From Maradona to Messi, the dream photo given away 36 years later

he could not hold Messi. They gave him the award for the best player in the world, I mean the World Cup, and the guy walked past the cup that we all want to hold in our hands at some point and kissed it. It was the missing photo. You just had to be patient. The other missing photo arrived a few minutes later. Wearing a typical tunic, Leone received the trophy from Infantino and the Emir. And he walked slowly towards his companions. There was no rush. The moment he’s been waiting for has just arrived. The photo that was really missing was already going viral in every corner of the planet. Messi with the high Cup.

And go sing Gardel, not to mention what Messi said when they gave him the microphone. Now what will those who played for the cancheros say and said that Messi was not up to par. They wanted to be different. The defeated ones. Here they have Messi. Supreme. Almighty. Maradoneo. More Messi than ever. World Champion. Owner of football history.

The question now is why did he have to wait so long. because she had to eat a lot of shit until you reach complete happiness. Maybe it’s a matter of fate. At 35 years and six months old, when most of him are on the verge of retirement, Messi has got the ball under his sole. And he won a World Cup in slow motion. Not because I don’t run. Not because you don’t commit. Quite the opposite. Valdano said so. The walker who thinks while others run. And Messi walks them all. He rests them all. He drives them crazy.

It wasn’t the best ending. And that he scored two goals. Look, you must be unlucky to tell him he wasn’t having the best day of him. Yes, on a lazy day he takes you a double and he names you world champion. See if this man who has always fought against the tide is going to be rude. Against nature when he was a boy and needed help growing up. And against the tide of successful ones who demanded something that took time to arrive, but it has arrived.

He arrived and enjoyed himself like no other. hug her with Celia, the mom. hug her with Antonella. hug her with Thiago, Mateo and Cirò, who called to come down and celebrate with him. Then, with the glass in hand, as if it were in the surroundings of Grandoli, the Rosario Fiorito which gave birth to the new god.

Messi took the missing photo. And he did it with the help of La Scaloneta, that team that has found the formula for happiness in union and communion. What after the slap in this same Lusail, has been rebuilt and remodeled as the best team in the tournament. Because he demolished Croatia and erased France from the field until Mbappé brought out all his youthful vigor and complicated everything.

But the Scaloneta has given yet another taste of character. It happened on penalties, with that hero being Dibu Martínez on penalties. One of the bodyguards Messi found in this final stretch. With Otamendi, with De Paul and with the young guard who suggests that all this can continue, even without him. Even if it seems impossible. Even if Mbappé will return with blood in his eyes.

Messi took the missing photo. Because the photo of Leo on a litter, which runs here in Lusail, on a litter was also missing. Like Maradona in 1986. Also like Passarella in 1978, the great captain should never be forgotten. But thing 10 seems doomed. And it brings happiness to all football fans.

Justice has been slow in coming, but it always comes. And now let them say what they want.

Lusail, Qatar. Special delivery.