Messi is beyond reality. Admit it!

For his millions of admirers, the controversial debate about Lionel Messi’s right to be regarded as the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time) in history is officially over. He finally steps out of Maradona’s shadow once and for all. And definitely for good—the world should move on from one star to another… and the game deserves to get more and more shining stars. Argentina has produced some of the greatest footballers on the planet, such as Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Román Riquelme, Sergio Aguero, and now Messi.

Argentines can now finally end their mourning for Diego. In perhaps his final World Cup appearance, Messi scored twice as Argentina battled to a 3-3 draw in extra time before prevailing on penalties against France in Qatar. In a scintillating career that has spanned over three decades, Messi—the magician and the machine—has won 37 club trophies, seven Ballon D’Or awards and six European Golden Boots.

That’s not all. There has also been a Copa América title for his country, an Olympic gold medal and a list of scoring and statistical records that may arguably never be beaten. And now, the World Cup title is merely the cherry on top of a career that will likely never be challenged in the near future.

A script that is only full of hope but less in reality. What fun in a story without stumbles? The journey in Qatar began on the worst possible note. You may call it a fairy tale story. Who would have thought that after going down in their opening game against ‘the weakest team in the World Cup’ —Saudi Arabia— Argentina would come back to win the title? That speaks volumes about the skipper of the team and its members. They say fortune favours the brave, but in this instance, it was beyond bravery, it was indeed magical to pull off a miraculous victory.

Messi’s nature of play is ‘absolutely natural’ unlike Cristiano Ronaldo who has to ‘work hard’ to stay afloat in that imaginary top-five list. Messi’s masterclass in the semifinal against Croatia will perhaps become the most-watched clip on social media. With a comfortable two-goal lead, Messi picked the ball out of nowhere on the flank and dragged Croatia’s defender Josko Gvardiol wide before making a run. While Gvardiol followed his man, Messi ran, narrowed the angle before drawing wide again, turned, cut back in, pirouetted, and furnished a pass for Julian Alvarez to complete the easiest of finishes taking Argentina to the finals of the World Cup.

Players dream about perfect farewells, but unfortunately, most of the legends leave without a happy ending. It’s impossible because a bulk of things should fall in place against all odds. And what Messi achieved is abnormal…so there’s a reason for soccer lovers to call him ‘the best ever to have played the game.’