I have always been on the Ronaldo side of the, ‘Messi vs. Ronaldo’ debate, but after this World Cup my mind has reluctantly changed. Lionel Messi’s stratospheric performance in this World Cup has changed my mind, and has also provided for some of the best entertainment of the year. The United States played well, and we have a great young team poised to compete at home in the next World Cup, but this wasn’t about them.

I want to start at the beginning, with how none of this should have ever happened. Qatar should have never hosted this tournament, FIFA is the second most corrupt organization behind the American Republican Party, and despite that soccer prevailed. Qatar paid off three members of FIFA a million dollars each to get the World Cup, and even in their proposal deceived the organization with fraudulent cooling technology proposals and slave labor to build the stadiums. But enough about Qatar, this is the World Cup.

The highlight game before the final was Argentina vs Netherlands in the quarter-finals. It was a war. Fourteen yellow cards and a relentless comeback by the Dutch, excellent tactical changes by the manager Van Gaal to put them into position to push wave after wave of attacks to their towering striker subs that culminated in a goal to even the score in the eleventh minute of stoppage time. I was rooting for the Netherlands, and though they lost on penalties, I would have been satisfied with this World Cup after this match.

Back to Qatar, despite making a deal with FIFA and sponsors to serve alcohol, they went back on the deal at the last minute. Then, the reports started coming out about the dress codes for the stadiums, with many being stopped by security for their clothing choice. Dear Qatar, you welcomed the world to your country, you didn’t have to show us that you still are an archaic society that openly oppresses women and LGBTQ individuals. However, since you did, I hope your sandcastle falls into the ocean.

The World Cup final was one of the best matches I have seen in my lifetime. It’s up there with the Liverpool comeback against Milan in the Champions League final in 2005. It’s up there with watching the Netherlands in the final against Spain in 2010, which I watched on a beach in the Netherlands. This was everything that a fan of the sport could hope for, and for evangelists of the game, this is one to point to for non-believers.

Everyone got to see Messi put the final feather in his godlike cap, and the future of the game Mbappe score a hat trick. This final started out looking like a rout by Argentina, but as if to show how exciting this game can be, two quick French goals in the second half extended it. After trading goals in extra time and Argentina prevailing on penalties this was a thriller. Catch your breath world, the United States Women’s National Team will see you in seven months.