Less than 100 days left for the grandest sporting competition of them all ‘“ The FIFA World Cup to kick-start in Brazil. In what could be a scintillating sight for neutrals and favourites alike, hosts Brazil will start the proceedings of the tourney against Croatia in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup that takes place on June 12 in Sao Paulo.
Less than 100 days left for the grandest sporting competition of them all – The FIFA World Cup to kick-start in Brazil. In what could be a scintillating sight for neutrals and favourites alike, hosts Brazil will start the proceedings of the tourney against Croatia in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup that takes place on June 12 in Sao Paulo. The World Cup will see 32 teams battling it out for one coveted prize – the World Champion. Football pundits and journalists have pinned their hopes on top teams like Germany, Brazil, and Spain etc. to land the numero uno prize. And what happened to Argentina? Or Portugal! Both the countries boast the world’s best players till date – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Portugal’s Ronaldo recently landed the most honourable prize in world football as the FIFA’s Ballon D’Or. He beat the likes of Messi and France’s Franck Ribery to win the high prized trophy. Currently, the world football is of the debate of who is superior – Ronaldo or Messi? To each of their opinion, but on current status, the former takes the top honours with the goal scoring form he is in for both country and club (Real Madrid). So why has Lionel Messi pegged behind? Injuries, poor form might have cost the Argentine powerhouse the Ballon D’Or but that does not take away the sheen of the left-footed magician from Argentina.
Recently, former World Cup winner and Argentine great Diego Maradona was quoted saying, “Messi doesn’t need to win the World Cup to be the best player in the world.” Maradona, who inspired Argentina to the title in Mexico in 1986, further adds, “(If he did) it would be great for Argentina, the fans and Lio, but (winning) a World Cup or not won’t take away any of his achievements up to now to be among the greatest.”
Diego Maradona is a legend and a true servant of the beautiful game. To be successful and popular, one needs to win and push harder for more success. That’s what Maradona did in his hay days as a footballer. He won trophies with club and country. But times have changed and with the influx of money, clubs and footballers’ lifestyles have changed drastically. With an abundance of talent, youngsters today look upto the likes of Messi and Ronaldo for legendary status.
For sure, Lionel Messi is a champion player. A magician who weaves magic whenever he takes the field. Messi has won many awards – 3 – Ballon D’Or awards, 3 – UEFA Champions League medal, 2 – FIFA Club World Cup medal and many many more. So what’s missing from the cabinet? An international honour, isn’t it? May be Messi realises it too that even if he has won top honours with his club, Barcelona, time has come for him to shine on the grandest stage – FIFA World Cup and prove his credentials. He may turn to the likes of Zinedine Zidane (France) or Ronaldo (Brazil) who topped their club billings with national awards too.
2014 presents a great opportunity for Leo to fulfil his dream. Argentina may not be tipped by many to win the World Cup this year and that may give Messi and his teammates an extra ‘boost’ to grab hold of that trophy.
