Messi The Prince of Football, will remain a guiding star
Spain have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup title by defeating Argentina.
Any objective analysis would conclude Spain won the World Cup as a truly deserving team; Argentina failed to put up any real fight during the 120-minute final.
Guest’s column
Who knows, the final match at MetLife Stadium would turn out to be the last international match of Messi’s career? That is exactly what happened.
Messi has announced his retirement from international football. He will no longer be seen playing in the Argentina jersey.
Whether or not you support Argentina or Messi, you cannot help but be captivated by him.
You certainly won’t easily find another player like him, someone who has rewritten the football record books over the course of more than two decades.
Eight Ballons d’Or, second-highest goal scorer in international football, second-highest goal scorer in the history of the sport, the most team trophies, second-highest goal tally in World Cup history, best player at two World Cups, most ‘Man of the Match’ awards in World Cup history-the list of records Messi is amassing is truly countless. How can one not pay respectful homage to such a player?
Messi was impeccable throughout the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup. To me, this World Cup Messi seemed even more effective and dangerous than the Messi who won the World Cup and the ‘Golden Ball’ in 2022. Eight goals and four assists at the age of 39.
Twenty-one goals-the second-highest tally in World Cup history. Being named ‘Man of the Match’ in five out of the eight games leading up to the final-can you imagine that?
Football legend Pele once remarked in a discussion, “God helps those who do their job properly.”
It was because Messi’s teammates effectively fulfilled their roles that they were able to come such a long way.
It is true; Messi couldn’t lead the team to a second World Cup title. Yet, Messi stands alone.
Argentina had not won a single trophy since the 1986 World Cup or the 1994 Copa America; it was Messi who finally led that same Argentina side to the Copa America title in 2021, ending a 28-year drought.
Then came the Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup, and another Copa America in 2024. It was Messi who transformed Argentina into an invincible team.
Even if he loses the 2026 World Cup final or retires from football, Lionel Messi-the ‘Prince of Football’-will remain a guiding star in the distant firmament.
He will forever shine brightly in the hearts of true fans who seek to delve deep into the essence of the sport.
Author: Senior Vice President, Bangladesh Football Federation,
President, Bashundhara Kings.
