MESSI MAGIC

 

Image Credit: Inter Miami CF.

Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of our generation. For the last 22 years he has delivered innumerable performances which have taken the entire footballing world by storm. The reason behind such awe is the fact that it's not just goals and assists, but the manner in which they have been done. The runs, the dribbles, and the free kicks all have turned into pieces of art whenever the ball has come to Messi. Things which no other footballer can even imagine or think about, Messi makes happen. His free-kick goal yesterday is just a small addition to his everlasting glory and prestige.

The Columbus Crew were facing Inter Miami in their backyard. Luckily they took an early lead as Josef Martinez converted the penalty in the 28th minute. However, 5 minutes later Inter Miami were awarded a free-kick. Everyone knew it would be Messi who would be taking the same. The real question was, will he be able to score? After all, the angle was tough, and the opposition defenders were all across the goalpost.

But this is when Messi scored one of the greatest free-kick goals ever seen. He hit the ball with accurate precision and power, with the ball making a lovely turn in the air and going past the keeper from the far post. The team went gaga, and the crowd went wild as the score was equalised.

Yes, we see goals being scored in a football match. But this was not just a goal but a classic work of art. Mind you, Messi has announced his retirement from international football and will be playing his last game for the national side next week. However, the performance he has been delivering every now and then makes us feel like we can see some Messi Magic more, please? It's just staggering.

Unfortunately, Inter Miami lost the match in the injury time, but this game will always be remembered for the Golazo of Lionel Messi.

To watch the free kick of Lionel Messi, Click Here.

ONE-SIDED AFFAIR

 

Image Credit: The Economic Times.

It was 2006 when I saw the FIFA World Cup Final for the very first time, and since then I have been following this tournament passionately. The final has always been a contest between the strongest sides competing against each other for the ultimate glory. However, the 2026 edition turned out to be an exception. The reason being that in this very final there was only one team playing to win. The other seemed like they were trying to hold the game for 120 minutes and take it to the dreadful penalty shootout.

The defending champions, Argentina, were nowhere closer to the Spaniards. Yes, they took the game to extra time, but it was almost certain that they were nowhere thinking of scoring a goal and were happy in keeping the scoreline 0-0. It is pertinent to note that in 120 minutes there were just 3 shots on behalf of Argentines, and out of which not even a single shot was on target. On the other hand, Spanish had a ball possession of 68%, in which they took 20 shots, out of which 11 were on target. To be honest, had it not been for Martinez's best day, the Spaniards would have easily scored 4 to 5 goals. Emi did make multiple great saves to keep his side in the game. Unfortunately, in the 106th minute, Ferran Torres was able to get past and score the only goal of the game.

14 minutes later, the referee blew the final whistle. Spain were the new champions of the world after 16 long years. Whereas the Argentines lost their crown. Yes, one would feel for Messi, who was the best player of his side and carried his team on his shoulders at an age of 39. But, on that particular day, Spanish played better than them and hence deserved to win.

To watch the Highlights of the Final, Click Here. 

THE FINAL DANCE

 

Image Credit: CNN.

In a surprising move, the Argentinian Football Association has named Lionel Messi in their 26-man squad for a friendly game against Benin in October. The Albiceleste are scheduled to play three games in the upcoming international break, their first outing since the World Cup final defeat. Interestingly, Messi, who announced his retirement from international football a couple of weeks ago, will also be featuring for one last time in the Argentinian shirt.

Moreover, the Federation has decided to extend the invitation to every player from the 2022 World Cup squad to attend the friendly against Benin. After all, the greatest Argentinian deserves the best farewell. To be honest, one can expect the friendly would be very much a carinival celebrating the legacy and legend of King Leo.

The match would mark Messi's 208th appearance for Albiceleste. Though Messi has won it all for his club and country, one would still desire that he would roll back the glory days and would breach the 125-goal mark in his final outing. 

A TRIBUTE TO KING LEO

Author - Aman Singh

Image Credit: BBC

In a lifetime, we fall in love only a very few times—whether it’s with a person, a profession, or a sport.

I’ll admit that from the very first day I watched you play, you made me fall in love with football—not just with watching it, but with playing it too.

And that love only kept growing as I watched you, day after day, not only for the way you played the game but also for the soft, selfless, and humble personality you carried off the field.

You didn’t just make me love football; you made me see the beauty of the game in a completely different way.

For that, I’ll always be grateful. ❤️⚽