He could've easily walked away after the last World Cup, leaving behind the perfect ending. The final chapter written exactly the way everyone dreamed it would be.
But that's never been Messi.
Why chase the perfect picture when you still have something left in your heart to give? Why choose your own fairytale ending when your team still needs you?
The highlight of his career has always been playing for the team, not chasing his own perfect story. And that's probably how his international career ends.
Thank you, Messi, for another all-time World Cup campaign. No matter what happened in the final, history will never forget the sight of a 39-year-old Messi from MLS standing on the biggest stage in football and proving, once again, that greatness has no age.
Pau Cubarsi’s game by numbers in the World Cup final:
139 touches
37 carries
9 passes into the final third
6 clearances
6 ground duels contested
5 ground duels won
5 ball recoveries
3 fouls won
2 tackles
0 goals conceded
Biggest game of your life? Cool as you like. 🧊