Agony to Ecstacy: Journey from losing a World Cup Final to winning one.

"Lionel Messi has conquered his final peak. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise, and the little boy from Rosario Santa Fe has just pinched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own, he has his crowning moments" said the Shakespeare of football Peter Drury when Lionel Messi finally lifted the coveted World Cup wearing the black bisht robe that is only worn on special occasions. The robe is usually worn by royalty and religious leaders and was bestowed upon him by the Emir of Qatar as a tribute to the greatest ever.  

Messi's performance in the 2022 World Cup was arguably the best individual performance in a World Cup ever. Breaking records along the way like he so often does with the ankles of the defenders.

His records at the World Cup being:

Messi is one of only six men to have played in five World Cups alongside Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi made his 26th World Cup appearance in the Qatar 2022 final, breaking Lothar Matthaus's record.

Messi has made a record 19 appearances as captain in the World Cup. 

Messi has played the most minutes in World Cup history: 2,314. 

Messi is the only player to register an assist in five World Cups. 

Pele and Messi share the record for the most assists in the knockout phase (6).

Messi is the only player to score in the World Cup in his teens, 20s and 30s. 

Messi is Argentina’s leading goalscorer in the World Cup with 13 goals.

The Player of the Match, first awarded in 2002, has been given to Messi an unparalleled 11 times including his 5 in the 2022 Edition.

Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball twice which is awarded to the best player of the tournament since its introduction in 1982. 

Lionel Messi has been criticized heavily even by his countrymen for not winning anything with the national team despite having achieved it all with FC Barcelona. Failing to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil against the astute Germans was followed by successive final defeats to Chile in Copa America 2015 and Copa America Centenario 2016 in which he fired his penalty into the stands. 

He retired from international football, but he knew he wasn't done yet so he returned like Zidane in the past.

Albeit the 2018 World Cup was a disappointment for La Albiceleste where they lost to eventual champions France in a thrilling match-up which ended 4-3.

He bounced back racking up the 2019 Ballon D'or which was his 6th. After a heartbreaking exit from Barca, Messi joined the Parisian club - PSG reuniting with his old friend Neymar. He had a disappointing first season with PSG but returned strong in the first half of his second season with the club, setting the rhythm for what was to come in Qatar 2022.

He went on to win the 2021 Copa America against bitter rivals Brazil putting an end to the criticism of him not winning anything in the sacred blue and white stripes which also led him to win the 2021 Edition of the Ballon d'Or which was his 7th. 

That wasn't the end. Messi went on to conquer the World in Qatar and finally lifted the one and only trophy he wanted with all his heart which slipped away at 112 minutes but this time it was not going anywhere, it was his. Messi ended his Nation's 36-year-long wait. From the agony of Rio to the ecstasy of Lusail, he has seen it all and he has conquered it all. The arch came to a close. "Argentina champions of the World again....at last and a nation will tango all night long. 36 years since Maradona and Mexico here, finally, is a nation's new throng of immortals. Scaloni will be feted, Messi will be sainted."