How many have you changed in seven years? Will it be a full circle for Lionel Messi at the estadio defiant doing Maracana? Did the past ghosts haunt him when he sat on a party table, licking his lips hoping it was not a mirage in front of him but an oasis? Questions and many questions.
Messi 2014, met 2021 Messi.
Read Alsocopa America Final: Messi and Neymar Clash in their pursuit for Titlelike England and Italy who are difficult to fight for Euro titles in London, Brazil Neymar and Argentina Messi will also look for a silverware piece – cousin of the Euro Cross – in Rio de Janeiro, in front of 70,000 seats empty.
Messi in a variety of blue nuances, passes through the initial stage with a beautiful touch, and then walks into the middle of the circle in Rio with a pregnant eye, with hope in his heart and a dream of a nation.
At the end of it all, he had looked at the opportunity with only German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat.
And then there was a view, with the hardest time, buried his free kick to the Tribune Maracana.
The clock became far deep in his heart with a fairy tale that needed to be rewritten, Argentina disarmed his magical veneer, ‘Cinderella’ we lost sheen but did not escape to the place.
Confused, hands on the hip, with a brush of the mane, performed a traditional ritual but hoped he was a million miles away.
Silver sandals are not enough for a 27-year-old child, it is a Golden World Cup that has been coveted.
This is Copa America now, the top of the Latin world.
The football tournament can lose its value in a less special continent at the swollen pandemic, but try it and say it to Messi or Neymar.
Football is life, and football can die but what is so entertaining is football can also be defeated.
When Messi was 34 years old stepping out of the Maracana bar again in the final, he had a score to finish.
Or maybe not.
Most of the greatness is to be able to eliminate the past but keep the lesson tucked in the corners of the mind, ready to be called.
Messi has grown up, Messi spoke, motivated Messi, Messi knew.
We have seen Messi angry also this season, shaking Barcelona’s electric fortress.
Anger was all for his kindness, we thought.
Slowly, his personal image and mind appeared and there was no fear of opening into the world.
Two years ago, Argentina lost to Brazil in the Copa America semis at the Estadio Mineirao, and the speech he had given to young people leaving ‘everyone crying’.
In contrast to the man who, in 2016, hurriedly announced his retirement after losing his sentence against Chile.
Teammese in disappointment, Angel Di Maria suggested he liked ‘New Messi’, lions nourish and protect children.
In the past, he had been slandered because he did not sing the Argentine national anthem, became a person who was silent, alone and lonely, could not be understood.
A statistical box will tell you how, in the Albiceleste shirt, he failed to lift his team at the Grand Finales, his Achilles heel.
It was his bloody ankle this time, when he stepped to change his sentence in the semi-final shot against Colombia.
Hero of the Emiliano Martinez correctly seized the center of attention when Messi reached out and hugged him, jumped to his rescue arm.
But the captain has become a conductor in all tournaments, breaking the record, scoring a goal from a free kick, helping children whose soul has stirred before.
“Sooner or later, luck will be on our side,” Angel said, begging for mercy.
The balance may tilt slightly towards Brazil in Maracana.
But Argentina has Messi, Messi’s new, Messi is free.
Christ, Redeemer will watch.