(Image source from: Is Modi and Messi comparable?})
The 2014 World Cup fever peaked on the final match between Germany Vs Argentina. The outcome was Argentina's defeat by 1-0 score in extra time. The match was rated the best world cup held in recent memory.
Argentina's world cup hope was on its football star Lionel Messi. The entire country expected miracles from Messi. And why should his fans not pin their hope on him. Afterall, Messi had seen to it that his country plays the final match. He had played a pivotal role when it mattered the most, helping Di Maria score at the 118th minute by dribbling the ball and passing it to him in the Argentina v Switzerland match.
However, on Sunday a lone goal was scored by Mario Götze which ensured the Germany's victory at the World Cup.
Messi's situation is somewhat akin to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although comparisons are not right as the two heroes function in totally different spheres. But even at the point of sounding preposterous a lot of similarities can be drawn between Lionel Messi and Narendra Modi.
Both Modi and Messi are leaders in their respective fields and have won the hearts of millions. They are captains of their respective sides and have deservedly earned the respect of their colleagues and teammates.
Messi is a great footballer and has shown to the world that he was born to play excellent football. Similarly, Modi proved his mettle as a politician in Gujarat. He showed to his countrymen that he is an exceptional politician. Messi showed his genius at league football, while Modi's 'Gujarat model' of development raised the expectations from both of them to dizzying height. So much so that Both of them are expected to win everytime and that too with brilliance.
Since Messi situation during the World Cup appears similar to Mr Modi. Probably the Indian PM could take home some lessons from Messi.
Messi came to play in Brazil for Argentina shouldering the hopes of the whole nation. The whole country saw in him a hero who could bring home the cup after Diego Maradona. Similar was the case of Narendra Modi, who brought back the BJP to power at the centre after a decade.
People in India voted Modi to power with a massive mandate with the hope that he would turn around the fortune of the nation. Mr Modi is seen as a Prime Minister like never before. While the BJP's victory in the last general election is partly due to poor performance by the previous government. But, the majority of voters have a deep faith in Modi and his ability to magically turn around the country's fortunes.
Modi should also take another lesson from Messi's situation in the World Cup. Many fans have blamed Messi for Argentina's defeat in the world cup. Strong views against Messi has been circulating in social media, where he's being termed as 'selfish'. Messi winning the Golden Ball has added salt to the fan's injury, who vented their displeasure with posts like 'Messi won while Argentina lost'.
Mr Modi had promised the moon to the people during the election campaigns. So now with problems like a bad monsoon, the West Asia crisis and global economic issues, Mr Modi may find himself in a sticky situation. These problems are beyond his control. But if he fails to deliver then people will blame him, just like Messi is being made the scapegoat for Argentina's defeat.
The pedestal where people have raised Modi and Messi is a happy place, but it also has its challenges. They themselves raised the bar and now they have to live up to it.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
