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Isn't that where all great
international players go after retirement?
Lionel Messi has shocked the world but
not Mathew Hayden and Michael Hussey who saw it coming for a long time. Calling
time on his international career, after missing a penalty in the Copa America
Finals against Chile, Messi (short for mesmerize), is arguably the greatest
player to have not won any of the world's great trophies.
From a very young age, Messi was very
fond of clubbing. This transplanted into many of his successes against club
sides across the world. Best known for being a goal vending machine for FC Barcelona,
Messi is not retiring from club or franchise football.
Meanwhile, the BCCI always quick to
lure great internationals into retirement, have refused to take responsibility
for Messi's retirement. “He has retired and we respect that, if he wants to be
part of the IPL in whatever capacity he deems fit, he is most welcome” Already
unfounded rumours are doing the round that Messi will be part of the mini IPL
to be hosted overseas.
New India coach, Anil Kumble could
fast-track Messi's initiation into the new game. The upcoming series to the
West Indies could serve as a perfect meeting point for Virat Kohli and Lionel
Messi. It is learnt if Messi plays in the IPL, it will be for none other than
Kohli's team, RCB. “RCB is yet to win the IPL, and even though many trophies
have eluded Messi, we know how good he is at the franchise game, where you
don't feel the pressure of playing for your country”, India and RCB skipper,
Virat Kohli was heard saying. Fellow team mate and buddy, AB de Villiers’
echoed Virat’s words, “Messi is almost South African, and I welcome him in
RCB...though he will be very much at home playing with the Proteas...we can all
collectively choke...”
Still others feel that Messi was born
to coach Mumbai Indians. Tendulkar was unusually outspoken when he said, “We
have all the world's coaches but we do not yet have a football coach. Those who
have followed Indian cricket will have seen how much Dhoni and Kohli and other
Indian players love to play football before a cricket match. And if your
football preparation isn't good, how can your cricket performance be any
better?” Nita Ambani, a new appointee to the IOC has welcomed Messi in the
Mumbai Indians’ family. Fielding coach, Jonty Rhodes, who named his child,
India, has now branded the team, “Messi Indians”.
After finishing just above Kings XI
Punjab in the IPL, Dhoni said he was a Manchester United supporter and would be
happier if Lionel Messi joined another team. “Yes, he is a great player but
like Rahane I don't know if his game is suited for Indian conditions. Even
though he will start in the mini IPL, which is being held overseas, the main
IPL will be held in India. We have arrived after a good combination after a
string of defeats and injuries and you would have seen even our defeats were by
narrow margins so we'd like to concentrate on the cricket than get too carried
away by the football”
When asked what he thought of retiring
from internationals, and if Messi's decision will affect him, he said had he
been asked this question a few months back, he would have been reactionary, but
he has now been advised to be minimal in his answers. Dhoni replied with a
simple “No, we are very different individuals”
Not much is being made of Messi’s association with Tata
Motors but it is learnt after driving the Nano, he regretted his decision to
ever play the beautiful game which eventually led to his big-buck signing with
the Indian major. It is still too early to say whether Tata is responsible for
Messi’s final tata from international football.
(However plausible this may sound, this is largely a work of
fiction.)
