if it weren’t for leo messi, i would have never started watching football or fallen in love with barça. that’s why, no matter how much i hate the current state of argentine football, i have never stopped watching #10. from my childhood to my adulthood, i’ve witnessed so many of his highs and lows—from seeing him leave barça and retire from the national team the first time because he couldn’t take the heartbreak of letting down his country anymore, to seeing him finally win the world cup in 2022. 2022 was special not only because he won it, but because he put his blood, sweat, and tears into that tournament. his second chapter arc was truly a sight to see, and i am so glad i got to witness it and see him win it all. watching argentina will never be the same