Image source: courtesy of sky sports
Let me start by saying that I’m literarily still exhausted just from watching the magnificent, glorious, spectacular, and scintillating game played yesterday, December 18, 2022, in the World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Two footballing nations that have their own histories are now demonstrating to the rest of the globe that they are prepared to rule the sport for however long it takes.
France, as a footballing country, has produced many stars, ranging from Fabien Barthez, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira, Eric Cantona, Just Fontaine, Michel Platini, Didier Deschamps (the current France coach), Thierry Henry, and the legendary Zinedine Zidane, to name a few.
On the other hand, Argentina has produced legends such as Ubaldo Fillol, Gabriel Omar Batistuta, Ariel Arnaldo Ortega, Juan Roman Riquelme, Omar Sivori, Daniel Passarella, Mario Alberto Kempes, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and the one and only Diego Maradona.
Of course, there are names missing from both teams that you want to see. So don’t worry, we’ll get to that.
I can boldly say that I have witnessed five world cup finals prior to the Argentina vs. France final played just 22 hours ago, and I’m tempted to say that this final is special.
My goodness! Where should I start?
First, we have Lionel Messi (a.k.a. the G.O.A.T. ), who wants to immortalize his name as the greatest player ever to kick a ball on planet earth, against the rising superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has what it takes to make time stand still.
The story behind this World Cup final is just crazy. If Messi wins, the G.O.A.T. debate is over. And if France wins, Mbappe will make history by leading the French team to two consecutive World Cup victories, elevating France to the best football nation of the decade.
So it begins: Lionel Messi vs. Kylian Mbappe. What a show it was. Messi scored two goals in the final, while Mbappe scored three, making him the first player in history with the most world cup final goals (four).
And, of course, Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy while dressed in an Arab robe and lifting it to the sky, demonstrating to the world why he is the greatest ever.
And in the words of the legendary Peter Drury:
“It’s the most beautiful decoration. Messi’s meant-to-be moments. His fulfillments, his completion. It is done.
And he is robed in gold.
After one of the truly great finals of all time, he waits.
The trophy is passed into the hands of a genius.
And in 2022, the world champion is Argentina.”
I am just speechless.
Could this be the best World Cup final ever? Let me know in the comment section below. I want to know what you think.