It was a tournament billed as ‘the Last Dance’ for two of football’s greatest ever players.
But while Lionel Messi danced a jig, trophy aloft inside Lusail Stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo was consigned to watching from his sofa. At 35 and 37 respectively, it feels inevitable that the World Cup in Qatar will be the great rivals’ last.
Messi said as much prior to yet another display of majesty against France: “There’s a lot of years until the next one and I don’t think I have it in me and finishing like this is best.”
And there was to be no damp squib as his final act, scoring twice during the thrilling 3-3 draw, before converting his penalty to give Argentina the perfect start in the shootout. The tournament’s defining image will be of Messi finally realising his international ambition, and in doing so completing football’s ‘Grand Slam’.
He will never admit to it, but there must have been more than a tinge of envy from Ronaldo, who a week previous, left the World Cup stage in tears. His powers clearly on the wane, the free agent was dropped to the bench for Portugal as they began their own knockout campaign.
Fernando Santos called upon the veteran for another rescue act against the Moroccans, but after registering just 10 touches Portugal’s bid - and Ronaldo’s dreams were quashed.
It was supposed to be so different for the former Manchester United striker, desperate to wash away controversies over his club career by doing what he has done best for almost 20 years.
His bombshell interview with Piers Morgan made headlines for his countless pot shots at the Old Trafford hierarchy, but the idea of winning the World Cup - and beating Messi in the process was broached.
Towards the end of his sit-down chat with the controversial TV personality, Ronaldo was asked by Morgan: “So what about this idea? You get to the final, Portugal v Argentina; you score two, Messi scores two. Last minute you score a third for your hat-trick…is that the dream?”
Just imagining that scenario playing out was enough to bring a wide grin across his face: “Too good,” he replied. Ironically, that scenario almost panned out with another of the game’s global superstars, only for Kylian Mbappe’s stunning treble to be in vain.
Many now feel the debate over the greatest player was ended as soon as Gonzalo Montiel’s penalty hit the back of the net. Ronaldo isn’t so sure having previously suggested a World Cup win for either wouldn’t be the defining point in the age-old discussion.
“Even if I win the World Cup that will continue,” he explained. “Some people like me more, some less. It’s like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes.
“I have always had to show what I can do year after year. I would love to win this tournament. I’m ambitious but if you tell me I won’t win any more tournaments I would still be happy given all I have won. In the history books all other records will be there. But obviously a World Cup on the shelf wouldn’t be bad. It would be a dream.”
As he watched the drama unfold in Qatar, the empty space on his shelf would have seemed a mile wide. This time it was Messi’s dream coming true.
