Thank you, Lionel Messi, for giving the world one last bit of magic
As I prepared for the World Cup final on Sunday, it felt like preparing for a magic show. The magician was ready to take the stage. The deck of cards was ready. The hat was lying on the table waiting for the rabbit to be pulled out of it. The fearless, ever-smiling assistant was ready to play his part.
When Lionel Messi walked off at MetLife Stadium, it felt like a magician preparing for Houdini’s final act. Even neutrals tuned in to see if the 39-year-old could actually do it and make history. Some would even argue that it was his destiny.
Yet, much like the famous documentary series Breaking the Magician’s Code from the late 1990s, Spain disillusioned and disarmed the magic that Messi possessed.
The Argentina captain cut an isolated figure with tears streaming down his cheeks as he watched Spain lift the trophy.
It was a moment of real disappointment for me.
A few years ago this would have been a sight I would have enjoyed. My commitment to Manchester United meant I grew up a Cristiano Ronaldo fan.
After all, Messi twice ensured my team was humbled in the UEFA Champions League final, taking Barcelona to new heights.
But somehow, even though I had a shift just a few hours later, I found myself up at 4 a.m. scrolling through social media and waiting for his response.
Or, to be more precise, awaiting news of his retirement from international football.
ENJOY THE PHENOMENON OF MEAT
Lionel Messi celebrates after the World Cup semi-final against England. Courtesy: Reuters
Until the 2022 World Cup, I decided to enjoy Messi as a player without any bias.
By then he had already left his home of Barcelona and was struggling to find his footing at PSG while trying to propel them to major honours.
The beginning was not ideal. Defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022 FIFA World Cup he raised fresh questions about whether his international career was ever destined to reach the heights of Pele or Maradona.
But watching him terrorize teams over the years, you always knew a famous magic trick was just around the corner.
That’s exactly what happened.
Messi began to turn matches on their heads and brought Argentina into the knockout stages. Just like the fans, his teammates rallied around him and made his dream of winning the World Cup come true.
Even in arguably the greatest World Cup final of all time, Messi was pushed to the limit by Kylian Mbappe and France.
But just when Argentina needed him most, a rabbit popped out of the hat in the form of a brace that brought him his first World Cup title.
And as the famous Peter Drury said the other night in Qatar, Messi has finally shaken hands with paradise.
Fast forward to 2026 and doubts persisted.
Messi no longer played in Europe. He traded the bright lights for a more relaxed environment in Miami.
He has become the biggest attraction in Major League Soccer, a league often referred to as a retirement home for soccer’s biggest names. Coming up against opponents who play in much stronger leagues meant that Messi once again had something to prove.
Then came the match against Algeria.
The hat-trick silenced the doubters and perhaps reminded Messi himself that his old tricks can still charm the crowd.
He soon broke the record for most goals in World Cup history and once again it felt as if Argentina were rallying around him. Their mission was simple: to make their Messiah the world champion again.
“We know that Messi is 39 years old, he has everything a footballer could wish for and then he still fights like the best. So for us, the only thing left is to give EVERYTHING we have, to run for him and for Argentina,” an emotional Giuliano Simeone said during the post-match interview after their semi-final win against England.
They carried it and celebrated this phenomenon as their greatest prize.
Sometimes it felt even more valuable than the World Cup trophy itself.
The goals dried up for Messi after that, but his influence never did.
Two assists against England were enough to send Argentina to another World Cup final.
Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists.
The similarities between his 2022 and 2026 World Cup campaigns didn’t stop there.
SUPERMAN IS HUMAN
Lionel Messi was the best for Argentina at the World Cup. Courtesy: Reuters
When I watched the 2025 version of Superman, there was something fascinating about how one of the world’s greatest superheroes became a little more human.
You don’t often see Superman monologuing about being like everyone else or dealing with relationship issues with Lois Lane.
Messi may be Superman whenever the ball is at his feet, but he’s always been the introverted, shy boy from Rosario.
While he has often shown flashes of emotion on the pitch, the 2022 and 2026 World Cups have reminded everyone that he is truly human.
No one can forget his fiery celebrations against the Netherlands and Louis van Gaal or his famous “que mira bobo” line against Wout Weghorst.
This time there were tears of joy after his hat-trick against Algeria.
After Argentina he survived the great fear against Egypt in the round of 16, Messi again struggled to hold back tears.
Even the final served as a reminder that Messi alone cannot get Argentina over the line.
It was a harsh lesson that Spain provided.
LEAVING LIKE A GOAT
Lionel Messi became the oldest to score a hat-trick at the FIFA World Cup. Courtesy: Reuters
Like him or not, looking back at his last two World Cup campaigns it’s clear why so many people see Messi as the GOAT.
Certainly no disrespect to Ronaldo, but Messi just ticks almost every box.
A single moment on the pitch was all it took for him to change the game and inspire his team to victory.
Perhaps his biggest admirer was his own manager, Lionel Scaloni, who believed the debate was over before Argentina even reached the final.
“There is no longer any doubt that he is the best footballer in history,” said a proud Scaloni after the win over England.
Messi’s greatness was never limited to what he did with the ball.
It also showed in his ability to bring teammates together for a common purpose.
Even though the odds seemed stacked against them, Argentina kept believing and pushing.
So when Messi stood there in tears after the final whistle, the reaction from fans and opponents alike was not celebration but gratitude.
Gratitude for the maestro and the magic he gave to the football world.
When my shift finally ended on Monday, I had only one thought left.
Enjoy the career of Lionel Messi.
Whether he decides to retire early or not, he feels his spell on the international stage has reached its final chapter.
All I could say in conclusion was:
“Thank you, Messi, for that last act of magic.
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– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
Jul 21, 2026 11:27 am IST