India, July 20 -- At the end of the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi - the greatest player of this generation and perhaps of all time - was sitting on the field with his legs stretched out in front of him and a rather stunned look on his face.

It's difficult to say whether that look came more from the fact that Spain had beaten them 1-0, thanks to a Ferran Torres goal in extra time or because of how meekly Argentina had surrendered. His team were the defending champions and they had found ways to win games but just when they needed their heart the most, it failed them.

It was a World Cup final but only one side came out wanting to win. The other, ruled by fear, chose to simply defend. That's not how Messi would like to remember his la...