India, July 17 -- Lionel Messi continues to defy age, leading Argentina into the World Cup final with a campaign for the ages at 39. The captain has either scored or assisted in every one of Argentina's matches, underlining his remarkable consistency on football's biggest stage. Far from slowing down, Messi has been the driving force behind his team's run, delivering decisive moments whenever they have needed him most. With eight goals and four assists already in the tournament, he has produced one of the finest World Cup campaigns in recent memory, proving that even at 39, his brilliance remains unmatched.

For years, the debate over football's greatest player has centred on Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It began to tilt heavily in Messi'...