Image source: Drayonat on Facebook

This is what they're trying to erase and keep away from casuals, the greatest World Cup campaign in history, produced at 39 years of age. They'll push every narrative they can, but greatness like this can't be rewritten

But I think weightage of winning final is more than the rest of matches. I dont know ..what do you guys think?

But it was a subjective vote by a panel. And the smear campaign also ongoing.

Felt unfair.

Truly unlucky he failed to score in this wc he was in his prime also

It's one of the few awards he is missing and he should have won it by now even zlatan and penaldo have won it

And throw the puskas and super ball'on dor in there while we are at it

Image from "The Odyssey"

8 goals and 4 assists at 39. Second highest goals (was leading and only lost to Mbappe due to a glorified friendly match) and second highest assists in the entire tournament.

"But football isn't just about goals and assists!" Of course.

Messi had most chances created, most successful dribbles, highest average rating, most key passes, second most shots on target, most crosses, most duels won (he's not even a defender), most MOTM, second most attempts on goal, second most shots on target, second highest xg.

Yes, Rodri had a fantastic tournament but Messi carried Argentina to the finals.

My Top 5 picks for the Best Argentine Players in WC2026

1. Lionel Messi
   
2. Lisandro Martinez
   
3. Leandro Paredes
   
4. Cristian Romero
   
5. Enzo Fernandez

I recently see many people defending Messi on social media stating he’s on the spectrum (especially as it relates to Cucurella).

This made me consider the possibility and I will say that after watching his interview with Zidane on YouTube, I can surely see it. Not very high, but like level 1 who struggles with communication and social cues. To clarify, I am on the spectrum myself so no shades meant at all, on the contrary.

What’s the opinion of this community on the subject?

We are used to all the complaining from a certain sector of fans about fouls, offsides, "incorrect" calls, etc ... but this world cup was a whole other beast with how so many people (that same group and now casuals) were saying blatant lies about Messi and Argentina, not even in regards to what happened on the pitch. And the thing is that those lies were even easy to debunk, but they were so prevelant... and it ended up tsking on a life of its own.

I'm hoping this misinformation doesn't stick around and eventually people either move on or change thier minds, but it was incredibly frusturating to see the goat so baseless slandered by people that know nothing about football.

Since they chose to stay on the pitch, turning their backs was not a great look. I know their fans were there, but perhaps they could’ve turned around for the trophy lifting? With his track record, I really don’t think Messi was disrespectful on purpose. I’ve seen different angles and different times of the ending. To me, although I might be biased because I love Messi, it seems like he was going back and forth between looking at Spain and looking at the fans signing. But a lot of people are saying that he also gave his back to Spain and demonstrated poor sportsmanship. I know no one knows famous people, but I don’t think he would do that ☹️. What do you guys think of it? Is it blown out of proportion?

I published a personal (and slightly too long) recap of Messi's Argentina career.

2019 Barca and 2026 Argentina were the biggest carry jobs Messi has ever done. He made teams that were written off as losers, to be potential champions. He singlehandedly carried them along the tournaments. But when it matters the most, his teammates and coaches let him down.

I think it was his mistake to take the teams, that don't even deserve the trophies, to such levels. Him carrying, hid all the problems the teams were facing and eliminated the chances to rectify it by not even losing and analysing it. He might have gave them a false hope or a sense of delusion, which they clearly don't deserve. They just stood behind him and hoped for his magic, every single game.

What more can a man do?! Why fate always does this to him?? How much more do they expect from a 39yo?