Sports
Kylian Mbappe, a Legend in the truest sense!
Twenty years down the line, all will speak about this final in this manner… “Legend has it that Kylian Mbappe rescued the game of soccer.”
By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | December 20, 2022
Kylian Mbappe, a Legend
Legend has it that personalities are crowned legends towards the end of their career or midway depending on the impact they have made on their sport or the immortality factor they have rubbed off on the sport.
Legend has it that all and sundry are now termed legends, without thought or respect for the word, Legend.
Everyone aims to be a Legend, subconsciously. Some consciously. Some are born legends.
Diego Maradona, Cassius Clay, Pele, closer home, we have Dhyan Chand and Milkha Singh. Born Legends. I’m deliberately not mentioning names of individuals who made themselves greater than the game to prolong their stay in Indian sport at the cost of newer talent to aim for records and extend advertising contracts.
They are peddlers in the garb of playing for the Nation.
Kylian Mbappe, a Legend
Legend also has it that those crowned with the sobriquet are a tad uncomfortable. They know that they are but humans who have been blessed to be in the right place at the right time. Humans, who have passionately pursued their dream to be the best at what they feel they are best at.
Legend has it that Kylian Mbappe is already a legend. To think that this lad has only just begun his journey.
On Sunday, December 18, 2022, Mbappe became a man. It was trial by fire as all his seniors were substituted leaving him, almost reluctantly, to lead from the front. Leaving him to thrust France forward with that delectable speed burst and ball control.
Hugo Lloris the skipper of France was in the goal. He was far behind to inspire the young substitutes who decided to ‘play’ in the final… despite the odds.
Mbappe was an inspiration on the field, not only for his teammates but for the whole of France who was in shock at the 0-2 score-line at 70 minutes with their star players back in the hut.
Kylian Mbappe, a Legend
It was one-man against 11 marauding Argentinians; an unfair tipping of the scale. Mbappe took the challenge and turned what would have otherwise been a lacklustre final into one that will always be spoken about whenever talk of a World Cup final crops up.
I shudder to think what Didier Deschamps’ expression would have been had France won the tie-breaker.
Legend has it that he was glum when France pulled one back.
For the record, Argentina won. But Mbappe won for France. Mbappe won for soccer fans across the globe. Mbappe won for his teammates on the field with him. Mbappe won it back for the beautiful game of soccer… he won it for the global audience even though it was a FREEFA all.
Kylian Mbappe, a Legend
Mbappe is truly a Legend. Here’s looking to 12 more years of soccer genius from this lad who is already on his path to greatness. I’m sure, when he turns up for the World Cup in 2034, he will need no referee assists to win games.
A warrior needs no unfair advantage.
A warrior ploughs on, despite the odds.
A warrior climbs insurmountable mountains and punches through the odds.
A warrior fights to keep the spirit of the game alive.
A warrior lifts the game, with super-human brilliance when mere mortals look for unfair advantages to lift the World Cup.
A warrior is a Legend!
Twenty years down the line, soccer lovers will speak about this final this way… “Legend has it that Kylian Mbappe rescued the game of soccer from falling into an abyss.”
They will speak about the Legend who looked at an unfair advantage that was part of a ‘Messy’ history in soccer.
A Legend was seen on December 18, 2022, at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
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