Lionel Messi is approaching another World Cup final with far less pressure than before, believing he fulfilled his greatest footballing dream by lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. Ever since breaking into international football, Messi had spoken about his desire to win the World Cup, a goal he achieved after years of heartbreak, including Argentina's defeat to Germany in the 2014 final. Having conquered the sport's biggest prize, the 39-year-old now heads into Sunday's final against Spain with little left to prove. Messi has won every major trophy available at club and international level and remains the most decorated footballer in history, with an unmatched collection of team titles and individual honours that have cemented his place among the greatest players the game has ever seen.
Lionel Messi will be playing his third World Cup final. (Getty Images via AFP)
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Ahead of the final, a reporter compared Messi's career to a seamless video game during a conversation with him.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner responded in his usual understated style, joking that he had already "completed the game" by winning the World Cup four years ago.
“I already completed the game at the last World Cup. The game is already over,” Messi jokingly claimed on the sidelines of a World Cup final pre-match event on Friday.
“We never think about the pressure”: Lionel Messi
Messi looked back on his childhood, recalling how his passion for football was shaped by countless hours spent playing on the streets, at school and for his neighbourhood team.
“We grew up playing football with a lot of passion, always eager to play, have fun and enjoy ourselves, wherever we were. Whether it was at school, on the street or on a team, since we all started in a neighborhood team when we were little ,” Messi was quoted as saying by TyC Sports.
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Messi also downplayed the enormity of the World Cup final, saying he has always approached football with the same mindset of enjoying the game rather than being consumed by pressure.
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Messi also downplayed the enormity of the World Cup final, saying he has always approached football with the same mindset of enjoying the game rather than being consumed by pressure.
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“I think we never think about the pressure, we take it as something natural, to play and have a good time. We are a competitive group, we like to win but it is a team sport, the opponent plays and you can’t always win . As a kid, I learned that you lose more than you win, and that made me grow as a person and as a player ,” said Messi, downplaying the magnitude of the summit clash.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/'I already completed football in Qatar': Lionel Messi sums up his legacy before World Cup final
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