Four days after an epic World Cup final where Argentina finally attained their long-awaited third star and Leo Messi became immortalized, I sat down and tried to make sense of the magic that I had just witnessed. Okay, it's just football, but heck, didn’t they also say, “Football IS LIFE”?
My word, the parallels are uncanny!
Success comes with 3 Ps – Perseverance, Practice, Patience
Just ask Messi. Sure, he has God-given talent, but so too many esteemed footballers before him, and not all of them had ever won a World Cup. He failed at his first four attempts, didn’t give up and kept going. For all the images of him holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft, there were untold decades of blood, tears, practice, sacrifices and sheer dedication to hone his craft. Just like Messi, our spiritual path only flourishes with practise, perseverance, and patience. Pain comes before the ultimate prize.
Be like Messi.
2. Every underdog has its day
This World Cup proved that every dog has its day. First Saudi Arabia registered the first upset of the tournament and broke millions of Argentinian hearts. Then as if to prove that it is not a miracle but a natural phenomenon of the universal law of least-resistance – Japan, South Korea, Senegal, mighty Morocco punched way above their weight and knocked out more illustrious opponents on-route to the finals.
When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to win. When one let go of the weight of expectations and just flow with ease, the path just opens up naturally.
3. The best timing is always now
Messi began his World Cup expedition as an irrepressible 18-year-old prodigy, and only won his first World Cup at the grand old age of 34, a good sixteen years later. In contrast, Kylian Mbappe, the other teenage prodigy, won his first World Cup at the tender age of 20. Some might lament the lost years for Messi, but there is clearly a divine plan for everyone and everything – the best timing is always now.
That’s how we ended up with this fairytale of a World Cup final – an elder statesman passing the baton to his worthy young successor. I’m tearing even at the thought of how wonderful it all turned out to be!
4. Perception vs reality
If we go by perception and what we think is true, then Argentina or Brazil will win all editions of World Cup and Saudi Arabia would possibly be thrashed 10-0 every match. I know, for I was one of the few millions who believed in the latter based on what I knew twenty years ago. The reality is, Saudi Arabia had invested heavily in their football development and made steady progress over the years. Does our ego mind care?
Things aren’t always what we believe they are. The lesser we allow our perceptions to cloud our mind, the more we can see and appreciate what Life really is.
5. Every blip a preparation for greatness
“Don’t cry for me Argentina!”, the song goes, somewhat forebodingly. In their first match of the tournament, Argentina had led 1-0 at half-time but somehow managed to lose 1-2 to a plucky Saudi Arabia team by the time the final whistle had blown.
Turned out this blip that Argentina encountered was to be the catalyst for them to explode into greatness later. They shouldered on, bucked up and everyone knows what happened next.
So, the next time you encounter a challenge or hit a snag, remember Argentina. And thank each Saudi Arabia that comes your way.
6. Expectation vs outcome
Brazil was expected to steamroll over Croatia after putting up a football fiesta in their previous match against South Korea. Punters were having a field day predicting a goal-fest. In the end, Croatia snatched an unexpected draw at the last minutes and forced the match into penalties, sending the samba dancers crashing out of the tournament. Ouch.
The reality is, the ball is indeed round and if we try to pigeonhole Life into what we expect it to be, it will most likely surprise us with lots of unexpected outcomes! Just ask any football punter!
7. Failure is a great teacher
For every trophy that Messi had lifted in his illustrious career, there were many other failures that prelude it. Actually, this applies to every Ronaldo, Mbappe, Modric, or Neymar for that matter. The failures they encountered in life or in their football careers were merely tools that sharpened their determination to go upwards and onwards. 2022’s World Cup defeat may well be the best motivation for 2026’s France. Let that be your mantra.
P.S. Just don’t tell that to England.
8. This outcome is always the best outcome
If Portugal had beaten Morocco, we might not have France in the finals. If Croatia hadn’t beat Brazil, we probably wouldn’t have Argentina in the finals. So, you see, this outcome is always the best outcome, no matter what we think at that moment.
I repeat. This World Cup final will live on as the best. Ever. What a beautiful outcome.
9. One love
For all the backlash and negativity that World Cup Qatar received, in the end there was only one common thread that binds us all – LOVE. Love for the game, love for all humanity. For the way we are different yet the same, for the tears and joy we shared collectively as a global nation, for the pride we felt with every minnow upset, for the gratitude we have to be able to witness the perfect unfolding of football’s biggest prize.
10. Every reaction an unhealed trauma
In the aftermath of the victory, Emiliano Martinez instigated a minute’s silence to ‘commiserate’ Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup loss, then followed up his mocking at the victory parade. Well, if we understand that Mbappe had just scored 3 penalties against him in a single match, all dispatched to the same spot, and he failed to save any of them, we must surely understand how his reaction came to be.
Unhealed trauma leads to unconscious decision and reaction. When we recognize this in ourselves, we can make changes to the way we respond to situations. When we recognize this in others, we can also show compassion for them. Prayers for Emiliano then. (And more class please.)
11. Your life is your legacy
Messi is well known to be an introvert who prefers to let his football do the talking. Forget about explosive interviews or mud-slinging matches with opponents, he does what he does and simply goes about it steadfastly and without fuss.
As the great Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh said, “My actions are my only true belongings.”
Take a bow, Messi. For your legacy is complete, and the inspiration and light you shine upon others (the millions of Argentinians and generations after you) will continue to shine long after you are gone.
12. Keep shining your light
For one Lionel Messi in the world, there are countless more unsung footballers, future footballers, toiling their entire lives, grafting away and never giving up on their dreams. Not all their stories will be told but their determination and grit will continue to inspire many others after them.
Not all of us can win the World Cup or be a GOAT but keep plugging on and let your light shine – you never know whose lives it might change.
13. Rest is underrated
After one month of late-night football binging, I can finally offload my eyebags and resume my mortal sleep routine. There is only so much adrenaline can do for us – ample rest is the only thing that keeps our body alive. Don’t underestimate it!
14. The joy of living
“I have changed nothing, my style of play is still that of a child. I know that above all it is my job and that I should approach it in another way, but one must not lose sight of the fact that football is a game. It is imperative one plays to amuse oneself, to be happy. That is what children do and I do the same thing.” – Lionel Messi
Sure, the prize is treasured but above all, it is about finding the joy in all that we do. Always.
And with this, I draw the curtain on the very memorable FIFA World Cup 2022 and my own 2022.
I wish you a very merry Christmas and a joyful new year ahead. 😊
Onwards!
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