Well on its way, the world cup is seeing teams making it to the second phase. Some are bound to return home, and some are offering nail biting, nerve wrecking pressure with who will advance in the next stage. All the makings of a sensational world cup campaign, just as it should be. In last night's games -- what happened, who did what wrong, which player stunned with his shenanigans, what will happen in the upcoming games, and many more - such discussions, debates are abundantly prevailing everywhere. Among these, one topic resonates highly, and that is, why should a player's ultimate greatness be adjudged through seven games of the World Cup. The questions raised around this issue are mainly coming from millennials, and rightly so. Guess some context would be helpful!
A bunch of youngsters in a friendly football discourse raised the question that Messi's greatness should not be compared with that of Maradona anymore. The feats Messi has achieved; the mesmerising football he has gifted this world are good enough to elevate him to Football's Hall of Divinity. They emphasised that football isn't the same as it used to be in 80s and 90s, and fans as well as pundits should stop searching for World Cup feathers in a player's cap before bestowing them with ultimate greatness, which has been bestowed upon Beckenbauer, Pele, Maradona, and a few others. The youngsters raised the question even citing Cruyff, the great Dutch footballer, saying that he hasn't won the world cup. Would someone consider him a member of the football divine? That is debatable of course, and for me Cruyff is a demigod of Football, as would be many other players like Roberto Baggio of Italy, Batistuta of Argentina, and many more. We can even have long and justified debate about whether they should be even listed under the demigod category. Within the plethora of viewpoints regarding this issue, one question remains epitome. Why is the World Cup the ultimate decider of Greatness?
The World Cup is the most iconic and coveted trophy among these international football tournaments, by far, and for obvious reasons. Firstly, it seems to a great extent that many unconsciously mix up what it means by international football and club football. The latter is viewed globally, but it is still a domestic football platform of a particular country i.e. Spanish League, Italian League. These leagues still fall short to be the actual international competition sans, maybe, the UEFA Champions League. Secondly, consider the gap between the each international tournament. Club football goes on for months, while international tournaments are held once in several years, and span for not more than a month. World Cup comes every four years. Thirdly, consequently the number of matches played is a key consideration. World Cup has seven matches for four teams at best, whereas the matches played in club football are overwhelmingly high in number. So, it is obvious that the World Cup has a high dose of exclusivity attached to it. In addition, football is truly a global game as it is the most popular sport; and the World Cup is the biggest and most-watched sporting event in the world. Thus, it is natural that whoever can outshine others in this exclusive setting, and bring ultimate victory for his nation, that footballer must be deemed to have reached a higher echelon than the rest.
Furthermore, football is not only a sport, but it is also an expression of culture for many nations. It is akin to a global language that is spoken in different dialects and accents across the globe. The World Cup invokes a sense of pride in one's nation and culture. The fervour influences people who have no interest in football, and even those who are not being represented in the World Cup. Bangladesh is the case in point. But the game of football, its universal simplicity makes it our game, everyone's game. For many, cheering for their nation in the World Cup is the biggest patriotic act. This reaches a profound level as one's country is represented in a grand scale in front of the world. The power of national representation is not unique to football, but the passion the game and world cup elicits certainly is. It enables the common man to puff his chest, and say with pride - "this is my team." Those not represented in the World Cup, can also chime in, thumping their chest and saying, "I support that nation." World Cup football truly embraces people from across the globe. Simply put, the World Cup in the only truly single-sport global event. An event where we have this amazing confluence of the sport's best players coming together for a month.
In such an exclusive and grand platform, upsets, misses, and great feats are remembered for ever. This is the place were legends are born. Stars evolve into legends through doing great feats for their country. This World Cup, we are all eagerly waiting for another star to evolve into a legend, and elevate in to the hall of divine. A few could be named in this respect, Messi being the foremost. Cristiano Ronaldo could also be one of them, though his team isn't really a contender for the title.
All of it just underscores the importance of the World Cup above all else. This tournament remains the anvil, which tests the mettle of stars like Messi and Ronaldo. It is true that if the team they lead aren't at par, then how could it be fair to judge their greatness based on the team's weakness. It is not an invalid question, and it could be discussed from various perspectives. But, for now, let's suffice to say that it is what it is. The reality is club football create superstars, and contemporary great players. World Cup remains the ultimate testing ground, where legends are born, perpetual greatness is achieved, and extraordinary feats of footballers, star or not, evolve them into football's "all time greats". Those who make it enter the Hall of Divine; and those who almost made it, but were left just short, are demigods of football. They will be remembered, lacking the ultimate reverence.
