IT IS MESSI'S TURN TO SHINE AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP TODAY AGAINST SAUDI ARABIA

With Argentina at the World Cup, Lionel Messi will have the opportunity to win the World Cup for the last time. The player is one of the most decorated superstars in the history of the game. Lionel Messi now awaits his final chance to win soccer's ultimate prize. This will be Messi's fifth and final FIFA World Cup.

Messi came close to winning the 2014 edition, which took place in Brazil. As the ruthless German team was at the pinnacle of its soccer prowess, Argentina stormed its way into the finals. In the final phase of the match, Mario Götze, the German who was substituted, scored a stunning goal that dented Argentina's hopes. In any case, fate had another plan for Messi. Messi had the chance to level the scores with a free kick before the final whistle. This love story between free kicks and Messi has been beautiful over the years, but things did not go according to plan that night. Argentina was cast into despair by Messi's missed shot. That night, Germany edged ahead.

Several people are predicting Argentina to come out on top in Qatar, which would be the crowning achievement of Lionel Messi's career. In what is likely to be Messi's final World Cup, La Albiceleste is establishing a record of 35 consecutive wins, which is the best run by any international team in recent times, which may lead to a fairytale ending, despite this being his last World Cup. A major omission from Paris Saint-Germain's star column in the great debate as to whether he or the late Diego Maradona is the greatest player ever is the absence of the World Cup since Maradona won it practically single-handedly in 1986. A successful performance in Qatar over the next month may change Messi's fortunes.

In its opener versus Saudi Arabia, Argentina is looking to match its longest undefeated streak in men's national team history. There have been 36 consecutive games without a loss for the Argentines. This streak would be extremely surprising to see continue in the most lopsided matchup of Tuesday's World Cup schedule. It is not anticipated that Saudi Arabia will make a major announcement in the near future. The team has been drawn into a difficult group, with Poland and Mexico also offering stiff competition. Their goal was set in 1994 when they reached the last 16 in the USA, and if they can progress beyond this group, that would be a tremendous accomplishment. Herve Renard, the former Cambridge United manager who is now in charge of his sixth different national team, is now coaching the Saudi Arabian team.

Argentina is appearing in the World Cup final for the 13th consecutive time.

By Rashmi Goel