Similarities between Lionel Messi and Virat Kohli's latest World Cup wins

There are some similarities between Virat Kohli and Lionel Messi's path to their latest glory. Virat won the T20 World Cup 2024 and completed cricket. In 2022, Messi won the FIFA World Cup and completed his dream. But their journey to glory and the difficulties they had to endure in the period were similar and the payback was worth it.

Lionel Messi played his first ever World Cup in 2010. It was not a great tournament for Argentina. But a young Messi showed sparks as a player. Similarly, Virat played his first-ever T20 World Cup in 2012, which was not great for India. However, he made a mark as a player individually. What followed was a brilliant tournament for them individually.

In 2014, Argentina made it to the final. They lost the match in the extra time. Messi won the Golden Ball but could not win the trophy. He collected the award with disappointment. Similarly, India entered the final but lost the T20 World Cup in 2014. Virat Kohli won the Player of the Tournament award and collected it with disappointment.

From setback to eventual glory

Virat additionally won the Player of the Tournament in 2016 despite India not winning the tournament. In 2018, Messi's Argentina was knocked out of the group stage under his captaincy. Similarly, India was knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2021 in the group stage under the captaincy of Kohli. Time was running out for both the legends to win the cup.

The golden opportunity arrived for the Argentine in 2022. He made the most of it by winning his maiden World Cup at the age of 35. He won the Player of the Match award in the final. Virat's glory moment came in 2024. Despite not being at his best, he played well in the final and helped India to win the WC. Just like Messi, the star batter won the cup at the age of 35 and won the Player of the Match award in the final.