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Top 100 momentsNo. 24

Soccer

Messi finishes the story

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Lionel Messi wins the World Cup in Qatar, in extra time and then on penalties. The greatest club career of the age finally gets the trophy it was missing.

Lionel Messi’s club career is already a museum: Barcelona, goals, Ballons d’Or. The World Cup is the missing room. In Qatar he is 35. Argentina lose the opener, survive, and reach a final against France that feels like two greatest-of-all-time arguments colliding.

Messi scores. Mbappé scores three. Extra time. Penalties. Argentina win. Messi lifts the trophy in a robe that looks like it was waiting for him. For a generation that grew up arguing Messi vs. Ronaldo, the debate gets a final exhibit.

Greatness in soccer is club and country, and country had been the hole. 2022 closes it. Everything after is encore.