What You Must Learn From Messi (& Football)
Here are some great lessons to grab while on the way to the stadium
I screamed.
You screamed.
We all screamed for the man who sprinkled his magic on the fields of Qatar on the night of the eighteenth, as he tore across the defence line to make his swan song memorable for centuries.
Leo Messi's feat killed the debate about the GOAT.
Argentina won 2022’s FIFA world cup (for those living under the rock).
Every minute of the final was worth watching. The intensity, twists, and suspense even made the moderate fans turn berserk!
I love playing and watching football (though I suck at it).
It feels amazing — to cut through the wind, dodge the players, carry the ball, and shoot it with precision.
In this edition of my newsletter, I bring what you can learn from Messi’s Argentina and football in general.
Nothing is final. This is not the end.
In 20161, Argentina was beaten on penalties by Chile in the final of the Copa America in a result that left Messi devastated.
The icon missed a spot-kick in the shootout. After the match, he seemed to retire from international football.
“In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me. That’s the way I feel right now, it’s a huge sadness once again.” — Messi
This was the end of his international career. It tore his heart, it tore the heart of his fans, and it shook the world.
How could have that day arrived so soon?
Only a couple of months later, Messi announced that he would be returning to play for Argentina. He loved playing for his country ‘too much’.
In the 2018 FIFA world cup, people had huge hopes for Messi.
Yet, Argentina exited the addition with a disappointing performance. They were knocked out in the Round of 16, defeated by France.
It was a devastating blow.
He could have bowed out forever then.
Messi’s return and win in 2022 were poetic and romantic.
After the humiliating defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia, the Argentinian players were never the same again. They improved as much as to win the trophy itself, defeating the former champions, France!
In an amazing final, the teams’ enthusiasm and energy made it worth supporting them.
What does this teach us?
The failure, the pains, the recession your life is going through at any point in time — they are not as permanent as they seem. Life always grants opportunities. All you have to do is be quick enough to grab them, work hard, and not lose hope.
Life is all about quality relationships.
Football teaches you teamwork.
The Messi of this year was not selfish. He not only scored goals, but provided beautiful assists as well, baffling the defenders and elating his fellow attackers.
In similar terms, life is not meant to be lived selfishly.
You’re meant to have an open heart and revel in your peers’ successes as well.
Relationships are an important investment in your life. So, as Richard Muller says, you've got to be there when your friend needs you.
You've got to sense when your friend is almost desperate, and do whatever it takes to help.
Sometimes it is lending a little bit of money; other times it is giving emotional support; sometimes it is doing something, something bothersome to you but valuable to the friend (babysitting on a key day? Taking him to the hospital? Going with him to some stupid thing that he really wants you to? Looking with him at the apartment he is thinking of renting?).
Go beyond the minimum, and you will bond. Such friendships are wonderful and invaluable. They dramatically enhance your life, and are worth investing in.
Patience is a prerequisite for success.
In the first half of the final, Argentina was dominating the game while France seemed to be under a spell. There were two amazing goals from the other side, while zero shots were attempted by them.
Deschamps fumed from the stands and the fans had their hopes dashed.
Kylian Mbappé didn’t seem worried, however. When the lucky chance finally arose, he lunged towards it and scored, tilting the odds and evening the score.
It was patience and even-mindedness that made him win the Golden Boot.
He did not let the panic of losing get over his head. Instead, he kept giving his best and arose when the opportunity presented itself.
Even if the odds aren’t in your favour, stay patient and perseverant. They are two virtues which will go a long way.
Ego and anger are your enemies.
Wrath and pride are two of the seven cardinal sins and for a good reason. In any field, considering yourself the best and getting angered by small incidents will lead to your downfall. In football, you’ve to get your complacency low and stay calm-minded to thread through hard situations faster.
If you are happy where you are, you’ve won.
People often ask about your:
career,
relationships,
money
Nobody cares whether you are happy or not. So, whenever people ask me where I see myself in five years, I reply that I see myself happy. It takes people aback and makes them think.
Because ultimately, even if I play for La Liga, hold the post of the President, or be the world’s richest person, if I won’t be happy, nothing would matter.
Partly, being happy comes from doing what you love.
All the players, whether their teams won or not, were there because they shed blood and sweat, and currently are doing what they were passionate about. This makes me respect them to heights.
Never forget the purpose of life — being happy.
The Best Metaphor Ever
Hands down, nothing in the world can beat this metaphor by Alan Watts. Hands down!
Take a moment and stare into the endless sky. Observe the clouds hovering above you.
Clouds come in various colours — white, black, and grey. They have amazing shapes, from being fluffy to flat to forming an unrecognizable shape.
Clouds become anything. Yet, they remain clouds.
We are like the Clouds.
Regard yourself as a cloud, in the flesh, because you see, clouds never make mistakes. Did you ever see a cloud that was misshapen? Did you ever see a badly designed wave? No, they always do the right thing. But…
https://talksport.com/football/1235257/lionel-messi-retire-goals-argentina-world-cup-trophy-record-qatar/#:~:text=Messi%20confirmed%20that%20the%202022,and%20he%20ended%20it%20perfectly.&text=The%20Argentine%20icon%20has%20had,2016%20before%20returning%20soon%20after.