For Argentina, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was far more than just the end of an agonising 36-year wait to be crowned champions of the world again.
It was an emotional rollercoaster of a month, which saw the Albiceleste swing from despair to ecstasy, with captain Lionel Messi at the heart of this journey as he added the one major prize that had so far alluded him.
For former Argentina skipper Javier Zanetti – whose 18-year international career came and went during the Albiceleste’s wait for a second World Cup crown – the memories of that month in Qatar will never wane.
Zanetti on how Argentina’s 2022 World Cup defined a generation
“Four years have passed, but that moment was unforgettable for me and all Argentinians – seeing our captain, Lionel Messi, lift the World Cup,” Zanetti recalls to FourFourTwo.
“My family were in Qatar with me – we lived through that month, experiencing every emotion, from the defeat against Saudi Arabia when it seemed like there wouldn’t be a happy ending, to the moment of triumph.”
The 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia was one of the group stage’s biggest upsets, as the Asian side ended what had been a 36-match unbeaten streak for Argentina that dated back to 2019.
It also brought back memories of Argentina’s opening match defeat to Cameroon in 1990, a tournament in which they lost the final.
Wins over Mexico and Poland ensured a safe passage into the knockout phase, where Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia were dispatched before Argentina’s epic win over France in one of the best-ever World Cup finals.
“Right after the match, I had the chance to go down to the pitch,” Zanetti adds when asked about the final.
“I greeted all the players, and the only ones I hadn’t seen yet were Lautaro Martinez and Messi.
“While looking for Lautaro and climbing the podium, someone tapped me on the leg. I turned around, and it was Messi.
“We hugged, and I thanked his wife and kids as well. I told them that they didn’t know how lucky they are to have the father they have. That was a special moment for me. Messi didn’t need the World Cup to be among the greatest of all time, but he deserved it. He brought glory to Argentina.”
“Lionel deserved that moment of glory, that once-in-a-lifetime experience. He suffered so much with the national team. But finally, he got the chance to lift the World Cup.”
