At 38 years old, Lionel Messi stood ready at the penalty spot, anticipating yet another memorable moment in a career rich with highlights. Fresh off his first World Cup hat-trick, which tied him for the all-time tournament goalscoring record, Messi had a chance to make history by scoring his 17th goal and claiming the record outright.
With composure, he approached the ball, only to miss the target entirely.
While Messi is no stranger to missed penalties throughout his illustrious 22-year career, this particular miss felt more poignant, especially considering the personal challenges he is currently facing.
Last week, Messi’s camp revealed that his father, Jorge, is experiencing health issues, providing little additional information. This news sparked significant speculation in Argentina, leading one television reporter to resign after mistakenly reporting Jorge’s death. Jorge Messi has been a crucial figure in his son’s life, serving not only as his father but also as his first coach, confidant, and agent throughout his career.
About 30 minutes into the match, Messi again approached the scoring record, thrilling the crowd with a dazzling run in the box. However, his shot was cleared off the line. Shortly after, he lost possession. For a considerable period, he roamed the field, intermittently involved in the action, not an unusual scenario as he nears the twilight of his career. Austria was unexpectedly aggressive, prompting questions about whether it was simply not Messi’s day.
Yet, it often is Messi’s day. In the 38th minute, he found space just outside the box, skillfully utilizing a dummy from Thiago Almada and delivering a precise finish. He sprinted to the corner flag, celebrating with a passion that contrasted with the joy of his previous hat-trick celebrations.
His second goal came just before the end, during the dying moments of second-half stoppage time. Messi has increasingly taken on a playmaking role late in his career, and he provided a perfect pass to Julián Alvarez in the penalty area. Although Alvarez’s initial attempt failed, Messi chased down the rebound, maneuvered around the goalkeeper, and after his first shot was blocked, he managed to score with a second attempt from close range.
There is much discussion about the perceived preferential treatment Messi receives from referees and the space he enjoys from defenders. However, less attention is given to the strong support he receives from his teammates, who protect him as if he were a national treasure. Messi’s extraordinary talent and presence have earned him widespread respect and protection on the field.
Additionally, he has forged close friendships with a select group of players. On the field, he stands unmatched within the Argentine team, but off the field, he shares a deep bond with a few teammates. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has pledged to “going through a health situation” for his captain, while Nicolás Otamendi commemorated their 2022 World Cup victory with a tattoo of Messi’s face. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, at 32, chose to transfer to Inter Miami to play alongside Messi as he approaches the end of his career. Both young and veteran players express admiration for their captain, with many wishing to win this summer’s tournament to send him off as a champion.
Messi’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has also shown significant support, often becoming emotional during Argentina’s group-stage matches. He is known for his passionate demeanor, exemplified by a recent press conference where he reacted strongly to a journalist’s question regarding the situation surrounding Messi’s father, particularly the false report about his death.
“The press conference really had to start this way?” Scaloni responded, visibly upset. “We’re good and we’re ready for the game tomorrow.”
On Monday afternoon, the solidarity among Argentinians for Messi was unmistakable. The beloved forward enjoyed adoration from fans, who chanted his name hours before the match and cheered loudly whenever his image appeared on the jumbotron. His likeness adorned countless flags brought by supporters, many of which featured names of distant Argentinian provinces.
Fans of La Albiceleste have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most passionate and vocal supporters in the world, creating a vibrant atmosphere wherever they go. On this day, during both Messi’s successes and setbacks, the enthusiasm was palpable, but it felt different. While they celebrated their idol, they were also there to uplift him in his time of need.
