The tale of Messi and the German goalkeeper Neuer:
It was the night of 13th July 2014, and Lionel Messi was playing the biggest game of his life till date. He got a chance just minutes after the half-time, he was one-on-one with the German goalkeeper Neuer. Neuer charged up in front of him but Lio managed to successfully get the ball past Neuer but unfortunately inches wide of the goal. This was the miss that brought the entire world onto its toes. Messi misses in the world cup final! A goal that would’ve placed one hand of Argentina onto the Golden Holy Grail.
Video Courtesy: Youtube | Publisher: Heronumberone
In the end, it turned out to be a German victory as a late goal from German Mario Goetze sealed the game and gave a setback to Lionel Messi’s hopes of clinching the World title.
It was the night of Manuel Neuer who went home with the golden trophy and the Golden glove cementing his status as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Despite winning an individual accolade as the best player of the tournament, Messi was termed a ‘failure’ that night not just by the World but also by his fellow countrymen.
Humbly though he might have shaken his hands with Lio that night after the game, but Neuer would’ve certainly been thinking the same for Lio. Or rather the World Cup winner considered himself way too high above him. Evidence?
Almost about 10 months later when he was about to face Lionel again in a Champions League semi-final clash he had this to say in a pre-match press conference…”I have a lot of respect for Messi and for everything that he has achieved. He is very humble. But it’s crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who’s boss. I did the same in the World Cup final and this worked out pretty well”
And what happened that night?
Video Courtesy: Youtube | Publisher: Infogol Productions
Throughout the game, Messi showed vengeance and venom and always kept Neuer on his toes. Neuer did well to prevent any goals getting in, but he couldn’t do it for long.
First Lionel smashed one right past Neuer and into the goal.
Minutes later he brought down Boateng without even touching him and once he was left down for dead Lio chipped the ball over Neuer in what was a display of pure elegance.
Minutes later again Lionel played a pass to Neymar who slotted the ball home right under and through the legs of Neuer.
The ‘Boss’ was humiliated. His ego torn apart by three goals…one which went inside right in front of his nose, one right above his head and one right through his legs. Three goals within ten minutes at the home of Barcelona. These goals proved crucial as Neuer’s Bayern Munich side went crashing out of the tournament a couple of weeks later in an aggregate battle. Lionel’s Barcelona shattered Champions League hopes of Neuer’s Bayern Munich.
The lesson?
Never overestimate your successes over others’ failures, you never know when someone becomes way too determined to turn his or her failure around.
Truly respect your opponents, big and small. Everyone in this world is a warrior desperate to turn their fortunes around. In a life where time and circumstances change so quickly, it is always wise to appreciate someone for their efforts.
Celebrate your victories but never end up deeming your opponents as failures. Sometimes success can blind a person so much that he/she ends up assuming others as their stepping stones to success. But as Lionel demonstrated that night, no one in this world can be taken for granted. Successes and failures, ups and downs are a part of life so never let your successes blind you so much that one day you would have to swallow your very own words.
Always remember, “failure is just an event, it is never anybody’s true identity.”
Already exhibited to the world by the beautiful game, just drafted into words by Gagandeep Singh.
The Holy Soccrament 