Spain conquered the world, and Trump stole the final: Messi's last night

Spain conquered the world: 1:0 over Argentina and the end of the Messi story

The World Cup final in New Jersey ended the way the whole tournament had been signalling - with Spain on top. The goal came only in extra time, the score 1:0, but the numbers tell the whole story: Argentina finished the first half without a single shot on goal, the first time since 1966. Emiliano Martínez kept goal like a man possessed - from Pedri, from Cubarsí, from Yamal's free kick - and carried the game into extra time single-handedly. It wasn't enough. Enzo Fernández got a red card in stoppage time, and Spain used the numerical advantage. Lamine Yamal, a teenager, became the first footballer with a European and a world title in the same generation. For Argentina and Messi - the end of a story that lasted longer than any other.

Best eleven: Mbappé took the boot, Ronaldo stayed home, and the Balkans watched

The tournament's ideal team is a list of names every child knows: Rodri took the „Golden Ball“ for best player, Unai Simón the „Golden Glove“ for best goalkeeper, and young Cubarsí the award for best young player. The goal of the tournament went to Kylian Mbappé, who at the same time became the top scorer in the competition's history. England gets three in the eleven, among them Jude Bellingham with seven goals - the most for an Englishman at a single World Cup. And Messi? Even in defeat - first for chances created and key passes. Legends don't leave quietly.

Juventus is chasing a veteran again: De Gea at 35 as the „solution“ in goal

While some were climbing for the title, the transfer market ran like every summer. Juventus, if it fails to land Martínez, is thinking about David de Gea - the former Manchester United keeper who at 35, at Fiorentina, recorded ten clean sheets in 37 appearances and stats better than last season. Experienced, a leader, still solid. But this is the same trap the „Old Lady“ falls into year after year - chasing a name instead of a future. Europe is full of young keepers waiting for a chance. The question isn't whether De Gea still knows how to keep goal. The question is why a club with ambitions keeps reaching for a career that's ending instead of a career that's beginning.

Trump at the centre of the final - and once again not for football

At the trophy ceremony, instead of the Spanish heroes, the centre of attention was Donald Trump. The American president refused to step off the podium while the players lifted the title, the crowd booed him, and Rodri and FIFA president Gianni Infantino tried to move him off the stage. A scene that has nothing to do with football, but that soaked up all the attention that belonged to the champions. When the organiser of the biggest sporting event on the planet stands where the player who gave everything should stand - whose service is he actually in?

A celebration that ended in tragedy - and the question no one is asking

Joy in Spain turned into mourning. During the celebration after the title, a fountain collapsed where fans were celebrating, and a thirteen-year-old boy lost his life. A child went out to celebrate the greatest football night of his country and never came home. The crowds through the cities and the climbing on monuments and fountains not built for such a thing - that is not a misfortune that „simply happened“. When thousands pour onto the streets, someone has to answer for where and how it's celebrated. The title remains. This boy - does not.