And then there was 1 — one more 1st for Lionel Messi, after all the Champions League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Copa América and Ballon d’Or titles, and after the dribbles, tackles, free kicks and set pieces over 1,003 matches, 350 assists and 793 goals — scored every 112 minutes. But, perhaps, the most significant moment for the Argentina captain was his last goal to date – a penalty kick past France captain Hugo Lloris in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It paved the way for a 4-2 win on penalties, after a nail-biting 3-3 stalemate in which Messi scored twice and made one of the key passes for the third. The world wanted it for Messi. Perhaps, the beautiful game owed it to him. And when the fairy tale unfolded, he sealed it with a kiss.
They’ve fought each other on the court for over 15 years, their rivalry unparalleled in tennis, and sport itself. Both have supporters who would want the other to win, if not ‘their man’. But when the moment came for Roger Federer, arguably the greatest, to retire after the Laver Cup in September, both he and Rafael Nadal were' in tears. The tribute couldn’t have been more poignant. “A part of me leaves with him,” he said in what’s now one of the most iconic moments in tennis history.
Neeraj Chopra has made making history a habit. If the Tokyo Olympics gold in 2021 in javelin was the cake, the 24-year-old added the icing to it with a silver medal in the World Championships at Oregon, US this year. And, the cherry on top? That came with a personal best throw of 89.94 metres at the Diamond League in Stockholm, Sweden in June.
If 2022 will be remembered for Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen winning his second consecutive Formula One world title, it will also be known as the year when former seven-time winner Lewis Hamilton did not win a single race with his McLaren. The duo colliding in Sao Paulo, during the Brazilian Grand Prix (GP) — even if it was a dead rubber — meant sparks did fly. And, then there was the usual F1 drama. Also in Brazil, Verstappen didn’t let teammate Sergio Perez overtake him, against team orders, for crucial extra points that could have given the latter a chance to finish second for a 1-2 finish for the Red Bull drivers for the season.
The Commonwealth of Medals
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