If this World Cup had a face, it would be Lionel Messi’s. The mercurial Argentine has been the tournament’s most valuable marketing asset. He is the frontman for Fifa’s “Football Unites the World” campaign, and has a host of endorsements in Qatar. As one of the superstars playing at Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain, that is hardly a surprise.
Along with Cristiano Ronaldo (and to some extent Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema), Messi has also helped weave the most compelling storyline ahead of this World Cup. The GOAT era is drawing to a close. At 35, this is likely to be his final chance at lifting football’s ultimate prize. Many fans have come here just to bear witness to Messi’s last hurrah.
So the humiliation of his Argentina team — second favourites to win the World Cup ahead of kick-off — at the hands of a low-ranked Saudi Arabia is a blow to the mythmaking of Qatar 2022.
But there is a flip side. After days of stories about unfinished accommodation, alcohol bans and “unauthorised” rainbows, the football has delivered something the organisers have been hoping for: a major talking point.
And, for Messi, there is a curious subplot. Earlier this year he signed up to promote tourism in Saudi Arabia. That could potentially put him in a position where he is backing a Saudi bid to host the World Cup in 2030, a contest that is likely to pit the Gulf kingdom against his native Argentina.
Wednesday’s one to watch: Belgium’s golden generation tries again
Belgium have long been the hipsters’ favourites at international tournaments. For years the team has been stacked with top-class talent, from Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku in attack, to Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld at the back.
But perhaps their most important player is goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid stopper was recently named the world’s best keeper, having been instrumental in his team’s successful Champions League campaign last season.
In Qatar, Belgium will need him to be on top form. The much-vaunted “Golden Generation” is entering its twilight years. This may be its last chance to prove the hipsters right.
Read Simon Kuper’s full profile of Thibaut Courtois here.
Wednesday’s fixture list:
Morocco vs Croatia, 10am UK time/1pm Doha time
Germany vs Japan, 1pm UK time/4pm Doha time
Costa Rica vs Spain, 4pm UK time/7pm Doha time
Belgium vs Canada, 7pm UK time/10pm Doha time
Tuesday’s highlight: A boost for Saudi Arabia’s football ambitions
As stunned Argentina fans left the stadium after their shock 2-1 loss, Saudi fans were busy sharing videos of celebrations back home on their phones. So momentous was the result that the Saudi king immediately declared Wednesday a national holiday.
In Riyadh, Saudis celebrated, some driving around with passengers leaning out of windows and flying their green national flags. Social media users shared scenes of celebration in Egypt and Gaza.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in sport are huge and growing. The country’s sovereign wealth fund acquired a majority stake in Premier League club Newcastle United a year ago, and have — backed by hundreds of millions of pounds in oil money — made the Magpies genuine contenders for Champions League qualification this season.
The Saudis have also committed at least $2bn to build a rival circuit, LIV Golf, to the PGA Tour. You can watch our video explainer of the Saudi hostile takeover of golf here, part of our Scoreboard video series.
A Saudi bid to host the 2030 World Cup is in the works, perhaps in partnership with Greece and Egypt. Tuesday’s win may be just one match, but it will only serve to bolster Saudi interest in the world’s most popular sport.
Tuesday’s results:
Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2
Denmark 0 Tunisia 0
Mexico 0 Poland 0
France 4 Australia 1
News round-up:
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Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United, with his contract terminated by mutual agreement and with immediate effect. The move comes days after an explosive TV interview with Piers Morgan. The Portuguese star is due to make his first World Cup appearance on Thursday against Ghana.
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German retailer Rewe said on Tuesday that it was cancelling its sponsorship deal with the German football federation after the team bowed to threats from Fifa and refrained from wearing pro-inclusion armbands as planned.
