Lionel Messi collected his second international trophy in under a year and the Argentina captain will be looking to add an elusive FIFA World Cup title to the mantelpiece in the winter.
Wednesday evening saw Copa América holders Argentina dismantle European champions Italy in a special fixture between the two champion nations. Messi set up Lautaro Martínez to open the scoring before the half-hour mark at Wembley.
Angel Di María’s elegant dink doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly before the half interval and Paolo Dybala added insult to injury deep into stoppage time after 90 minutes, for La Albiceleste to be crowned winners of La Finalissima in just the third edition of this intercontinental match-up.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has now won almost every major honour on offer, with 40 winner’s medals to his name, and there is only one significant trophy which eludes the 34-year-old: the FIFA World Cup. This time last year Messi was without a title at international level however since then he has twice led his home nation to trophy success. Now he looks to complete the set with the World Cup in the winter.
Over the years questions had been raised as to whether Messi could carry Argentina to international prestige, especially after they lost a third major final in as many years. La Albiceleste came runners-up at Copa América in 2007, 2015 and 2016, and they also lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
The never-ending GOAT debate between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially be settled later this year. Both competitors have won two international trophies and they will be vying for a third in Qatar, in what is sure to be the last World Cup tournament for each of these uniquely talented individuals.
With time running out on their respective illustrious careers, Messi and Ronaldo cannot both celebrate World Cup glory before hanging up their boots in the coming years. These two footballing icons will have a combined age of 72 by the time the World Cup finals come around, yet the elite leadership and winning pedigree in each of them remain instrumental to any prospective successes their countries may enjoy.
It is now or never for Messi to triumph at the grandest stage of them all and although Argentina won’t necessarily be underdogs at the World Cup, at the same time they are not one of the four favourites to retrieve the famous golden trophy hoisted by the champions of the world.
La Albiceleste are 32 games unbeaten under manager Lionel Scaloni, and Bet365 have Argentina at 10.00 to capture the World Cup this year. Reigning world champions France (6.50) are out to retain their crown at the tournament in Qatar, whilst the trio of Brazil (5.50), England (6.50) and Spain (9.00) are all in contention to prise the Cup away from Les Bleus.
Germany are 12.00 with Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands each priced 13.00 to win the World Cup. Messi is listed 15.00 to end as the top goalscorer at the event, with Ronaldo 13.00.
The 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup gets underway on November 21 and Argentina have been grouped together with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C. The final is scheduled for December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.
