Finally Adding 'World Cup Victory' to Career... Brilliantly Decorating the 'Last Dance'
Lionel Messi (35, Argentina) became the first player to win the Ballon d'Or, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League, the F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, and an Olympic gold medal. On the 19th (Korean time), he played a starring role by scoring two goals in the final match of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against France at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, leading his country to victory. Argentina was tied 2-2 during the 90 minutes of regular time and 3-3 after extra time, then won 4-2 in the penalty shootout. This added another trophy 36 years after the tournaments held in their home country in 1978 and the Mexico tournament in 1986.
Messi, who had faced disappointment in every tournament knockout stage, finally added a 'World Cup victory' to his career. Having played for the national team since 2005, he was blocked by Germany in both the 2006 Germany tournament and the 2010 South Africa tournament, failing to reach the semifinals. As captain in the 2014 Brazil tournament, he won the Golden Ball as the best player but could not claim the trophy. He was once again stopped by Germany in the final, finishing as runner-up. In the 2018 Russia tournament, he was eliminated after losing to France in the round of 16.
Messi shone brightly in the rematch held in the final after four years. In the 21st minute of the first half, ?ngel Di Mar?a earned a penalty kick, and Messi opened the scoring with a sharp left-footed shot. In the 3rd minute of the second half of extra time, he scored his seventh goal of the tournament, breaking the subdued atmosphere among his teammates. Taking advantage of the opposing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who had just blocked Lautaro Mart?nez's powerful shot but had not yet regained his stance, Messi struck a right-footed shot. Although a French defender chased him until the end, the ball crossed the goal line. Messi also took the first penalty kick and confidently scored. He spectacularly capped off his 'last dance' by winning his first-ever World Cup trophy and his second Golden Ball overall (7 goals, 3 assists).
With this victory, Messi became the ninth player in history to have won the Ballon d'Or, UEFA Champions League, and World Cup. Messi won the UEFA Champions League with Spanish professional football club FC Barcelona in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015. The Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious football award in the world, was awarded to him seven times: from 2009 to 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Before Messi, players who swept the World Cup, Ballon d'Or, and UEFA Champions League include Bobby Charlton (England, 1968), Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd M?ller (both Germany, 1974), Paolo Rossi (Italy, 1985), Zinedine Zidane (France, 2002), Rivaldo (Brazil, 2003), Ronaldinho (Brazil, 2006), and Kak? (Brazil, 2007). Messi is the only player to have also won an Olympic gold medal. He defied FC Barcelona's opposition to his participation and led Argentina to the top at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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