Messi sunset on the Boulevard masterclass: Days before the 39th hour, he answers Mbappe’s challenge

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (Image: AP) It was like watching a movie marathon at a film festival. Or a night music party.First, a blockbuster from reigning superstar Kylian Mbappe, followed by the debut feature of superhit newcomer Erling Haaland. Then, as dawn broke, came Lionel Messi’s cult classic, a statement, a reminder, almost paraphrasing Norma Desmond’s immortal lines: “I am big. They are pictures that are small.”Mbappe scored his World Cup goals Nos 13 and 14 to kick-start the race as he overtook Messi, who was in the 13th hour. A few hours later, the Argentinian rose to the challenge and raced past the younger star, making three quick shots to tie Germany’s Miroslav Klose for an all-time high of 16.

16 foot long path

Messi, the winner of the ‘third star’ for Argentina, gave the Kansas City Stadium crowd three madly nervous moments as his Algerian opponents were caught in a dilemma – whether to applaud the man or rise to fight on.As India woke early from their slumber on Wednesday, Messi tapped in his 14th, 15th and 16th World Cup goals, the last followed by a cheeky wink at a team-mate. Maybe he has plans to celebrate his birthday, his 39th birthday is coming up in 10 days. A superb hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fennecs saw good old Leo move into a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klos for the men’s World Cup career record. “Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve all my dreams – or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving – professionally and personally,” Messi said after his breathless passing.Over two decades, six tournaments and countless unforgettable moments, Messi’s World Cup story is a unique evolution – from a gifted teenager to a global icon who has conquered football’s biggest stage. His journey to 16 World Cup goals is not just a statistical feat; it’s a story of perseverance, heartbreak, redemption, and enduring perfection.Messi’s World Cup adventure began in Germany in 2006. At just 18, the young Argentine announced himself to the world in spectacular fashion with his long hair and scoring with his right foot. However, Messi’s tournament ended in disappointment as Argentina were knocked out by Germany on penalties.But the countdown has begun.Winning the World Cup in Qatar would be the perfect ending to Messi’s story. However, the man decided to extend the story. Returning for the 2026 tournament in North America, he became the first man to appear in six World Cups, beating rival Cristiano Ronaldo on the day.And 20 years to the day, Messi reached the top. The 17th-minute curling strike took his goal tally to 14 and tied him with German legend Gerd Mueller and Mbappe on the all-time scoring record. He then went past both of Europe’s top scorers to join Brazilian icon Ronaldo on 15 goals in the 60th minute, plunging home the rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s shot to double the lead.With a quarter of an hour remaining, he equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 goals when he swept a low finish into the net from the edge of the penalty area before receiving a standing ovation four minutes later.“But I don’t think it means anything,” Messi reminded us later, “In the end it’s just a statistic and nothing more.” Sure, maybe for him. But not for the rest of the world. They are waiting for him to get another moment of excitement.The man whose left foot set the bar and benchmark for footballing excellence started his 16 goal journey with his right foot!It was a race against perfection itself. His journey recalls Konstantin Simonov’s line: “Wait for me/ Wait! No rush and drink with them! Tell them to wait and see!”In Kansas City, Messi began a new chapter in his endless epic.