He finally did it.
After years of being called a "pecho frio"—cold-chested—by his own countrymen and enduring the suffocating shadow of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi lifted the Messi World Cup trophy in December 2022. It wasn't just a win. It was a 120-minute panic attack followed by a penalty shootout that felt like a fever dream. If you watched the final at Lusail Stadium, you know it wasn't just about the gold. It was about a career-long weight finally being lifted off a man’s shoulders.
But honestly, the story of that trophy is weirder than most people realize.
There was the "bisht" controversy, the fake trophy that did a lap around the stadium, and the realization that for about thirty minutes, Messi was actually celebrating with a ceramic replica made by fans from Buenos Aires. Soccer is weird. The World Cup is weirder.
The Chaos of the Messi World Cup Trophy Presentation
You’ve seen the photo. It is currently the most-liked image in the history of Instagram. Messi, hoisted on the shoulders of his best friend Sergio Agüero, holding the gold high.
Here is the thing: that wasn't the real FIFA World Cup trophy.
While the "Official" trophy—the 6.1-kilogram masterpiece of 18-karat gold—is handed over for the ceremony, FIFA is incredibly protective of it. They take it back almost immediately. It’s a security thing. Because of that, a replica usually makes the rounds. However, in the chaos of the celebrations in Qatar, a couple from Argentina, Paula Zuzulich and Manuel Zaro, had managed to pass their own high-quality replica down to the pitch.
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Messi spent a significant portion of his lap of honor holding a fan-made trophy without even knowing it. Angel Di Maria was actually the one who pointed out the security tags on the "real" replica he was holding, laughing at Leo because he’d been posing with a fake for half an hour. It’s kinda hilarious when you think about it. The greatest player of all time, at his peak moment, was duped by a really good craft project.
Why the Bisht Mattered
When Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani placed the black and gold "bisht" over Messi’s shoulders, the internet lost its mind. Some Western commentators called it "sportswashing" or complained that it covered up the iconic blue and white stripes of the Argentina jersey.
But in the Arab world? That was the ultimate sign of respect.
A bisht is a garment worn by royalty, warriors, and high-status individuals. By draping it over him before he touched the Messi World Cup trophy, the hosts were essentially crowning him the king of football on their soil. It was a cultural collision that defined the tournament. Whether you liked the aesthetic or not, that image is now burned into the collective memory of the sport.
The Stats Nobody Talks About
We all know he scored two goals in the final. We know he won the Golden Ball.
But look at the grit. Messi ran more in that tournament than he had in the previous two World Cups combined. He was 35. At an age when most attackers are looking for a payday in a secondary league, he was tracking back, winning tackles, and screaming at his teammates.
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The 2022 run wasn't the "tiki-taka" Messi of the Pep Guardiola era. It was a cynical, hardened version of the man. Remember the "Que miras, bobo?" moment? That was the energy that won the trophy. He stopped trying to be the "good boy" of football and started playing like a guy who knew this was his last shot at the only piece of silverware that actually mattered to him.
- 7 goals scored in the tournament.
- 3 assists (including that impossible turn against Gvardiol).
- First player to score in every single knockout round (Round of 16, Quarters, Semis, and Final).
The Legacy of the 36-Year Wait
Argentina hadn't won since 1986. For decades, the comparison between Messi and Maradona was used as a weapon against him. "Diego won it alone," they said. "Messi can't lead."
That narrative died in Qatar.
The irony is that Messi didn't win it alone. He won it because he finally had a "Bodyguard" in Rodrigo De Paul and a goalkeeper in Emi Martinez who was willing to play the villain so Messi didn't have to. The Messi World Cup trophy represents a shift in Argentinian football from a one-man show to a collective cult of personality built around a single genius.
Is the GOAT Debate Actually Over?
For most, yes. Winning the World Cup was the final box. Cristiano Ronaldo has the Euro, but the lack of a World Cup trophy is the one thing he can’t bridge.
However, some purists argue that Pelé’s three trophies or Maradona’s sheer cultural impact in Naples and Mexico City still keep them in the conversation. Honestly? It doesn't matter. What Messi did in 2022 was prove that longevity and peak performance can coexist. He didn't just win a trophy; he completed football. There is literally nothing left for him to do in the sport.
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What to Do Now (If You’re a Fan)
If you are still riding the high of that victory or trying to explain the significance to someone who doesn't get it, here are the real-world ways to engage with this piece of history:
Watch "Captains of the World" on Netflix. It gives the most intimate behind-the-scenes footage of the locker room during the final. You’ll see the tension on Messi’s face that the broadcast cameras missed.
Look at the "Three Stars" Jersey Details. If you’re buying a kit, make sure you know the difference between the "Winner" patch and the "Three Stars." Argentina added the third star above the middle of the previous two, which has since become a permanent fixture of their branding.
Understand the "Golden Ball" Nuance. Messi is the only player to win two Golden Balls (2014 and 2022). Compare the photos of him looking at the trophy in 2014—with that heartbreaking "so close yet so far" stare—to the 2022 photos. It’s a masterclass in sports psychology.
Visit the AFA Museum if you're ever in Buenos Aires. They have a dedicated section for the Qatar campaign. Seeing the replicas and the original kits in person puts the scale of the national obsession into perspective.
The Messi World Cup trophy isn't just a piece of metal. It’s the end of a twenty-year story arc. It turned a quiet kid from Rosario into a permanent deity in the eyes of millions. Whether he ever plays another minute of professional football or not, that night in Lusail ensured his name will be spoken as long as the game exists.