Argentina are on a 32-match unbeaten streak and are one of the most likely to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar come the final in December 2022. Their latest glory came after beating Euro 2020 champions Italy in the Finalissiama making it their second title in a short span as they had bagged the Copa America after thrashing Brazil in the final. Who is the man behind the success of the South American nation? Your guess is as good as mine, Lionel Messi is the individual credited with flying the Argentina flag high. He is the undisputed football superstar of our generation and even some argue that he is the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) though that is an ongoing debate as the name of Cristiano Ronaldo also pops up sparking heated debate for hours on end amongst football lovers across the spectrum.  With great fame and opulence comes great responsibility and one will not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi carries the hope of a nation on his shoulders, one that can only be eased upon him after he brings the much-coveted world cup trophy home. 

Argentina came very close to lifting the trophy in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, one that proved to be so near yet too far as a second-half extra-time goal by Mario Gotze denied them the opportunity as Germany went ahead to be crowned the champions after that exciting thriller of a final. Messi is a football superstar who has wild fans who idolize him to the extent of being viewed as a ‘god’ by some of his crazily passionate lovers. To many, they are dying to see their legend lift the most important trophy in the football world as it is widely accepted that he, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, will be participating in their final continental showpiece at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The Finalissima game at the Wembley Stadium had in excess of about 10,000 more fans in attendance both inside and outside the stadium than the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid held at the Stade de France and many argue this has nothing to do with the stadia seating capacities but everything to do with the Messi effect.

The South American nation has not enjoyed any World Cup glory following the retirement of the late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona. Many view Lionel Messi as an even better version of Diego Maradona and he is now under a lot of pressure even from non-Argentines(I will not be wrong to say more than half the global population) to write his name in the World Cup books as a winner. At Paris Saint Germain, Messi has adopted a less advanced and less demanding role contrary to the aggressive role he played at Barcelona. This is understandable as he has ‘delegated’ the position to rising French star Kylian Mbappe, an indication that the Argentine football genius values the mentorship of young players. With the help of fellow top-notch Argentine teammates such as Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala, and Lautaro Martinez just to mention but a few, Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer to ever grace the game of football is expected to lead Argentina to victory in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. What a moment that will be!