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szdaily -> World -> 
World Cup of surprises unites the world
    2022-12-20  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

EVEN before the FIFA World Cup trophy was decided Sunday, Qatar 2022 was already a tournament of triumphs.

It marked the first time that football’s flagship event has been held in the Middle East and the first time that an African or Arab team made it to the semifinals. It was a World Cup were legends departed and new ones were born.

It was a tournament of surprises: in which the mighty fell and some of the lesser-fancied teams proved that - with skill, determination and plenty of heart — dreams can come true. Perhaps most of all, this World Cup will be remembered for bringing together the world in a spirit of harmony and respect, a reminder of sport’s transcending qualities.

In addition to being the first World Cup held in an Arab country this was the first time that all eight host cities were located within 100km of one another. This allowed people from different cultures to interact like never before while facilitating travel for teams, fans, officials and media.

The success of the tournament helped deliver record revenue of US$7.5 billion from commercial deals over the four-year World Cup cycle, US$1 billion more than budgeted.

The figure for the 2022-26 cycle is expected to reach US$11 billion, of which US$9.7 billion has been earmarked for football investment.

This has allowed the FIFA Council to approve the allocation of US$200 million over the next four years for the Arsene Wenger-led Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The initiative aims to create a sustainable legacy for long-term player development by helping each member association (MA) reach its full potential, FIFA said.

Perhaps more than anything, this World Cup will be remembered as one of major surprises. One in which traditional powerhouses such as Germany, Spain and Brazil, failed to meet their high expectations while others exceeded them.

Qatar 2022 also represented the last hurrah for some of the greatest players the game has seen. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric all played in what is certain to be their final World Cup tournaments.

This year's World Cup was, in the 35-year-old Messi’s own words, a last chance to win international football's most coveted prize.

This was his fifth World Cup, having first appeared on the grandest stage at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

Now is the time to reflect on the brilliance of Messi and the collective accomplishment of Lionel Scaloni's men in Qatar.

Messi was much more than just the captain of the Albiceleste side that secured Argentina's third World Cup trophy and first in 36 years.

He carried the team on his own shoulders for much of the tournament and scored twice in the final to finish the campaign with seven goals and three assists, a performance comparable to that of Maradona in 1986.

He was recognized for his astonishing exploits by winning the Golden Ball, awarded to the World Cup's best player. It was nothing less than he deserved.

Argentina are champions of the world and Messi finally has the trophy he has so desperately craved.

(Xinhua)

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