Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, every line in New York goes to Lionel Messi

Each admission to the hall came to $82, and not everyone in the 10,000-odd crowd would be admitted to the hall. But they prayed and waited, with anxious yet joyful eyes.

Some were wrapped in their country’s flag, most in the shirts of their favorite players. One Spain fan wore a curly wig like Mark Cucurella, who is a full-back cult. Other celebrities at the whistle-stop show were Rodri and Amy Martinez, Novak Djokovic, Kevin Durant and Tom Brady.

But the most important thing was Messi.

The most ubiquitous name on the shirt was the number 10, Messi. Those in the Argentine line wore blue and white stripes; Some in Spain’s ranks even wore Messi’s jersey. Same number 10, but in the red and purple of Barcelona. “We will cheer for both Messi and Spain,” explained Nehemiah Koeller. “It’s a cruel choice, I know. Maybe I want to see Messi win, because this will be his last World Cup. Lamine (Yamal) is still young and has time to win more in his life,” he added.

Argentina fan Miguel Gallego from Santa Fe was in Qatar when Messi won the World Cup. He showed a selfie. “But I want to witness this moment once again,” he said.

The all-time hero of the final is Messi, whether he will bow out with another title on the spin, for his faithful, will end all debates over whether he is greater than Diego Maradona and Pele. Or whether the well-oiled Spanish technician will end his career with a heart attack, or if Wizkid Yamal announces himself as Messi’s spiritual successor on the grand stage, when the No. 19 replaces the No. 10 as the game’s identity.

Lionel Messi in action. (AP Photo)

This is a heavy burden on Yamal’s shoulders, but he has a knack for carrying it lightly. “I’m not trying to be another Messi or Cristiano (Ronaldo),” he said.

Some fans circulated printouts of a viral photo of Messi bathing Yamal when he was four months old. Later in the evening, as the fevered crowd indulged their pious wish, American footy legend Brady asked Messi about the story behind the photo shoot. Wearing a jacket over a printed T-shirt and knee-length shorts with a sword and angel tattoo, Messi replied brazenly in Spanish: “It’s crazy. That picture with Lamine, after being photographed as a child, now we’re facing the final.”

Messi was then 20 years old, he is a miracle of the world, which he could not conquer. Yamal is at the same junction, a leap away from greatness, a precious gift yet to be harnessed.

“I’ve followed him a lot because he plays for a club I love so much. He has a chance to achieve something historic,” he paused, adding in an unusually menacing tone: “We’re going to try to make sure that doesn’t happen this time.”

But viewing the game through a Messi-Yamal prism is myopic. It is a multi-level competition, spoiled for theme. Escaped artists with touch artists, unbreakable vs. unbeatable, expression of individual dominance vs. triumph of the collective, vs. ex-colonizers, friends vs. friends, Messi for the country of his birth that shaped him. and Spain manager Luis de la Fuente in a battle of wits with his former apprentice Lionel Scaloni. The two shared a warm hug during the event and will likely do so after the game regardless of Sunday’s outcome.

Both sides have had figures other than Messi, who won the Golden Boot with eight strikes and four assists, and Yamal to define the game. Spain captain Rodri is a midfielder who dictates the rhythm of the game with an incredible passing range; Fabian Ruiz slices opponents with unpredictably fluid movements. The backline is impressive as well as efficient, conceding only once in the tournament as Spain conceded just one goal. Their speed and high pressure, when they lost possession, shocked a devastating France; Their captain Rodri demanded a good game from his troops.

But the heroes have emerged for Argentina in the clutch moments. Enzo Fernandez’s curler created a sensation against England which he cinematically wrapped up with a Lautaro Martinez header. Pedro Porro, Lisandro Martinez and Julian Alvarez have all grabbed their moments when their team’s fortunes hung in the balance.

Argentina does not mind conquering Spain, as they prefer, but they want to storm them like explosive explosions that suddenly create wild waves like a calm sea.

De la Fuente brushed off a reporter when asked if Spain were overwhelming favourites. “There are two super teams. There are many similarities in the attitude and talent of the footballers. No one is favourite, not in the final,” he said. But whatever the script or the climax, the hero will be Messi.