LUSAIL STADIUM: Lionel Messi had waited years, ages, millennia too maybe, to be anointed the greatest. He didn't need the World Cup to prove it. But like every other child in this world -- you, me, Maradona -- he wanted it.
He waited and waited, chipping away at greatness, age catching up, pace deserting him, questions swirling, desire ebbing and resurfacing till it all came down to penalties at the food bowl-like Lusail Stadium in the northern fringe of Doha. If it was to be penalties then, another Everest, then so be it. We'll scale this one too.
