Argentina went down through a solitary objective to Germany within the summit conflict, with Mario Gotze scoring the overdue additional time winner. Messi used to be passed the Golden Ball for Player of the Tournament (a choice many did not accept as true with). But for him the World Cup trophy is what truly mattered, now not the prize for being the most productive within the event, which many would argue, he truly wasn’t in 2014.
Cut to 2022 and Messi reveals himself as soon as once more inside of touching distance of doing what his adolescence idol Diego Maradona did 36 years in the past. Standing in his and Argentina’s means this time will probably be both France or wonder bundle Morocco.
Messi has already introduced that the overall on Sunday will probably be his final World Cup fit for Argentina. It is actually now his final shot at glory and immortality.
Unlike 2014 even though, Messi has discovered beef up when he truly wanted it. Like within the semi-final vs Croatia, the place Juan Alvarez (who grew uo idolising Messi) scored two times and changed into Messi’s absolute best ‘spouse in crime’.
Regardless of whether or not Messi and Argentina win the World Cup this time or now not, the little magician has already damaged quite a lot of information in Qatar.
TimesofIndia.com right here takes a have a look at the World Cup information damaged through Messi to this point and those that he stands at the cusp of breaking:
1. Only participant to each rating and lend a hand in 4 other World Cup suits (as soon as in 2006, 3 times in 2022)
2. Only participant to attain and lend a hand in 3 other suits in one version of the World Cup, since 1966 (2022 version in Qatar). Has a complete of 8 World Cup assists to this point to his title (2006-2022)
3. Oldest participant (35) to attain 5 objectives in one version of the World Cup
4. Only participant to get at the assists sheet in 5 other editions of the World Cup (2006-2022)
5. Tied with Germany’s Lothar Matthaus for a file 25 World Cup appearances. Will dangle the solo file when he seems within the last on Sunday
6. One of most effective 5 avid gamers to attain in 4 other editions of the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the entire file (5). The different 3 who’ve scored in 4 other World Cups are: Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose
7. One of most effective six avid gamers to attain within the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, for the reason that Round of 16 used to be offered within the 1986 version. The different 5 are: Salvatore Schillaci (1990); Roberto Baggio (1994); Hristo Stoichkov (1994); Davor Suker (1998); Wesley Sneijder (2010)
8. Most objectives for Argentina ever within the World Cup, with 11. Went previous the previous file of 10 held through Gabriel Batistuta when he scored in opposition to Croatia within the first semi-final
9. Only the 8th participant to achieve the tally 11 World Cup objectives. Is lately tied with Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) and Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany).
10. Joint chief for scoring or aiding in probably the most choice of World Cup suits. Is tied with Brazil’s Ronaldo on 13
11. Joint chief for many assists within the knockout rounds. Tied with Pele on 6
12. Most choice of appearances as group captain – 18 for Argentina
Lionel Messi at Qatar 2022,
Goals: 5
Assists: 3
Lionel Messi on the 2014 World Cup (final time Argentina reached the overall):
Goals: 4
Assists: 1
Won the Golden Ball for Player of the Tournament