You don't know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. But are we appreciative of such moments? If this life pondering statement is applicable in the sporting context, it also makes us remember and appreciate many a momentous moment over decades.
The thoughts and memories come flooding through when our idols call it a day. For many of us, it’s a difficult pill to swallow and leaves some in denial.
Cricket’s Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, for one, where the entire nation shed tears, comes to mind. The untimely retirement of the “greatest ever manager” Sir Alex Ferguson has made Manchester United fans yearn for the glory days for almost a decade. The recent bowing out of Roger Federer not only left fans in tears but even rendered his archrivals heartbroken.
These career curtain downers have been bearable but is the sporting fraternity ready for the next ones ---The possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing their last few matches for their respective nations at the World Cup in Qatar.
The duo are in the twilight of their careers. They’ve scintillated down their years – individually as well as being vital cogs in their teams, club and country winning awards and accolades. But, without a semblance of a doubt, they would trade all those laurels for football’s ultimate prize – the glittering World Cup trophy.
The two ‘GOATs’ sight the end of their glittering careers but they continute to be the talking point especially after their shock moves from the Spanish league to the French top division in which they ply their sublime trade with giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Fans will be riveted to the action from Qatar and they include countless aficionados in Goa, impassioned by the duo’s legacy.
Says avowed fan Sharmad Dhond, “Ronaldo returning to the Theatre of Dreams, was a dream come true for every Manchester United fan. His mere presence made every fan believe in the team after a decade of tough times. However, this season, it looks like age has finally caught up with CR7 and it’s time for him to hand over the reins to youngsters that grew up idolising him.”
“However, watching him win the Euros with Portugal in 2016 brought a tear to the eye and I hope the team achieves the same result this time without Ronaldo being injured at this World Cup,” Dhond said of CR7, who he has closely followed down the years.
While the Portuguese legend may have exorcised his demons of Euro 2004 where Portugal lost the final to Greece at home, the Argentine maestro had to wait until 2021 to lift silverware with his country after losing out on four occasions.
“Messi is known for finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line,” says Andrew Fernandes of Carona.
Fernandes quoted the legend of yesteryear, the redoubtable Maradona, who once said, “I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi.”
“That speaks of Messi’s calibre and if he manages to clinch football’s biggest prize, this truth will become a reality,” he says.
Tushar Chodankar who will fly to Qatar to watch Portugal take on South Korea in the group stages said, “Curtains might just be draping over Cristiano’s incredible international career but he still has some juice left in the tank and I’m sure he, along with Portugal, will have a brilliant tournament. After waiting in the online ticketing queue for over six hours, I am super excited to see him play one last time in the World Cup.”
“It’s a shame the two had to co-exist at the same time. We have to truly appreciate these guys especially the ones who are looking at making football a career. Trust me, such a phenomenon where twin superstars exist is never going to happen for the next generations,” said Jovan Dias, a teacher by profession, and who believes that it’s time both sets of fans should set rivalry aside and just enjoy what these two greats have left to offer.
Apart from Ronaldo and Messi, there are other players who will have a last shot at glory. Football fanatics will have a last view at what the likes of recently crowned Ballon D’Or winners Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Manuel Neuer, Angel Di Maria, Thiago Silva, Luis Suarez and a few more have to offer on the ultimate stage.
“This World Cup will be really interesting and memorable as it will be the last World Cup for the greatest players of all time, Messi and Ronaldo. But we will also witness other greats playing their last edition. Lewandowski, one of the world’s best strikers, will be missed after this World Cup along with Neymar for doing what he does best,” said social worker Gabel Mascarenhas.
Mascarenhas would celebrate Brazil winning a sixth World Cup title, but “39-year-old left-back Dani Alves being part of it would be the icing on the cake”.
Alves, he reminds us, is currently the most decorated football player with 46 major titles. “What a farewell that would be for the Brazil veteran,” Mascarenhas says.
The Qatar extravaganza may be shrouded with multiple controversies, however, one would definitely agree that lifting the Coupe du Monde would be the perfect epilogue to the incredible careers of Leo and CR7.