Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend

Starts off kinda slow...but it gets back on track almost immediately...and as soon as it's on track...it's unstoppable...

the pacing is good...the one on one interviews were great well done engaging and just very well suited...

the choice to include journalists and reporters is quite frankly ingenious...it makes the show...their input feels more like commentary than interviews...it's fantastic...

i remember watching the Real Madrid champions league documentary...and thinking it probably came too soon...with this it didn't feel the same...i was glued to the screen the whole time...i enjoyed every bit of it...yes i can still remember every game every goal...so there's nothing novel really...but it's still a great watch...i don't know if the writing or production is superior...probably suggests so...

it really draws you in...not too preachy...it can be enjoyed by both Football fans and non fans also known as Americans...it's for everyone...

great watch.

I loved every second of the documentary Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend. Messi is an absolute legend. I remember watching these games in 2022 so it's very very interesting to know what was going on behind the scenes, what the players were thinking and feeling, and other things. In the 2006 World Cup, he was just hoping he would get to play. Now he's the most decorated player in the history of the game.

This documentary follows Lionel Messi through the World Cup of 2022. The documentary shows his journey from when he was young to current time. It touches on his time at Barcelona, his previous World Cups, the challenges he had to overcome, his hopes and dreams for the 2022 World Cup, and finally the World Cup itself from the group stages all the way through the finals and how he feels and what he's thinking in between and throughout. The documentary does this across four episodes ranging from 44 minutes to 49 minutes in length titled "The Last Cup," "We Can Dream Again," "The Weight of a Nation," and "Redemption."

This is a feel-good documentary as we observe an inspiring man getting to accomplish his biggest dream. There's a wonderful beauty to that and this documentary is a beautiful depiction of it. Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend is really very well-made. It offers an intimate view into Lionel Messi's life. He speaks of Diego Maradonna, his soccer hero. Messi tells us that when he doesn't do well, he's very self-critical and explains how he feels guilty. The documentary includes interviews with Messi's teammates, his first coach and Argentina's coach, Lionel Sebastián Scaloni. It delves into what happened after the Saudi Arabia loss - 36 matches undefeated ended in the opening match. The Saudi Arabia win against Argentina came as one of the World Cup's greatest shocks. Roger Bennett says, "watching Lionel Messi walk off the field... It was agony. At this moment, he looked defeated." Everybody started attacking Messi after the World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia, saying he was overhyped and similar things. The documentary excels at comparing that incident to when Messi quit Argentina in 2016. When Messi did quit, everyone suddenly freaked out. People begged him to stay, to change his mind, there were even hashtags such as #LioDon'tLeave. Enzo Fernandez was 15 at the time and wrote a letter to Messi that ended up going viral. Six years later, Messi reverted his decision and Fernandez played alongside him in the World Cup. They won it together. The documentary is full of heart touching anecdotes like this. I truly had a smile on my face the entire time I watched it. I love seeing how Messi and his teammates celebrate after a goal - all smiles and jumping on each other. It's heartwarming how happy they look and how they support one another. Watching the team hang out together makes me smile as they sing, dance, chant, play card games and celebrate! This is all Messi's story. Throughout the documentary, you can tell he truly loves his children, his wife, his sport, his country, his team and his life. What a legend! Like Messi or not, you cannot deny that he is one of the greatest players of all time. This documentary helps us understand him, his journey, and his story. You can't say you're a soccer fan and not know the story of one of the greatest players the world has ever seen. Messi's teammates say that they all grew up watching him play. Emiliano Martínez says "We feel that we have to defend our hero." Fernandez says "The team always had the sense of wanting to win it for Leo." It felt like all of Argentina was watching, saying "We need to win because it's Messi's last one." This is an absolutely amazing documentary. I wish it had included interviews with the French team in the fourth episode, which would have given us a very interesting perspective. Argentina would have lost to France, 3-4, if not for Martínez's brilliant last-minute save.

The film's message is that you can't do it alone. The World Cup final is one of the best and most interesting matches I've ever seen. It was Messi's World Cup. But it was also Martínez's world cup. And Fernandez's world cup. Alvarez, Di Maria, De Paul, Scaloni, every other person on that team. It was Argentina's World Cup. Messi could never have done it without them. The documentary ends with Messi saying "I'm just a kid from Rosario who loves to play ball." That makes the documentary all the more inspiring. Messi says "If something is meant to happen to you, it will happen." That's another one of the messages. Messi worked really really hard. This documentary shows that truly anyone can do it. Work hard enough, and you can achieve all your dreams. Don't give up. That's 100% true. But by Messi saying that, he acknowledges there's an aspect of luck to it as well.

I give Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults, but this is truly a must-watch for all fans of the sport. You can watch this documentary starting February 21, 2024 on AppleTV+. By Alma K., KIDS FIRST!

A great way to relive a month or two in your life which were all about this beautiful game. And I am not from Argentina.

Great piece of art to repaint some of the greatest moments in any sports in history, let alone football. The documentary could have been longer, but then they wanted to be crisp and had so much to include.

Well edited. Imagine all these amazing shots going to waste had Argentina not won the World Cup. It would have been France's story and we would have lost the twist of Saudi's game and the Netherlands one. The goal against Mexico, the moment would have been lost forever.

And it also captures the genius of Dibu.

"Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend" is a breathtaking testament to the indomitable spirit of football as embodied by Lionel Messi. Through meticulously crafted visuals and immersive storytelling, the documentary unveils the intricate tapestry of Messi's journey through the World Cup, capturing the essence of his triumphs and tribulations on the field. It transcends the boundaries of sport, offering a profound exploration of the human experience through the lens of athletic excellence. With each scene, viewers are drawn deeper into the drama and emotion of Messi's quest, gaining a newfound appreciation for the dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering passion that fuel his extraordinary talent. This cinematic masterpiece earns a resounding 5/5 rating, not only for its technical brilliance but also for its profound insight into the transformative power of sport in shaping lives and inspiring generations.

"Lionel Messi has conquered his final peak. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. The little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe, has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own. He has his crowning moment and, of course, he is not alone.

He was beautiful. He was the point of difference. He has always been the point of difference. Unparalleled, and maybe today there will, of course, always be those who argue, always be those who debate. And the debate could rage on if you like.

But as he falls in love with the object in the world that his heart most desired, it is hard to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today, the greatest of all time."