Lionel Messi has crossed one of the few remaining frontiers, turning fiction into reality in the process. Legendary film director Steven Spielberg opens his brand-new film Disclosure Day with an alien encounter in Kansas City. Just days after its release, the film seems almost prophetic, with Argentina’s number 10 touching down in the city and beginning his sixth campaign with an out-of-this-world performance that once again defied the laws of football, logic and time.
Argentina began the defence of their crown with the authority of reigning champions. La Albiceleste reduced a brave Algerian side to a mere supporting role and unlocked the decisive edge thanks to the captain’s genius in another feat for the annals of his indelible legend.
Messi broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with an unstoppable left-footed strike from distance, doubled the lead with a composed finish on the hour-mark and then, with 14 minutes remaining, dashed any Algerian hopes with an exquisite shot into the bottom corner of Luca Zidane’s goal from the edge of the box.
“Class is permanent,” conceded defeated Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic. “We’re not talking about just any footballer. He’s been doing incredible things for many years, for decades.”
Riyad Mahrez, who came off the bench in the second half in search of a comeback that never materialised, also paid tribute to the Argentina legend: “They’ve got Messi; that makes all the difference.”
Just days before his 39th birthday, Messi made all the difference once again. “What he did today sums up everything he’s done over the last 20 years of his career,” Lionel Scaloni told FIFA.
“I don’t know what else is left to say. We just have to enjoy him. We’ve seen him do incredible things and he’ll never stop doing them, even if he’s 45. What’ll happen is he’ll keep getting older, older and older. But everything we’ve seen over the past 20 years isn’t going to change.”
Argentinian singer Carlos Gardel famously sang “Twenty years is nothing,” and Messi proved him right. Exactly two decades after his World Cup bow in an unforgettable 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 tournament in Germany, the captain put in one of the most dazzling displays of his career. The goals were merely the highlights of a complete masterclass.
Operating from the right as in years gone by, Messi roamed across the entire attacking line and frequently dropped deep to help build the play. With bursts of pace reminiscent of bygone eras, relying purely on speed and power, Messi was an elusive presence for an Algeria side that opted against marking him tightly.
He also took part in the pressing and even helped out defensively: “It’s as if time never catches up with him,” said Enzo Fernandez. “He had a brilliant game. He’s the greatest player of all time.”
“If anyone thought this team was better off without Leo, today it became clear that he’s the most important player of all,” added Alexis Mac Allister. “We have to build a team around him so he feels comfortable. Today we’re doing just that and he’s performing well. He’s happy and he’s scoring goals.”
It was an emotional night for Messi, who broke down in tears after his first goal and shed more after the final whistle. “It was completely unrelated to sport,” he said of his tears. “I’ve had a few difficult days. I’m grateful to the whole delegation and my team-mates because, as always, they’ve stood by me and given me a lot of strength to get through this.”
Scaloni was also moved when he decided to withdraw Messi with 10 minutes to go. After leaving to a standing ovation from the whole stadium, Messi embraced the coach with emotions spilling over. “I love you very much,” he told his captain. “Messi will always be the greatest of all time,” the coach added later on. “It’ll be very difficult for anyone to match him.”
It was another historic day for the number 10: in his 200th appearance for Argentina, he equalled Miroslav Klose’s 16-goal tally as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. “It’s an honour to be alongside Klose, but it doesn’t mean anything,” Messi said.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a statistic and nothing more. While I’m proud to be able to compete with them, it doesn’t mean anything. For me, Ronaldo [Nazario] was one of the greatest and he isn’t top of the list, so it’s just a statistic.”
Messi made his debut as Maradona’s potential heir 20 years ago. A decade ago La Pulga was at the centre of a scene that left his country speechless: after missing a spot kick in the Copa America Centenario final against Chile in a third consecutive penalty shoot-out defeat, he announced his retirement from international football.
Messi, however, would eventually resume his international career and finally got his hands on the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. “Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to achieve all my dreams – and more – both individually and as part of a team. I’m relishing this now, as part of a wonderful group and I feel good about being able to enjoy it on the pitch. Everything I’ve experienced is far more than I could ever have imagined as a child.”
With the football world once again at his feet, Messi has once again demonstrated his competitive drive as he continues to break records and inspire fresh dreams. He added: “I just love playing football. It’s been my passion since I was a little boy, and when I feel good, I give it my absolute all.
“We’re watching the Rafa Nadal documentary series and we’re very similar. I identify with him a lot. I always want to give my all and feel good. That’s how I enjoy it. As long as I can and I’m fit enough to do it, I’ll be there.“
Sources: FIFA Official
