SWILA: Why football owes Messi the World Cup title, the French must not spoil the party

Stories have been told of how a kid, born 35 years ago, on 24th June 1987, in Rosario, Sante Fe, Argentina faced the bleak prospects of not realising his immense football potential.

At the age of 10, this kid was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. His poor family could not afford treatment. But with his talent, luck beckoned, and it was not long before he was scouted by Barcelona, landing on the Spanish shores in February 2001. And as they say, the rest is history.

The diminutive, nimble-left-footed attacker happened to be one Lionel Andres Messi, the tiny-framed man on whose small shoulders rests the hopes of 45 million Argentines, and who overcame such adversity to become arguably the greatest footballer of all-time.  He has gone on to light up the football world in a way, probably, none will, in our lifetime.  A global football icon, a football legend, a gentle yet ruthless soul in front of goal, Leo, as he is fondly known, has permanently engraved his name in football folklore. He will be studied for ages, and stories will be told of him, many, many years after we're gone - only a fool could argue against that.

 His stuff is legendary. His stats, which includes six Ballon d'Or, the most by any single player to have ever played the beautiful game, a record six European Golden Shoes, four UEFA Champions League title, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa Del Rey, Copa America title, and two-time World Cup finalist, and over 600 career goals, just to mention but a few, define how immense he has been in his natural habitat - the football cathedrals we call stadia.

He has given so much to the game, in a soft-candied fashion, that the game of football owes him in return, and that is why, when he walks out of the dugout on Sunday, at 1800hrs, in a sold-out Lusail Stadium, in a 2022 Fifa World Cup Final match against France, he should lift the title, the only crown lacking in his beautiful museum.

Football owes him. It should be his time. Divine intervention should go his way.

No disrespect to France. They are in this final by merit. They've had a good run and their depth tells it all, a team which is not dependent on any soul, like say, Argentina. But that is what makes Leo who he is - a magician.

Granted, Sunday's game will be determined with the slightest of margins, whoever will be more disciplined will take the honours, at times luck counts. It is my prayer that all this goes Messi's way. He's 35 and has seen it all. In 2014 in Brazil, he suffered the heartache of losing to a well-served German machine, falling 0-1 as the Germans lifted the coveted gong. Since then he's lost several cup finals, including the Copa America and with time he has developed a thick skin, and that is what makes tomorrow's final epic.

The beauty of defeat, I've learnt, it wakes us up. We realise just how vulnerable we are, and Messi knows that pain, and that is why the French should not add more pain . They must not spoil the party.

And ahead of this game, it is evident the final fever has gripped the world. From Buenos Aires to Nairobi and Doha, the epicentre of action, fans, football specialists and purists are talking about the game, but the name of one man - Messi - is on everyone's lips.

Not even Arsene Wenger, the man who revolutionised English football and now works as Fifa's Chief of Global Football Development could avoid that five letter name, when he briefed journalists on Saturday in Doha, giving the tactical and technical perspective of a competition that has so far yielded 163 goals from 62 matches.

Curtly, he said, "Argentina have technically gifted players like Messi '', not wanting to go into the nitty-gritty of where the dice could end tomorrow.

However, one thing that is in the hearts, minds and souls of many who are Messiah-naics - is a win for their man. That, would crown an impeccable playing career, and no one brought out this feeling than Argentina female journalist, Sofia Martinez, who in her interview with the Argentina captain, after he fired the White and Blue to the final, with a 3-0 rout over Croatia, starring with an outrageous assist and penalty, told him, " The last thing I want to tell you and is not a question, but I just wanted to say; the World Cup final is coming and sure, we all (Argentines) want you to win the cup.

"I just want to tell you that no matter the results, there's something that no one can take from you and is the fact you resonated with Argentineans, every single one - I'm being serious.

There's no kid who doesn't have your team shirt. No matter if it is a fake, real or made up one. Truly, you made your mark in everyone's life and that to me is beyond winning any World Cup."

That is a heavy statement, and it goes a long way to sum up the story, life, influence and impact Leo has had, not only in the game, but on current footballers, and would-be footballers. 

On that frantic night, in Lusail, as he and his team mates booked the final's berth, emotions ran high, as he did a jig before the adoring fans, numbering over 70, 000 and tomorrow night, the dance should have a beautiful ending.

The author, a radio editor at RMS, has covered every tidbit of the 2022 Fifa World Cup Finals in Doha.

isaac.swila@royamedia.co.ke