For countless football fans across India and the globe, December 18 is far more than just a date on the calendar. It marks the anniversary of one of the sport's most iconic nights, when Lionel Messi finally completed football by lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy for Argentina.
From Lingering Doubt to Football Immortality
Under the dazzling lights of Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 18, 2022, a narrative decades in the making reached its climax. For Messi, a career adorned with every conceivable club honour—Champions League titles, multiple Ballon d'Or awards, and countless scoring records—had one glaring void: the World Cup. In Argentina, a nation that revered Diego Maradona's 1986 triumph, this absence was a heavy burden.
The campaign in Qatar began with shocking uncertainty after a defeat to Saudi Arabia. Yet, from that moment of potential disaster, Messi and his team forged a path of resilience. He became the team's calm leader, scoring crucial goals and providing inspiration. Through victories against Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia, Argentina grew in strength, with Messi as their undisputed emotional and tactical compass.
The Epic Final: A Rollercoaster for the Ages
The stage was set for a legendary showdown: Argentina versus France, pitting Messi's genius against the explosive talent of Kylian Mbappé. Many saw it as a passing of the torch, but Messi authored his own script. He calmly converted a first-half penalty and later scored a second, putting Argentina in a commanding 2-0 position and the dream within touching distance.
However, the drama was just beginning. In a stunning two-minute spell, Mbappé scored twice to force the game into extra time. Undeterred, Messi pushed Argentina ahead again at 3-2, only for Mbappé to complete his hat-trick with another penalty. The destiny of the World Cup would be decided by a penalty shootout, a scenario that had haunted Argentina in the past.
Tears of Redemption and a Legacy Sealed
This time, the story had a different ending. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez emerged as a hero, the Argentine penalty-takers held their nerve, and when Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive kick, Messi fell to his knees. The image of him, tears flowing, finally lifting the World Cup while draped in the traditional black bisht, is frozen in sporting history.
The victory was more than just a trophy; it was national healing for Argentina. It ended the generational debate and allowed Messi to be celebrated without any caveats. For Messi himself, it was the ultimate redemption and validation, proving his greatness on the very stage that defines legends.
Two years later, the significance of December 18 only deepens. It is no longer just a date but a landmark in football history—the night Lionel Messi, with the World Cup firmly in his grasp, stepped beyond debate and into eternal sporting legend.
