Those of us who lean Messi-wards would already argue it should be done anyway but a World Cup winners’ medal for the little master would finish this once and for all.
Should he lead Argentina to their promised land even the most loyal of Ronaldo-worshippers will surely have to see the light.
Messi was still a twinkle in the eyes of his parents Jorge and Celia in the Rosario suburbs when Argentina last won the World Cup in 1986.
The following year little Leo, their fourth child, arrived to complete the family.
In a small backyard behind the modest two-bedroomed home that Jorge, a builder, had constructed, Messi first learned to kick a ball with his brothers.
He liked the feeling so much he slept with the football at his feet every night.
Two hundred metres away, on a rough patch of grassland, those in-house games turned into neighbourhood football.
‘La Pulga’ – or ‘The Flea’, as Messi was known because of his stature – dribbled past much bigger kids with the ball seemingly attached to his left foot. His swerve and acceleration left them hacking at thin air.
In this ordinary, working-class community an extraordinary talent revealed itself. A natural genius yet also a product of the soil he grew on.
この記事は Sunday Express の December 18, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Sunday Express の December 18, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Birthday boy Jesurun gift-wraps points for the unbeaten Blades
JESURUN RAK-SAKYI struck twice on his 22nd birthday as unbeaten SHEFFIELD UNITED defeated LUTON 2-0 at home to move level on points with Championship leaders SUNDERLAND.
PALACE REIGN FOR KINGS OF THE ROAD
THE Slot machine paid out yet another jackpot as Liverpool dug deep for a priceless and gritty victory.
Punch & Judy next in line to be 'cancelled' fears veteran
HE'S been entertaining children and adults alike for six decades with his traditional Punch and Judy shows.
How Rick's traumatic childhood drove him to succeed
\"IT'S A desperately poignant way to sum up one's childhood. \"I remember being frightened all the time as a kid,\" recalls Rick. He traces the trauma to a grave tragedy in the family before he was even born.
Harry extends 'solo' trip without Meghan
PRINCE Harry has extended his solo trip abroad without wife Meghan, the Sunday Express has learned.
How Queen bagged her cheeky escapes
IN a lifetime of meeting the public, the late Queen famously used her handbag to secretly signal to her courtiers when she was ready to leave an event.
Trump's return to brush with death spot
A SECRET Service ring of steel surrounded Donald Trump last night as he prepared to hold a rally in the same spot where he was almost killed by an assassin three months ago.
Migrants perish as Cooper slams gangs
A TODDLER trampled to death in a small boat was among four migrants who died off the French coast yesterday.
‘Inspirational’ Kemi wins backing of US governor DeSantis
KEMI Badenoch's leadership bid has been endorsed by one of the US Republicans' most influential figures.
Leadership hopeful fired up by Reagan
JAMES Cleverly wants to bring the spirit of Ronald Reagan to the Tory Party as he enters a critical week in his bid to become leader, he tells the Sunday Express today.