Hard time

I was sorry to see Messi in tears after the final match of the FIFA World Cup. Messi is a top-star, global player. This could be his last World Cup, since he is already 39 years old. So, it made me sad that he departed the world stage of his favourite game, in tears.

In the 1970 film Patton, the iconic final line is delivered by George C. Scott. He talks about Roman conquerors returning from war and concludes, “...A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.”

Victory is a whimsical mistress. We cannot get carried away, in victory or defeat. So, Messi should kick a football and start playing again. Great players never give up.

Rajendra Aneja
Mumbai, India