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Reuben Joe Joseph
Reuben Joe Joseph

FOOTBALL

30 years of Messi magic

INDIA-SOCCER-MESSI Indian football fans feed a piece of cake to a poster bearing the image of Argentine striker Lionel Messi during an event to celebrate his birthday in Kolkata | AFP

I woke up one June morning in 2008, uncharacteristically excited about the prospect of heading to school. I had spent the days leading up to this one, meticulously planning a mini-celebration with what little pocket money I had.

I managed to conceal a couple of packets of corn puffs and Cadbury Gems in my school bag. Fearing a parental reprimand for my silly antics, I made sure that the contraband (which included a poster) was out of sight.

But celebrate I did. I got a few classmates to gather around the poster, which I had pinned to a notice board, during recess. We sang for the birthday boy we had never met and I distributed the nibbles.

Such was the craze I had for a little genius, who was probably my height back then, but was busy redefining a sport. That was eight years to this day, and my admiration for Lionel Andres Messi has never waned.

My gamble paid off. A player who was merely warming up to reach the peak of his skills had convinced me, along with so many wide-eyed kids around the world, that what we witnessed was just the tip of the iceberg.

Given that we know enough about Messi, I will skip a history lesson. I choose not to harp on his accomplishments or his undeniable impression on the game. Sports journos the world over have exhausted their repository of adjectives to describe the icon, his game, his humility, his legacy and what not.

But, tarry a little, while I, on the occasion of his 30th birthday, draw your attention to the other direction of La Pulga’s universe—his future.

As Messi glides into the ‘wrong side of 30’, it is very likely that he will follow in the footsteps of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo, and outperform his 20s self.

Messi and his Portuguese counterpart have shown no signs of slowing down, with absolutely no regard for their seniors, their peers or their juniors. Thankfully, there is yet to be a worthy contender to this duopoly.

But Messi's role over the last decade has metamorphosed; he has donned the role of an unselfish creator, shedding the skin of a sublime finisher, with gusto.

He was still the club's most predatory goalscorer in the previous season, but statistics show a steady rise in assists—reminiscent of ex-Catalan Xavi and the club captain Andres Iniesta.

Messi will continue to excel in the role of wrecker-in-chief, but it will be interesting to see how he contributes for the national and club teams—both entering a new era with newly announced coaches.

As he crosses 30, Messi still has his biggest challenge to look forward to. Argentina are struggling to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. The legend has to rally his men as he attempts, probably for the last time, to lead his nation to World Cup glory—the most conspicuous miss in his trophy cabinet.

He may not have the best Argentine teammates at his disposal in Russia next year, but with the steady rise of Messi-esque Paulo Dybala, it will be a sight for sore eyes if the two combine to make up for the nation's defensive frailties.

The heartbreak caused the losses in the finals of 2014 WC and two Copa America tournaments could spur the team. Winning the ultimate prize may seem like a distant dream, but fairytale comebacks are not something new to the Barcelona man. (Barca-PSG. Anyone?)

Just like Messi’s role in Barcelona has changed, so has the academy that produced him. Will there be another Messi? Very likely, but Barcelona’s La Masia academy seems an unlikely source.

The football school no longer swears by the ideology which produced generations of beautiful football, initiated by the legendary Johan Cruyff. Young aspirants at the Catalan club are now being introduced to a more physical brand of the game, rather than the delicate, beautiful play that served them well in the past.

And it isn't about just losing the famed Barca philosophy. Gone are the days when the club churned out protege after protege, in a world where clubs were fuelled by purchased talent. Messi and his La Masia comrades may not get opportunities to mentor and pass on their style to many youngsters, what with the influx of established stars from abroad.

As a result of their poor academy output, the club is struggling to find its feet. Fans of Messi would like to remember him as a one-club man, but it would be hardly surprising if he leaves for different shores, in search of challenges anew.

There's another new innings that this sporting wonder is preparing to kick-start. Though he has already started his family with childhood sweetheart and long-partner Antonella Rocuzzo, the pair will get married a week after his 30th birthday.

One thing is for sure. There's a lot more to come for the man who dribbled his way into the hearts of football lovers. Whenever pundits wrote obits, he came back stronger and made them eat their words.

Endurance is a rare trait in modern-day football. If 14 years was not enough to prove that Lionel Messi was the exception, he has several more years to keep his critics silent.

Back in school, I was not known to celebrate my birthdays, save for the customary distribution of candies. So it seemed bizarre that I would go to such lengths to commemorate the birth of a new-found obsession.

Was I ridiculed for what I did?

Probably.

Was it worth it?

I let him answer that for me.

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Topics : #Lionel Messi

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