If Messi had capitalized on his one-on-one chance in the 2014 World Cup Final to defeat Germany and win the title 8 years earlier, would his career narrative of a 'dramatic journey to ultimate fulfillment' have lost its luster?
If Messi had seized the one-on-one chance to defeat Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and won the title eight years earlier, would his career story of "a turbulent journey culminating in a triumphant conclusion" lose some of its luster?
Yes, the story might lose some of its impact. Here's why:
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Diminished Dramatic Tension: The core appeal of Messi's career lies in its "turbulent journey" narrative arc. The 2014 failure—including the missed chance in the final—was a major setback, foreshadowing subsequent struggles (like the 2015 and 2016 Copa América losses and Barcelona's decline). A 2014 victory would have made the story appear more "straightforward," lacking the epic quality of the 2022 Qatar World Cup win. That victory, achieved at age 35 as team leader, was seen as the ultimate redemption after years of hardship, powerfully reinforcing the theme of "triumphant conclusion."
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Reduced Emotional Depth: The 2022 victory was globally perceived as "long-awaited justice." Messi's personal growth (from a young prodigy to a leader) and the national team's transformation (from repeated failures to united champions) gained profound emotional resonance because of it. An earlier win would have weakened this long-built emotional tension, making the story feel more like a "smooth-sailing" legend rather than an epic struggle mirroring real life.
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Impact on Career Narrative Integrity: While Messi's other achievements (like 7 Ballon d'Or awards and club honors) remain glorious, the World Cup is the "crowning jewel" of his career. Winning in 2014 might have rendered subsequent years (such as his move to Paris Saint-Germain and adaptation to a new environment) seem redundant. The climax arriving too early would lessen the audience's resonance with the "triumphant conclusion."
In summary, winning in 2014 would have stripped Messi's story of some depth and emotional impact, though it wouldn't erase his greatness—it would simply make the "turbulent journey" arc less pronounced.