well understood after four appearances in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions of the tournament.
He nearly nicked it in 2014 but was denied by Germany; a lone goal by Mario Gotze condemned the Albiceleste to a defeat and elongated Lionel Messi’s search for the World Cup trophy.
The 2022 World Cup was a challenge to Lionel Messi.
Approaching the twilights of his football career, it was clear the tournament was a “win it or quit edition” for Messi.
After a shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi picked his magic wand and shouldered the burden of returning the Albiceleste to winning ways.
He led the team, hurdling through the best teams in Europe to reach the finals.
Against France, Lionel Messi produced a man-of-the-match performance to see the team through in the shootouts.
Finally, Mess ended his 18 years wait for the World Cup trophy.
While Argentina won the World Cup it is safe to say Messi won the World Cup for Argentina and crowned his legendary career with the most coveted football trophy.
Lionel Messi’s influence in Albiceleste’s World Cup winning run in Qatar cannot be overemphasized.
Argentinians were full of praise for the Barcelona legend and the passion at Bueno Aires was clear evidence.
Now, Argentina and CONMEBOL have decided to immortalize Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup heroics with a larger-than-life-size statue.
Messi was overwhelmed with joy when the statue was unveiled.
He stood a bit shy in height to the larger-than-life-size statue with emotions filling his eyeballs.
It was an honor well deserved; the little boy from Rosario has indeed raised the bar and blazed a trail in the game!
The statue will be kept at CONMEBOL headquarters alongside two other other South American football greats – Diego Maradona and Pele.
