Leo Messi: Undoubtedly Great

It has been a wild summer in the world of soccer (cue "Jungle" by X Ambassadors). We soccer fans witnessed a fake tournament take over the imaginations of the United States, a team that had no right to even make the quarter finals of the Euros, let alone the finals raise the coveted Euro 2016 trophy in Paris, and we followed along in awe as Manchester United smashed the world record transfer fee to bring back their prodigal son... Paul Pogba. However, the moment that stands alone in my mind as the most shocking moment in the world of soccer this summer is that devastating moment when Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer.

Under so much scrutiny and pressure during the Copa America Centenario (again, just to reiterate, this tournament was a farce), not to mention every game he plays in for his country, Messi was forced to cave in and retire from international competition as his Argentina side bowed out of the Copa America after losing in penalty kicks to Chile once again.

The final itself was a miserable spectacle; thrilling for the fans at times but marred by red cards and wasted opportunities. The players looked tired and mentally weak at this point, almost happy for the final to be done and dusted. Even Messi, who having missed the first (and possibly his last ever) penalty for Argentina could do nothing at the final whistle but retreat to the bench in tears, mesmerized by losing his third straight final in a major tournament.

Whether or not Messi meant business by quitting in the aftermath of such a disappointing result is open to interpretation. This we will only really understand with time. However, after retiring from the international stage at a mere age of 30, with certainly plenty left in the tank, what can be discussed is the little magicians legacy within his home country. Will he ever live up to the likes of Maradona in the eyes of the greedy Argentinian fans?

The first thing that came to mind when hearing the news of Messi's retirement was the instance a few years ago now when Wayne Bridge elected to retire from his England squad position after rumors leaked that England captain John Terry had an affair with Bridge's wife (this may be the only time that Wayne Bridge has and ever will be mentioned in the same sentence as Messi...). From my perspective, the loyalty show by Bridge's captain, John Terry, and that of the Argentinian fans is one in the same. For all the heroics Messi produced and the genius he artfully displayed time and time again in the blue and white jersey, his own country and the media within that country were more than happy to throw him under the bus for any failures the team and nation suffered. For this, I feel for Leo, who in the rest of the world's eyes, can do no wrong.

As for the ludicrous comparisons to Maradona... Maybe I am biased because I've lived in the age of Messi, not the age of Diego. In my eyes though, there is absolutely no comparison to be made. Yes, Maradona was great. In fact, he is probably the greatest soccer personality of all time, likable or not (though thank god his Argentina squad lost the 2010 World Cup; nobody wanted to see him run through the streets of Buenos Aires naked). And yes, he brought the country glory on the international stage, with arguably one of the most blatant displays of cheating in World Cup history, above the likes of the Suarez volleyball spike and the Klinsmann leap. But Messi, Messi is class. He lets his feet and eyes speak, not his mouth... or his nostrils (*cough *cough Diego). His small stature and soft-spoken demeanor only adds to his legend. Unlike Maradona, he has consistently performed at the club level as well, scoring mesmarizing goals and leading Barcelona to title after title, all without a wisp of arrogance; an anomoly in the world of professional sport, which has always gravitated towards the big and boastful, to the Ali's and Ruth's, the Jordan's and... Maradona's. But Messi will never be Argentina's golden boy it seems. Maybe because he left the country at the age of eleven, or maybe because he simply doesn't excite fans off the field as he does on the pitch.

So what is next for Messi (apart from his hideously blond dyed hair...)? What does his international future hold? Could his final act in an Argentina kit really be missing a penalty in a shootout of a final in a made up tournament? One can only hope it is not, that this was simply a warning to the Argentina FA and fans, and that they will come around and treat Messi as the soccer messiah that he deserves to be hailed as. As David Beckham would I am sure reiterate, one missed penalty should certainly not end or define an international career (although I think we can make an exception for Graziono Pelle).

It is truly a sorrowing thought, the idea of Russia 2018 with Messi watching from the stands. Though I cannot blame him for his decision, I hope that he discovers the fire inside to prove the critics wrong in his home country. Whether you believe Messi to be the greatest ever, or simply view him as one of the best, he is undoubtedly great. For now, his time in the blue and white has ended, and as they say on HBO's hit series Game of Thrones, "We shall never see his likes again."

PHOTO CC: Wael.Mogherbi

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