You might have been forgiven for thinking that you were still dreaming, even if you woke up at 2am to watch the World Cup Final. It was one for the ages, the greatest Final in decades and a fitting finish to the tournament.
Oh, and there was this little bloke in the blue and white jersey. This will be known as Lionel Messi’s World Cup in the way that 1986 belonged to his idol, Diego Maradona, and naturally, the world’s media focussed on the cementing of one of world sport’s greatest legacies.
“Now he’s the Messi-ah!” sid Craig Foster on the SBS coverage. “He had a huge task to achieve here, to carry this whole country in a way that had been done previously by the great Diego.
“It seemed impossible, and after the first game (which Argentina lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia), it was almost an impossibility.
“He picked them up and he led them and then he started making the difference every game and then he scored against Mexico and then he would assist and then he scored a penalty.
“Every single time they needed him, he was there, and Argentines rightly came to trust in him, and in the end, in this game, which is the most epic World Cup final in my experience.”
Speaking on the BBC, ex-Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta spoke about what Messi meant to the nation.
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
“I’ve been part of that youth team, when Messi came for the first time to play for the national team,” he said. “He came to represent his country, the passion and the respect.
“He has always shown that for his country and we need to respect that. Everyone is just crying and giving him a big hug because he is one of those players who really really deserve it so well done.
“For our country, we will see a picture of Maradona and Messi, two of the greatest players of all time with the World Cup trophy. That is something so incredible. We are so lucky.”
Many invoked the fairytale story of Messi finally picking up the Jules Rimet Trophy in what will likely be his final international match.
“He should be centre of attention,” said former Manchester United star Gary Neville of Messi. “It feels right that Messi has won the World Cup.
“Destiny was there, he’s contributed enormous amounts throughout this tournament and his career. He’s lit up every single game he’s played in, if you’re watching Messi live you are truly blessed.
“Argentina, their passion, fight, spirit, nastiness till the end was absolutely amazing. That’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”
(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
The game itself was a classic, with pundits lining up to proclaim it as the greatest World Cup Final ever.
“We’ll never see anything like this again,” said Rio Ferdinand on the BBC. “I can’t imagine that happening. Where you see two great teams going toe to toe, no-one takes a back step.The two superstars on either team again slugging it out, goal for goal. Magnificent.
“I can tell my grandkids I was here for this final. Not only for Messi to lift the World Cup, but also seeing the next generation in Mbappe. What a way to finish your international career.’”
Alan Shearer, also on the BBC, added: “We’re breathless up here. It was just an unbelievable final. It was great to be here, pleasure to be here.
“I have never seen anything like it. It was a pleasure to be here. Thank you to Messi and Mbappe. I felt it was written in the stars for the biggest star, and it was. They kept going. The mentality and courage they showed to take the penalties. Well done and thank you for entertaining it.”
Questions were asked about the grandstanding of the hosts, however. Messi was forced to wear a traditional Qatari robe over the classic blue-and-white jersey for the trophy lift, with many confused and angered by the obvious attempt to hijack the crucial moment.
“Amazing scenes, great pictures from above and great pictures from inside the ground as Argentina win the World Cup for the third time,” said Gary Lineker, hosting the UK coverage. “It seems a shame, in a way, that they’ve covered up Messi in his Argentina shirt.”
The game was heralded as a classic.
Piers Morgan had a totally normal one after Messi conclusively settled the GOAT debate, with Morgan’s mate Cristiano Ronaldo now several steps back.
After initially tweeting that the French team – who had seen several players fall ill prior to kick off – had been ‘deliberately poisoned’, he added that “The more hysterically over-confident Messi fans grow about his supposedly inevitable triumph today… the more convinced I am he’ll lose.”
And while Australian viewers made do with the soothing tones of Martin Tyler, fans overseas were able to revel in the majestic tones of commentator Peter Drury.
The Spanish commentary had some life to it as well.
And then there’s this classic call from Argentine TV of the team’s second goal.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
I bet you wonder why you can't get the ladies with such sparkling commentary like that...
chris
Guest
Carlos that has been pointed out before but "The Roar" doesn't seem to pay attention. The Jules Rimet trophy is owned by Brazil, since they won it 3 times. I doubt they will do it this time around as the Jules Rimet was stolen and never to be found again.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
The trophy is NOT called Jules Rimet. That trophy was given to Brazil. The cup is called FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
"Many invoked the fairytale story of Messi finally picking up the Jules Rimet Trophy " Tsk. Tsk. No he didn't. That was given to Brazil last time in 1970 for their 3rd World Cup win. A new trophy was sculpted and first presented in 1974 as the FIFA World Cup trophy, which is what Messi picked up.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
All right. We get it. Now get over it.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
I like them when the right team wins
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The robe looked like female lingerie to me. It would be stupid looking enough on a bloke , let alone on a football player off the pitch. A lot gayer than any rainbow jersies.
Mike
Guest
Piers Morgan continually sets himself up as an expert in everything. What a goose. He and Ronaldo are a good fit. In short had Messi and Ronaldo swapped teams at the start then I wouldn't be surprised if Portugal had won the WC. Portugal under-achieved in this World Cup and Ronaldo contributed very little while he was on the pitch. In fact, all he brought to the Portugal campaign was his social media presence, drama and whinging. Messi for me, every day of the week.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It was a terrific game from start to finish, the big boys came out to play, the world's best players were on display, there were massive momentum shifts throughout the game. But....I really, really hate penalty shoot outs. They are absolute rubbish. Can't stand them. Let the Americans and event goers enjoy them. And to determine the champion team with a penalty shoot out, fair dinkum, give me a break. What a way to ruin a magnificent footballing display.
me too
Roar Rookie
grateful we had tyler and not the cliched hyperbole of drury. well done argentina!