Where would Argentina be without Lionel Messi? Most likely buckled into economy seats on a long flight back to Buenos Aires, watching someone else’s captain prepare to lift the World Cup trophy. Instead, the most coveted prize in football remains in Argentine hands, and the reason is the same as it has been for nearly two decades: Messi keeps refusing to let go.

The argument over the greatest of all time will never be settled to everyone’s satisfaction. Pelé, Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo all command their own loyal constituencies. Yet this World Cup has tilted the scales again, showcasing a 39-year-old Messi who still bends tournaments, and opponents, to his will.

Ask Egypt. Ten minutes from a seismic upset, 2-0 up and inspired by Mohamed Salah, they had Argentina on the brink. Messi had already missed a first-half penalty and drifted through much of the match. Then, as if flicking a hidden switch, he created one goal for Cristian Romero and scored another himself, his eighth of the tournament, dragging his team level and ultimately through.

It was not an isolated escape act. Messi has now scored in nine consecutive World Cup games, extending his record tally to 21 goals, two clear of Kylian Mbappé. Argentina’s campaign has become a running answer to a simple question: how far can one genius carry a flawed side?

Because for all Messi’s brilliance, doubts cling to the team around him. Argentina have benefited from a forgiving path: group opponents outside the global elite, knockout ties against African sides ranked below the traditional powers, and a quarterfinal against Switzerland rather than a heavyweight. The true examination, many suspect, will only arrive in a semifinal or final against the likes of France, Spain or England.

Defensively, Argentina have wobbled, conceding freely against modest opposition. In attack, the supposed heirs have not yet seized the stage. Lautaro Martínez’s prolific club form has not translated into a torrent of international goals. Julián Álvarez, so highly valued in the transfer market, has laboured through a lean scoring spell.

So the country turns, again, to Messi. He remains capable of conjuring miracles, but even miracles have a shelf life. At some point, Argentina will need a Plan B. Until then, their fate is tied to the left foot that has already rewritten so much football history, and is still, somehow, writing more.