FALSE 10b: Dear Leo, I've never liked you...

People say that honesty is the foundation of every good relationship. So, here it is:

Dear Leo, I've never liked you.

I'm not sure why. I just don't think our personalities clicked. From your wonderkid days, I've cheered against you, against Barcelona, against Argentina.

And for years, I've been satisfied.

FALSE 10a: Sorry seems to be the hardest word, but Spain should hear it from me

While your accomplishments with the Catalans seemed inevitable, I was pleased with any Argentina setback. And there were plenty of them, you have to admit it.

I remember the 2014 World Cup final. I cheered for Germany, as if I were born in Berlin or Munich. Mario Gotze became my hero when he shocked you in extra time. I was happy to see you empty-handed once again.

For years, your name was an inevitable part of the GOAT debate, but I just couldn't stomach it. I'm too young to have been able to watch Pele, Diego Armando Maradona, and other football icons.

But whenever your compatriots claimed you were better than Diego, I thought they were seriously exaggerating. I was convinced they cherished you more because you were impeccable off the pitch, unlike the late Maradona.

Alternate football history: What if Lionel Messi wore Spanish jersey tonight?

"Diego wasn't some untouchable figure. He had a soul. He was flesh and blood, with all his flaws and virtues, just like anyone else," I thought to myself. "Messi is like an actor. He keeps his emotions hidden, and who knows what lies beneath that calm, quiet exterior."

Every time you got into one of those rare arguments with a referee, an opponent, or a teammate, it felt like proof that my theory was right.

Now, I realize none of it mattered. I just desperately kept searching for reasons to justify why I couldn't admire you when everyone else seemed to.

Messi's return to MetLife Stadium: Time to make history and face ghosts of the past

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a passionate supporter of the other side (Cristiano Ronaldo) either, but I found him far more likeable than you.

By the 2022 FIFA World Cup, I thought you'd never win it. I considered you an eternal loser without a winning mentality. Little did I know the tide had already turned after the 2021 Copa America.

I cheered for Saudi Arabia - I was so thrilled when they stunned you in the opener! - Mexico, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France. But in vain...

I hoped you'd finally break in the penalty shootouts against the Oranje and Les Bleus, but you proved to be unbreakable, though, in my mind, I had a perfect explanation for your triumph - slight referees' help and a huge amount of luck.

FALSE 10: Sorry, who's playing?

Nothing changed at this World Cup either. I was deeply frustrated with some decisions that went in your favour, though I was one of the rare ones who thought you didn't deserve to be sent off against Algeria.

Until your semi-final win over England, I hoped someone would knock you out, but then, I experienced a sudden and inexplicable change of heart.

I read your statement following the 2016 Copa America defeat to Chile, when you decided to retire. Something inside me snapped...

All of a sudden, I finally admitted to myself that what you were doing simply wasn't normal. For anyone, let alone a 39-year-old man. The way your teammates protected and stood by you fascinated me. They were like your bodyguards and seemed ready to die for you if necessary.

I started this article with honesty, and that's how I intend to finish it.

Dear Leo, I was wrong.

You are the GOAT, and you deserve to clinch another World Cup. Just to be clear, I still don't like you all that much, but I won't mind seeing you lift the trophy tonight.

I'm still closer to rooting for Spain, but on some strange, subconscious level, part of me actually wants you to win.

Hats off to you, Lionel Messi. After 20 years, you've finally broken down the wall I'd built around my opinion of you. You truly are a magician.

By: LAZAR ANDJELKOVIC

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

Third-place match

France - England 4-6 (0-4)

/Mbappe 48, 66, Barcola 54, Dembele 90+6 - Rice 3, Konsa 18, Saka 37, 45+1, 87 pen, Bellingham 90+8/

Final

22.00: (2.35) Spain (3.00) Argentina (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***