Few more elusive and discouraging stories than that of Leo Messi and the World Cup. Few looks are as empty and disconsolate as that of the Argentine, captain of his team, when he went up the stairs of the Maracana and passed by the trophy. Messi was runner-up and was not going to lift the cup. Germany had deprived him of the title with a goal in extra time. The photo, by reporter Bao Tailang, won the World Press Photo in the Sports category. Messi was 27 years old. He was in the fullness of it. And at that moment he doubted if he would have another chance like that. It was not be for lowerly. After losing two other Copa América finals, he even left the national team for a moment, with his heart aching from so much blow. Who was going to tell him then that eight years after that blow he would return to a World Cup excited?
At the age of 35, Leo dreams of winning the only major title that resists him and also giving his country the third world cup, after Maradona's 1978 and 1986. It is the trophy that he has always pursued, that has always been claimed, that has given him so much torment. He made his debut and caught the bug in Germany with Pékerman, was disappointed in South Africa with Maradona, was very close in Brazil with Sabella, crashed in Russia under Sampaoli and has become one of the favorites for Qatar, along with Scaloni, his former teammate in 2006. Finally, the ten is at peace with the albiceleste, receives the recognition that was denied to him, feels loved and has found there the haven of tranquility and good vibes that before, in his times of friction, gave him gave Barça.
Away from the Camp Nou, he is happy in Argentina, with which he has won the Copa América against Brazil and the 'Finalissima' against Italy. It is his space, with a team at his level that responds to him. Now it is his turn to confirm and lead. Leo Messi is the top scorer for La Albiceleste, he is the second top scorer in the Champions League and he broke all scoring records for Barcelona, with 672 goals. But he has never scored in the World Cup qualifiers. All six of his goals came in the group stage, three of them against Nigeria. This time he will not have an African team in group C, in which he will meet several acquaintances.
It will start against Saudi Arabia, which will be almost like a host and whose players will be highly adapted to the weather and stadium conditions. The second rival is Mexico, led by Gerardo Martino. Tata was Messi's coach at Barça and the national team. Finally, Poland will be measured, where the duel with Lewandowski, the current offensive reference of the Camp Nou and that some of his words did not fit well at the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony, will stand out.
