The Greatest Golden Goal
How Messi delivered the ultimate story
"What are the qualities of a hero? Loss. Defeat. A comeback.”
-Coach Patrick Maroni from TEN THOUSAND TRIES
In 2020 I wrote a book called TEN THOUSAND TRIES. I know you know because you’re my most supportive reading peeps in the world, and because…I may have mentioned it a few times? Many of you have read the book, recommended it, and for the last few days, have sent me messages like, “I bet Golden would have LOVED that game last night!!!”
Oh my, this tickles me to no end…thank you 😚
What game? The World Cup, of course! Yes, Golden would have loved that game - one of the greatest sports stories of all time.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, stay with me:
Ten Thousand Tries is about twelve-year-old Golden “Macaroni” Maroni, who is determined to channel his hero, soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Maybe you’ve heard of him?
I didn’t know much about Messi until my son, Nelson, started middle school about ten years ago. As a soccer-loving family, I often joke that playing soccer is a family requirement. It’s just what we do.
Nelson used to tell me all these little facts about Messi. Like he had tattoo of his mom on his shoulder. Like he was born with a growth-hormone deficiency and was often ridiculed - “and then you saw him play.”
My son, also small for his middle-school age, watched Messi become the greatest ever. And thus, a hero was born. Both my son and main character, Golden, latched onto the idea that 10,000 touches and hours of practice was the magic number for greatness. Golden is a figment of my imagination, but he’s also kindof my son.
Before this World Cup game, Messi had garnered every record, accolade, and title in the soccer world. Except for one. As captain of the Argentine squad, there was one prize he couldn’t seem to win: the World Cup.
At the “geriatric age” of 35, this was likely his final appearance on the World Cup stage, his last chance to win the one thing he most wanted (and the thing we most wanted, too!)
After a weird first-game loss to Saudi Arabia, Argentina recovered and made it to the final game against France (the 2018 defending world champions).
"You think soccer is just a game? Well then, you’ve never played it.”
-Golden, from Ten Thousand Tries
The final World Cup match-up last Sunday had all the elements of a good story: rising and falling action, emotion, and my favorite - a last minute twist! The plot was magnificently executed with a slow build that ended with the agonizing tension, and of course - the big payoff.
The game included super fans traveling by foot, car, plane, and bike to see the final game. The commentators spoke to families who had spent their life savings to get there(!)
That’s extreme. And…I kindof get it.
Babies were dressed in Argentine jerseys and held up as if offered to the Gods.
The Argentine brujas (witches) had been casting their spells for weeks (I could not get over this New York Times article!!!)
It sounds bizarre, but then again, don’t we all believe in strange ways? I believe in the power of prayer, though I don’t subscribe to the notion that those who pray most get what they want. Everyone watching the game wanted the win. With all those prayers being offered, I wonder if it was the most religious Sabbath of all time.
Many a player on the field made the sign of the cross before coming on or off. Messi himself is a believer. After every goal, he points to the sky (Nelson tells me it’s for his grandmother in heaven).
I had no intention about writing about The World Cup this week, it’s Christmas after all. But as I watched the final World Cup game, I realized that what we were watching was the culmination of a great story, like the ultimate page-turner. It was a gift to the masses.
We had two superheroes facing off: France’s 23-year-old Mbappe (Messi’s PSG teammate), “heir to Messi’s crown” and the Messi magic.
No matter. Messi came to play, schooling super-human athletes ten to fifteen years younger than himself. Superior conditioning and nutrition for sure, but was it also the Yerba Mate? (Can I get some?)
Always chosen to take the penalty kicks, the first goal was Messi’s. He scored, calm as a summer’s day. The crowd went wild, with the commentators commenting on his consistent “ice cold” veins under the most intense pressure.
The second goal came after Messi gave an incredible assist (from our couch we yelled, DID YOU SEE THAT?) to his teammate who passed it forward to longtime roommate and teammate, Ángel Di María, who had a stunner goal.
"How do you mark Cristiano Ronaldo? You try not to leave him alone, don't let him shoot on his right foot. And Lionel Messi? Just make the sign of the cross.”
-Giorgio Chiellini, Ten Thousand Tries
If you know something about story structure, then you know that for any great story, EVERYTHING must change at the midpoint.
And it did.
Down 0-2, Mbappe and France suddenly came alive in the second half, with Mbappe scoring two early goals nearly back to back.
Tied 2-2.
Back and forth they battled until the final whistle.
We went into the agonizing extra time play: two fifteen-minute halves. Finally, Argentina scored the most insane goal (MESSI AGAIN!)
…but then France scored!
Tied at 3-3, we went into penalty shoot-outs - a TERRIBLE, EXCRUCIATING way to end a game.
Mbappe scored for France.
Messi for Argentina.
But France missed twice.
And finally, Argentina’s young Montiel came to the pitch.
With this goal, dreams would come true.
We were spellbound, literally sweating.
We covered our mouths, held our breath. 88,966 spectators in the stadium, 32 million viewers. You could hear a pin drop.
Can you even imagine the pressure?
Argentina scored! And won the game.
And so, the legend of Messi was cemented in history as arguably the greatest to ever play the game.
His performance was genius, reminding me of one of my most favorite Ted Talks by Elizabeth Gilbert, The Elusive Creative Genius (a must-listen!).
But every once in a while, very rarely, something would happen, and one of these performers would actually become transcendent. And I know you know what I’m talking about, because I know you’ve all seen, at some point in your life, a performance like this. It was like time would stop, and the dancer would sort of step through some kind of portal and he wasn’t doing anything different than he had ever done, 1,000 nights before, but everything would align. And all of a sudden, he would no longer appear to be merely human. He would be lit from within, and lit from below and all lit up on fire with divinity.
And when this happened, back then, people knew it for what it was, you know, they called it by its name. They would put their hands together and they would start to chant, “Allah, Allah, Allah, God, God, God.” That’s God, you know.
Is it blasphemous to compare a mere mortal’s performance to God? But if we are made in the image of a mother or father, then is it so preposterous? To see transcendence? When you know you are witnessing something so divine?
I once had an editor ask - but, Amy, what happens if Golden doesn’t get what he wants? If you’ve read Ten Thousand Tries, how do you square that?
What if we had lost?
Well, we take these things hard.
Yet humans are so resilient. Yesterday, just one day after his team’s loss, Mbappe posted we will be back on social media. Within minutes it had millions of “likes.”
There it is again: hope rising. A comeback is brewing. And a new story begins.
But for those with Messi…the victory is sweet.
Finally, after all of the grueling years of training and playing and trying and hoping, Lionel Messi, #10, captain of the Argentine squad, had led his team to victory.
I’m definitely not advocating that we worship people or athletes or celebrities. It’s dangerous and we already do too much of that, but I have witnessed transcendent performances in my life. This felt like that. When, after all we can do, Grace takes over - in a really big way.
Like my most favorite stories, this game will stay with me for a long time.
Golden believes that you can never, ever give up on something or someone you love. You know who he heard that advice from? Messi. It’s never over until it’s over.
And I love that.
"Mom said we have to be careful not to get our hopes up too much.
Why not? I said. Isn't that what hope is for?" -Ten Thousand Tries
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good story!
And now I have many questions for you. Did you watch this game??? Have you ever watched a performance and knew you were watching greatness? Have you ever wanted to write about it? Please share!
💫 Book Recommendation: Ten Thousand Tries (surprise!)
If you know a reader who loves soccer, Messi, stories about friendship, grit, and love, this book is for you 🧡 If you order from Amazon today, it will likely arrive before Christmas - and right now it’s ONLY $8.99! Send me an email and I am happy to send an autographed book plate and bookmark - FREE!
Good News and Story Links
*The Lionel Messi Guide to Living
*Chickens, Textbooks, and Jump Ropes: Find a Light the World Vending Machine near you.
*And finally, if you’d like to give a gift subscription for this newsletter to someone, hit the button below. Or simply forward! 🙏
Thank you for being here! Next week: my five favorite books of the year…
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and holiday cheer to all.
Amy ❤️
My nephew is a talented college soccer player. I've truthfully never watched a real game. As a classically-trained dancer, I appreciate the grace and agility in soccer. I did not watch the World Cup but your riviting description and comparison to novel-writing made me feel I missed something. (Or "messied" something?)