Messi’s date with history in Maracana

IF IT were sex, Lionel Messi’s debut for Argentina against Hungary nine years ago would have been called a quickie.

Then 18 years old, with the number 18 on his back, Messi lasted all of two minutes before seeing red on August 17 2005.

German referee Markus Merk sent the two-minute noodle off for elbowing Hungary opponent Vilmos Vanczak.

Fast forward to July 13 2014 and Messi is standing on the cusp of history.

Messi has lasted six solid rounds in Brazil and is still standing going into the seventh, the 2014 Fifa World Cup final tonight.

This is not fornication, it is football.

Today, history beckons for the native of Rosario as he aims to enter his name into the annals of Argentine folklore in one of the most iconic soccer cathedrals in the world.

As the skipper steps into the Maracana, all of Argentina — from Diego Maradona, the revolutionary ghost of Che Guevara to the departed soul of Alfredo Di Stefano — await with great anticipation.

Their expectation is for Messi to do for Argentina in 2014 what Maradona did for the Albiceleste in 1986 — lead their country to World Cup glory.

It is a huge burden on the tiny shoulders of the man who stands 1.66m.

All 41 086 927 Argentinians and millions more around the globe who are mesmerised by Messi’s spell will love nothing more than the sight of the football genius caressing the glittering 6.2kg, 18 carat that is the World Cup trophy.

There is no backing out of today. Messi must face his day with destiny, his date with history.

But if soccer is his sport then history is his canvas. The Flea has used his God-given genius to make short shrift of records and win every prize known to the game of billions.

Let’s count them. Individually: Four Ballons d’Or and three European Golden Shoes.

Collectively, Barcelona have had massive returns to their investment: Two Club World Cups, three Uefa Champions Leagues, two Uefa Super Cups, six La Ligas, six Super Copas de Espana and two Copas del Rey.

To think that the world could have been deprived of this maestro?

Messi’s story is a tale of triumph against adversity, a true testament to the adage that in the mist of difficulty lies opportunity.

In childhood, the son of a factory steelworker father and part-time cleaner mother suffered a growth hormone deficiency. The ailment threatened to stunt his progress.

Sitting straight required expensive treatment — $800 a month was a fortune his parents did not have.

River Plate, the Argentine club that was desperate for his services, were also bereft of deep financial reservoirs to fund Messi’s remedy.

Barcelona snapped up the tiny tot when he was 13, took him to Spain and financed his treatment.

Barca’s investment has paid off. There is nothing Messi has not won with the club, save for the Macufe Cup.

He led Argentina to gold at the 2008 Olympics. But the Olympics are not the same as the World Cup.

The comparison to compatriot Maradona was inevitable. For as long as Messi has not done for Argentina what Maradona did in 1986, he remains in the shadow of El Diego.

There’s been a long line of pretenders to the number 10 throne since Maradona.

Ariel Ortega and Juan Roman Riquelme spring to mind. But none have come closer to the legend than Messi.

The world will be watching to see if he can inspire Argentina to bring the grinding German machine to a screeching stop.

If Messi helps Argentina claim their third World Cup — in his 93rd match for his country and playing in the most important match of his life — no-one in the world will dispute that the main man upstairs was kind to let us witness the best footballer ever.

How far can Messi go? The world is a few hours from finding out.