The likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have always had high expectations placed on their shoulders, and sometimes, it led to them being defeated in very important matches. The greatest footballers also lose sometimes, and even those painful losses do not diminish their greatness but rather serve to define them. Losses that they suffered in World Cups or in finals were instead embedded into their legacy. So, the question that remains is how they were able to manage all of this. Well, let us take a look at some of their greatest defeats.
Maradona: The Pain of 1990
The 1990 World Cup should have been Maradona’s masterpiece, but instead, he ended the 90s with a feeling of disappointment as Argentina lost to West Germany. To make matters worse, the game was ultimately decided on a penalty that was awarded in the 85th minute and angered all the Argentinian fans. And if it were in modern times, those who used the bookmaker for betting would have struck it rich. After all, West Germany was an outsider, but just one mistake made it a winner.
The way Diego performed in 1986 by carrying the Argentinian team on his shoulders was filled with glory, but unfortunately, he couldn’t do the same in 1990. What the 1990 match did teach us was the tiniest of differences that made or broke a win. Even after everything that went down during the match, the fact that Diego still managed to carry his team greatly showcases what kind of a legendary footballer he was.
Messi’s Copa América Struggles
Lionel Messi has suffered his fair share of painful losses, and among them, there is perhaps none more painful than his defeat in the Copa América finals of 2015 and 2016. In both of these matches, Argentina was eliminated by Chile via penalties. Messi missed a vital penalty in 2016, which later led to him declaring retirement from international football for the time being.
Considering Lionel Messi’s level, these defeats were hard-hitting for him. On the positive side, these highlighted his untamed love for his country. His determination in persevering through all odds and finally winning the 2021 Copa América is proof that it is never too late to change the course of history.
Famous Heartbreaking Moments
Apart from this, let us look at four other great losses that contributed to the making of great football players:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Euro 2004 Final: Ronaldo’s Portugal was edged 0-1 by Greece in a further heartbreaking twist for him, who was unable to win a title on home ground.
- Zinedine Zidane – 2006 World Cup Final: A red card awarded to Zidane during extra time completely overshadowed his early goal for France during the match against Italy, which ended up going to penalties.
- Roberto Baggio – 1994 World Cup Final: With Brazil being awarded the title, Baggio’s low strike during a shootout soon became the essence of all of his talent.
- Johan Cruyff – 1974 World Cup Final: The Netherlands were favored to win against West Germany in a bid to dethrone them but ended up failing to take the cup home.
These memories showcase that even the legends endure painful heartbreaks, too.
The Mental Toll of Defeat
For football players such as Messi and Maradona, losing leads to an overbearing pressure. They represent whole countries, and letting the country down results in a significant emotional toll, but at the same time accentuates their humanistic frailties. They are not just players; they are much more than that. They are the face of hope, for they experience all the lies, fears, and doubts, as every athlete does.
Losing out fuels further motivation to do better. And this concerns all spheres of our life because even when you play online slots, losing is only part of the way to a big win. And yes, losing is unpleasant, but you need to accept it and move on to your desired goals. So, for Lionel Messi, 2021 came as a ray of hope after losing three finals consecutively. After going through the painful experience of 1990, Maradona formed an even stronger relationship with the fans, as they used to express their love for him in a passionate way.
The Thin Line Between Greatness and Defeat
Being great is measured not only by the number of titles won but also by factors like strength and bravery that come in fighting another day. The tears of Diego Maradona during the 1990 tournament and the sadness of Lionel Messi in 2016 tell us that even great athletes are just human. The period of failure is just as important as the triumph since winning is not about never losing. Football’s greatest stars are not inspired by being more than human. They inspire because they know how to take the worst and turn it into the best.