The Weight of Expectation: Messi's Tears Speak Volumes Lionel Messi, Argentina's mercurial genius, stood on the precipice of greatness once more, only to be denied by a superior Spanish side in the World Cup final.
As he fought back tears and acknowledged Spain's dominance, it was clear that Messi had shouldered an unbearable weight of expectation.
The crowd at MetLife Stadium, where 80,663 fans overwhelmingly rooted for a recoronation of Messi as two time champion, seemed almost cruel in its fervor.