Remember the Best

This World Cup has been the most sobering in a long time for me. It was a World Cup full of too many farewells: Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Modrić, Neuer, among others. The final was the ultimate passing of the torch as Lionel Messi and defending champs Argentina were squashed by Spain and their teenage wonder Lamine Yamal. We’re entering a new era. This new era isn’t only defined by new young players; it’s a movement of bigger and more lucrative tournaments. FIFA is constantly pushing the boundaries of entertainment by adding more substitutes, increasing pace, and adapting rules to attract a larger audience. The search for more goals and the next big thing isn’t going to go away. I hope that in this turn of the page we remember just how good the characters in the last chapter were. Additionally, I hope we recognize the skewed statistics that may arise out of the search for entertainment factor.

The treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo during and after Portugal’s World Cup run has lacked class. Cristiano couldn’t make up for the directionless midfield behind him, nor was he the sharpest version of himself. The media has attacked Ronaldo, calling him “gramps” and “washed.” He’s neither of those things. He’s one of the greatest to ever play the game and is the most clinical attacker to ever walk the planet. His abilities were on full display in this World Cup. He scored three quality goals and had an amazing one ruled out by a very marginal offside call. Age affects everyone but it never took away his touch of class. The precedent he and Messi set is unmatchable; neither should be defined by their twilight alone. When I remember Ronaldo at the World Cup, my mind will go to his hattrick against Spain, not a slow game against the DR Congo.

I’ve found the treatment of Messi to be equally distasteful. He’s been dubbed “FIFA’s princess” by many as his team clawed to another World Cup final. For me, it’s smoke and mirrors. Messi dominated this World Cup up until the last game. Don’t get me wrong, Egypt’s disallowed goal was a total breach of the scope of VAR and an injustice, but Argentina still had a lot of work to do. The bad call against Egypt did not put three goals in the net for Argentina nor did the officials carry them through the Switzerland and England games. They were lucky, they were dirty, but they didn’t cheat to get there. Gianni Infantino might be in love with Lionel Messi — we can’t rule that out — but to define Messi as a freeloader to Infantino’s script is an ignorant perspective. Messi has aged like fine wine for his country. His World Cup goal tally is one of the most remarkable stats ever, with 15 of his 21 World Cup goals coming after turning 35. There’s no manufacturer of his dominance other than himself. Fueled by rivalry or longevity, I don’t understand the need to get sick of El Bicho or La Pulga; the next generation can’t give us anything more legendary.

One last thing that we must recognize in the new World Cup format is that it’s never been easier to bloat stats. Competition disparity, number of matches, and stoppage time have never been higher. Records will be smashed; we already saw it at this World Cup. I worry that the hype of goals and excitement will muddle history. It might make us forget that Pelé started and won a World Cup final at age 17. It might make us forget that Just Fontaine’s 13 World Cup goals were all scored in the same tournament. It might make us forget that Messi and Ronaldo played in six World Cup tournaments, with Ronaldo scoring in all of them.

As we move on from the World Cup, I invite you to remember the best. Don’t let rage-bait and internet trolls sour your view of some of the greatest football we have ever watched. In the never-ending cycle of “they don’t make them like they used to,” let’s appreciate what we have before it’s gone. You have your whole life to reminisce, but only so much time to appreciate.