Yay! Argentina lifted the trophy. And Mbappe (who, just at 24, becomes the only player to have scored a world cup hat-trick after Geoff Hurst in 1966) along with the entire French team, won hearts. What an excellent day to celebrate sports, especially one like football which both divides and unites the world.
Social Media is flooded with “Messi is the GOAT” posts, many even demeaning Ronaldo for not having won even a single world cup, and this debate, I understand, has been ancient! And my question is, really? Do trophies decide who the GOAT is?
While I have been a fan of both Ronaldo and Messi and their teams alike, I don’t think anyone lifting the trophy before retirement (and the other not being able to do so) is a mark of their dedication and expertise in the sport.
Sadly we live in an era where extremism is the way of life, and end results decide winners, thus overlooking journeys. Neither Ronaldo nor Messi had it easy in their career; they struggled and still lived their dream of playing a sport they loved, lifted various trophies, had severe failures and finally now retired. They deserve to be remembered as dignified sportsmen who gave their all to what they wished to pursue.
I have always believed that all sports should be kept immune from the darkness of extremism and should be played and watched with the spirit of healthy competition, not envy and hate. We support teams, celebrate winners, and feel sad for those who lose, but what we don’t do is disparage the one who lost or didn’t make it to a name or fame or a trophy. I feel this is the lowest we hit when we judge a sportsperson based on victories and losses.
This might be my most vaguely written article, but it encompasses almost every thought I had after today’s World Cup finals. I so wish to dedicate it to Argentina, to Messi, to Ronaldo, to Mbappe, and also to the Japanese fans who displayed morality and to the spirit of sports that teaches us dedication, hardwork, team spirit and above all, the art of living life on the front foot by putting our heart and soul to goals no matter the end results.
Sports (like volleyball and skating, which I grew up loving) taught me that your game (the skill, sweat, input, determination, consistency, integrity and discipline) matters more than victory. It trains us that when you are not playing, you are practising, and it is that practice that decides how you play, just like life in which good times are just a reflection of how much you practised and upgraded yourself in your low times. Everyone who reached the ground, played and didn’t give up is GOAT. Success or Failures, trophies or not, don’t change that the one who defended but lost was as much a fighter!!
Sports must be celebrated for sportsmanship, and every player must be respected for being on the field. It is easy to sit in rooms with popcorn in your hands but being on the field in a team representing your nation, family, fans, and everyone who roots for you is a matter of strength and hard work.