Messi chose to be Messi to apologize in France: when given the chance to break up, he decided to rebuild

There has been much discussion about the metamorphosis of Lionel Messi during the World Cup in Qatar 2022, in times of violent emotions for the phenomenal performance of Scaleneta in and around Doha. There was talk of a combative Messi, a Messi Maradona, who has overwhelmed with his game, but also with his personality. There was a lot of talk about it, especially after that psychological battle and football thriller which was the duel for the quarterfinals against Holland, in which many fell in love with Topo Gigio who he dedicated to Louis Van Gaal and, even more appalled by his impetuous “go there, stupid” which immortalized the hitherto unknown Wout Weghorst, the Dutch striker who had his 15 minutes of fame thanks to his side’s brace that saved his team and his bravado in the penalty shootout – it didn’t go badly for him: it’s over to be signed by Manchester United-.

However, Messi was never Maradona. Nor will it. He will always be Messi. Be careful, that’s not a crime maradone like Diego, who has often been the patron saint of the defenseless and champion of lost causes. But Leo is Leo. And he will never stop. Two great talents, perhaps the two greatest in football history, but two completely different personalities. One pure blast, the other pure fix.

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Messi had already made it clear in one of the few interviews he’s given since becoming world champion when he admitted he didn’t like seeing himself done that Topo Gigio riquelmean who traveled the planet. “I don’t like all of this, I don’t like what I did, after that ‘go there’ thing… These are moments of great tension, a lot of nervousness and they go by very quickly. It doesn’t make you think of anything, you react as you react but you didn’t think of anything. I don’t like leaving that image, but these things happen too”The Messi who admired Maradona, but who is anything but like him, was honest. Zero claim of these behaviors, basically, unbecoming for a sportsman.

The same happened this Friday, in his most difficult week since arriving in France. In the midst of a bombardment of rumors, with a sanction leaked by PSG to the media, but never made official by the club until the DT, Christopher Galtierassuming it existed and with the ultras enraged, Messi cut his losses and displayed a redemptive attitude with which he tried to deactivate the Witch hunt broke out in Paris after his trip to Saudi Arabia.

Messi, the best footballer of the moment, had no problem showing himself as he is. On a home recording, dressed in jacket and shirt, no production fuss -he didn’t even resort to the aid of a microphone to improve the sound-, the man who lifted the world cup at the Lusail stadium had no problem facing the camera and taking responsibility for this wrong that led to a sanction as exaggerated as it was unheard of. He cocked his face, explained his version of his conspicuous absence at a training session that became a matter of state, and placated the beasts.

Messi could have doubled the bet knowing he would not stay at PSG after 30 June. he might have verticalin the best diego style, and responding to the provocation that came from the club offices and then raised the morale of the fans. He had a lot of arguments. But the thoughtful Messi appealed to diplomacy and made a conciliatory gesture which, according to French media, was well received by the club with the Qatari capitals. The player, beyond his sporting frustrations, wants to leave France well, despite the fact that it is a place where -almost- he has always experienced a hostile climate.