Soulcié, the cartoonist behind many of these critiques, has a long history of illustrations ridiculing Messi. One of the most memorable was posted after PSG’s loss to Liverpool, where he depicted La Pulga with holes in his arms and legs while declaring: “Oops, another lost ball!” This referred to a match where Messi lost possession 26 times.
L’Equipe’s media coverage is not limited to Messi. Kylian Mbappé, PSG’s star player and key figure in the French national team, has also come under recent scrutiny. After the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the striker was overshadowed by Spain’s Rodri, the newspaper made a striking comparison: “Mbappé will be 26 in December. At that age, Messi had already won four football titles. Ballon d’Or,” insinuating that the Frenchman might not live up to the high expectations placed on him.
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Criticism of Lionel Messi in France has intensified since Argentina won their third World Cup title, 36 years after their triumph in Mexico ’86, beating France in an incredible final at Qatar 2022 which ended 3-3 after 120 minutes.
The Argentine side had two chances to secure victory during normal time and extra time, but an unstoppable Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick, took the drama of the final to impossible levels.
In the penalty shootout, Argentina converted all four of their attempts (Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel), while Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez saved Kingsley Coman’s shot, and Aurélien Tchouaméni missed his.
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-On his final night on the world stage, Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute of the first half, and Ángel Di María, another key figure, doubled the lead in the 32nd minute of the same period.
Mbappé forced extra time with two quick goals in the 35th and 36th minutes of the second half and then went for penalties by equalizing at 3-3 in the 117th minute, just after Lionel Messi had made it 3-2 in a colossal duel between the two global football icons.
More than 80,000 ecstatic Argentine fans celebrated their national team’s long-awaited victory at Lusail Stadium, elevating Messi to a celestial plane similar to that of Diego Maradona, an ever-present figure in fans’ memories throughout the tournament.
Argentina, champions in ’78 and ’86, became the fourth most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history after Brazil (5), Italy and Germany (4), while France holds 2 titles.
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The ‘Scaloneta’, who won four titles with victories in the Copa América Brazil 2021 and USA 2024, as well as the Finalissima 2021, broke a two-decade drought of no success for South American teams.
In the decisive penalty shootout, with the Argentinian fans cheering in the background, the team was perfect. Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez rose to the occasion, and what the entire football world was waiting for finally came true: Argentina and Messi were finally crowned world champions.
