Irish Examiner view: Messi made us wait, but thrilled us with a magical World Cup swansong

Towards the end of his illustrious career, Lionel Messi secured his lifelong ambition of a World Cup triumph for Argentina

Argentina's Lionel Messi effortlessly puts the ball past French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris during the penalty shootout that decided the Fifa World Cup final at Lusail Stadium, Qatar yesterday. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

One of the most memorable soccer World Cup finals of all time — some people say it was the greatest, although opinions may have changed after yesterday — took place in Mexico 52 years ago, when one player was recognised as the finest in the history of the game. 

That man was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as Pelé, and Brazil’s 4-1 trouncing of Italy was regarded as the summit of his career.