Yesterday saw perhaps the greatest single game in the history of any sport, by one of the greatest athletes of all time. The debate between Pele, Maradona and Messi can never be settled, since they played in three different eras. But the Messi-Ronaldo debate is done and dusted. Ronaldo's peevishness certainly diminished his luster, too.
To have World Cup final - with the compelling narrative of the greatest player of his era versus the defending champs and the greatest player of the next era - would have been enough. Argentina's second goal was such a piece of brilliance, the parade seemed on in Buenos Aires. But Argentina struggles to finish games and France had a brilliant 90 seconds to tie it.
When Messi put them back ahead in extra time...and then France tied it again...and then Martinez made one of the greatest saves in World Cup history...and then penalties...Holy crap.
It certainly helped my blood pressure that I wanted Messi to finally etch his name in the pantheons of greats to lift the World Cup, but I wasn't Argentinian.
No comments:
Post a Comment