Gracias, viejo!

Rip all those freshly drawn compendiums on tactics and strategies and take a look at this spectacular World Cup decision in Qatar between Argentina and France, both seeking their first tri in history.

All those anagrams and statistics disappear as if by magic in the face of the classic duel between two stars taking center stage, each representing their era: Messi, the genius on his way to becoming a myth of his time, and Mbappé tracing his bright future, already present.

The Frenchman reminded me of a legendary chronicle by Master (he repudiated that nickname, it must be said) Armando Nogueira when writing about a Brazil and Argentina match where he said that the Brazilian President called on the Army, Navy, Air Force, plus the Civil Police to mark Pelé. As done, goal by Pelé.

Mbappé spent the whole time surrounded by the determined Argentine armed forces ready to die on the field, watching his team fall 2-0 behind until, in four minutes of the second half, he tied the thrilling game – one from a penalty, the other from a clever combination with Thuran, the son of that unforgettable right-back of the World Cup-winning France team.

Furthermore, in the last moment of extra time, there’s Mbappé taking the decision to a penalty shootout by scoring another, tallying three goals in the match.

This is because Messi, just before, had led his team to premature celebration, scoring the 3-2 with his right foot like a true center-forward, going against his own nature. The same Messi who had opened the scoring from the penalty spot 21 minutes into the game.

Following that, Di Maria, who played even more than Messi and Mbappé in the first half and whose exit at halftime handed the game to the French, scored the second goal.

The duel between Messi and Mbappé continued into the penalty shootout, with both converting their spot-kicks. However, Martinez saved one while Tchouamani missed the cup, which fell joyfully at Messi’s feet like an offering from grateful gods for all that this little genius had given them over the years, whether in the colors of Barça and PSG or in the blue and white of Argentina.

And Messi left the field (or fields) with the cup in hand, while Mbappé took the Golden Boot and the top scorer title of the Messi Cup.

Gracias, viejo, as his illustrious ancestor Di Stefano would say.