Throughout the world, millions of words have already been written about Lionel Messi. Of course, those eulogies concern Messi with the ball, running around on the lush green pitch. But I doubt how many words have been dedicated towards Messi when he is off the field. Having followed the Argentine magician in five World Cup matches I decided to write something about Messi, without the ball at his feet.
Off the field, Messi is an idiosyncratic person. His hands are relatively small while his steps are quick and childlike. A lot of people may argue with me but it is quite true. Messi’s steps resemble a child walking carelessly.
Truth is off the field Messi appears like an innocent child who knows nothing about football and hardly cares about what is happening around him. He walks with his head down. Humility at its best.
The 27-year old Barcelona superstar hardly laughs. However, he was seen in a jovial mood while celebrating his country’s progression to the semifinal of the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Following the quarterfinal win over Belgium, the lad from Rosario was cheering up the loyal Albiceleste fans who kept the Argentine juggernaut rolling. Messi only reserved three minutes of his time for the press in the mixed zone but the smile was always there.
Before the game got underway, Messi was quite serious while he was shaking hands with his counterpart Vincent Kompany but demonstrated a gentleman approach, nodding his head and stiff eyes. He rushed to hand over the Belgian flag to a staff after the toss. It seemed that he could not wait to kick the ball.
He has very good anticipation and runs toward the line of the ball even when its in the feet of his opponent. He initiated a run long before Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was thinking whether to pass the ball short or long. Messi almost intercepted the ball which was thrown by the tall custodian.
Whenever Argentina concede a freekick usually he is the man who stands alone upfront, forming the wall before the others join him. Whether the freekick or corner taken by his opponent goes close or saved by Sergio Romero or someone else at the last moment, Messi never reacts.
After squandering a chance himself, he never displays any emotions of regret. In the second minute of the five-minute stoppage time, he failed to beat Courtois in a one-on-one situation. He just closed his eyes and faced upwards. That was all.
Wearing the captain’s armband Messi never shows any authoritative gestures. Gonzalo Higuain slotted a through pass towards his skipper from midfield but the ball carried too much power and Messi, running in full throttle, failed to collect it. He did not even look at Higuain, let alone barking at him for straying the pass.
Whatever he does attracts the people’s attention because he is Lionel Messi, a model of patience, composure and sheer class.
