With the face of total relaxation.
With the
smile of infinite satisfaction
.
With the soul governed by the tranquility of the fulfilled dream.
With the three stars on the shield and on their booties.
With the heart overflowing from the chest of so much affection.
With the Cup held high as his last and final offering to a country that reveres him and recognizes him as his greatest idol.
From Doha to Buenos Aires.
From Lusail to the Monumental.
From the most longed for night of his life to the one with the greatest enjoyment and enjoyment.
Lionel Andrés Messi was the great protagonist of the party of the world champions against Panama.
But, before raising the golden trophy to give it to all the 83,000 fans present and to all the Argentines, the best in the world gave away a great goal from a free kick for the final 2-0 with which he reached his 800th cry in his professional career. and with which he broke another record: he became the Argentine soccer player with the most free-kick goals, with 62 conversions, surpassing
Diego Armando Maradona
(61).
Because, beyond the fact that
the friendly against an alternative team from Panama was the excuse for the perfect celebration
, Leo took the game very seriously, like the rest of his teammates.
And that great goal that he nailed at the end of the game could well be a metaphor for his career to glory.
Because the light blue and white captain had to try again several times until he succeeded.
He had kicked five free throws.
Two hit the posts (one of those rebounds came from Thiago Almada's goal), two were saved by the Panamanian goalkeeper José Guerra and one went wide.
The sixth was the loser for Messi.
Messi, the cup, Antonela and her children at the Monumental stadium.
Photo: Juano Tesone
“Thank you for all the love we have been receiving. We were going to do everything we could for this. I always dreamed of this moment, of being able to celebrate with you, of being able to come to my country, to Argentina, to lift a Copa América, the Finalissima and the World Cup", said the 10, holding the microphone with his right hand and
caressing the Cup with his left foot.
There, in the central circle of a field ecstatic with happiness, the man from Rosario captured everyone's attention, but not by doing magic with his feet but by speaking with his heart.
“We are celebrating the champions but I don't want to forget all the teammates who passed by and who were also very close.
They deserve everyone's respect and recognition too
," Messi said, referring to the previous group that was runner-up in Brazil in 2014 and was on the verge of winning the Copa América in 2015 and 2016.
“Let's enjoy this because we had a long time to win it again. We know it is very difficult. Hopefully it won't take many years to do it again. Let's enjoy the third star”
, closed La Pulga, who immediately heard the umpteenth ovation of an unforgettable Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni himself took the microphone and harangued the crowd to sing:
"Let's all turn around with Leo Messi's hand".
All the drinks all in the night of the Monumental.
Photo: Juano Tesone
Then it was time to raise it once more.
Accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro,
Messi emulated his almost squatting walk on the Lusail catwalk
and raised the shining trophy to the sky, the one he sought time and time again without giving up until that finally got him.
This is what Leo came to, to continue smiling and absorbing the affection he most wanted, that of his people, that of his land.
On the other side of the Atlantic were the whistles that he had to hear unfairly in the Parc des Princes from the disillusioned fans of Paris Saint-Germain.
He came to take shelter in the clothes of the National Team, where now he only hears applause and bows.
It was a mobilizing Thursday, without a doubt.
But unlike when he returned to the country after winning the Copa América at the Maracana, Lionel did not need to cry.
As in Qatar, Messi did not shed a tear, although in the anthem sung by Ariel Ardit and a choir of 83,000 people he was seen moved
.
The catharsis had already been done in that first title with the Major.
The World Cup went through it from another place, that of enjoyment.
He was noticed in his countenance, in his statements, in his game.
And he was noticed on River's night, in which
he chose to laugh more than cry.
Messi, in litter, after goal 800. Photo: Juano Tesone
Surrounded by his family, the albiceleste captain made the Olympic lap walking and waving to each side, paying attention to each sector of the crowded stands as if wanting to record each moment in his memory.
He also jumped, sang and joked with all the champions in that celebration after the celebration on the grass.
Of course, he did not dare to dance like Dibu.
Only that was missing from this Messi who already feels complete.
look too
The magical night of the champions and the 800th goal of a Messi who is already a legend: chronicle of another unforgettable party
Panama delayed the smiles of the world champions until Almada and Messi, with goal 800, made the Monumental explode
Scaloni dreams of playing in all the provinces to thank for life