Even if Messi had retired in 2016, he would still remain Messi in our eyes.
Even without his resurgence in 2022, Messi would always be the legend we know.
Yet, it feels like a blessing from above that, at 37, we witness Messi playing with the vigor of youth.
And in 2024, seeing him provide two assists and score a hat-trick in a single game feels like an extraordinary gift.
Messi is no longer playing football just to compete.
Now, he steps onto the field to savor the game.
You might ask, how can someone enjoy football without the need to constantly win?
Of course, there’s enjoyment in that.
Imagine watching a group of teenagers playing football, and someone joins in, running around with joy. It’s not serious competition—it’s pure fun.
That’s exactly what Messi is doing with the likes of Alvarez, Almada, and Nico Paz.
He’s doing the same for his national team, with no pressure, no desire to prove anything.
But as long as he’s on the pitch, he still has the hunger to win.
He’ll play when he feels like it, and when he doesn’t, he won’t bother battling over the ball, even if it’s right in front of him.
Messi now resembles a freelancer in Argentine football—a maestro without constraints.
Few footballers in the world get to enjoy this phase of their career like Messi does.
He’s freelancing for his country, sharing his brilliance selflessly.
He’ll give away a perfect scoring chance to Martínez without hesitation, or set up Alvarez to finish with clever precision.
This is a different kind of football—a luxurious one.
Messi no longer needs to take anything from the game; he’s only here to give.
Today, with a 6-goal victory, Messi wiped away the disgrace of Bolivia’s 5-goal thrashing in the past.
He owes no one, but leaves us all indebted.
A debt we’d be happy to carry for many more years to come…
