FIFA World Cup 2022 was a celebration of romance. Lionel Messi won, and Qatar became the host thanks to the magic of football cathedrals.
The denouement of the World Cup was held in Qatar’s capital, the north. It was held at a golden basket in the stadium. This tournament, which was the first in the Arab World, had a very busy schedule. Matches were played at compact venues and at state-of-the-art venues. They were captivating and unsurpassed in intensity and quality. This was the end of Lionel Messi’s career. His consecration and coronation were complete. He stepped out from Diego Maradona’s shadow to achieve his ultimate goal-driven conquest.
He was immortalized and undoubtedly claimed his place in the pantheon. After France’s spectacular comeback, he overtook Kylian Mbappe (the hat-trick hero and Pele’s heir-in-waiting). In a bit wrapped around his shoulders by the Emir of Qatar, Messi lifted the World Cup in the company of his delirious teammates.
These images were priceless for FIFA and Qatar hosts. They were able to enjoy the high-octane, thrilling final on global television, and it was worth all the constant criticism directed at the world federation as well as the host nation. It was the final battle between two world superstars and two superpowers. Messi shouted “Argentina, concha de tu Madre” before the trophy presentation. (Argentina, motherfucker!). Who is concerned about the LGBT community and migrant workers now?
The tournament and final were the ultimate PR win for Qatar. It was an operatic finale staged on the nation’s independence day. They featured superb football, endless sporting threads, narratives, fireworks, and a host of other elements. After 12 years of building to this moment, Qatar had become a geopolitical force and gained national security through the magic and chaos of football. Even after the defeat to Saudi Arabia, it seemed that Messi was bound to win. Perhaps Argentina, always in danger of emotional collapse, should not have lost after Mbappe’s extraordinary equalizer. This was the tournament that kept giving, the final that kept giving.
Read Lionel Messi gets into footballing folklore, as Argentina lifts the title
Ecuador defeated Qatar on 20 November in the curtain raiser. Local fans didn’t appreciate the loss and stormed out of the stadium before their hired supporters. It was a prelude for the action-packed group stage. A conveyor belt of drama only the World Cup provides – the Green Falcons flying high, the Japanese switching gears, the pitiful German exit, and the dramatic drama of Ghana revenging 2010 by eliminating Uruguay.
It meant that all confederations were represented in round 16 This implies that the playing field was leveled. Europe, the economic power, and South America, which is the spiritual home, dominated the final stages of the tournament. But Morocco was the story in Qatar. This almost, but not quite, overtook the all-consuming storyline about Messi’s fateful date with destiny. The Atlas Lions, led by Walid Regragui (the first African country to do so), stormed to the final four in their own compelling style.
They defended, then defended more, but displayed great discipline and flair when attacking. Morocco defeated the Iberian powerhouses. Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakami were eliminated. Yassine Bounou with his boyish features, brilliant saves, and dazzling defenses was a new star, a hero to an entire continent and the Arab world. The success of Morocco highlighted questions about cultural identity. The World Cup, especially after the eight previous rounds, had almost reverted back to its original form by the time Morocco and Bounou were eliminated. This was not a playground for schoolchildren.
It didn’t matter. The World Cup was again the territory of those who had been there before, even before the Lusail showpiece match. But magic prevailed on the ground. This was the key legacy at the micro level: The World Cup needed a winner outside of Europe and more competition. Angel Di Maria couldn’t resist the drama any longer and broke down in tears.
It was hard to miss the South American victory on a micro level. A winner from outside Europe was needed for football. This tournament should have forced FIFA to take human rights into consideration. Zurich continues to operate as a cartel, allowing the exploitation of luxury hotels and avoiding accountability.
We addressed the outside world, but it has hardly been noticed. Lusail was full of jeers at FIFA supremo Infantino. The Emir of Qatar reminded Infantino at the end of the trophy presentation that it wasn’t about him. Infantino struggles to understand when it isn’t about him. The jeers and boos suggested that football won’t tolerate the current FIFA boss and that the direction that the game is heading is not right. Football fans and the entire football community want their game back.
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