For high-income taxpayers, buyback proceeds may now be taxed at slab rates up to 35.88%, despite the fact that the shareholder is surrendering and extinguishing their rights in the shares. (AI image)

When the Finance Act, 2024 rewired the tax treatment of share buybacks, it upended a long-standing system that had—with all its imperfections—at least been predictable. Starting Oct 1, 2024, the burden of tax shifted decisively from the company to the shareholder.What appeared to be a simplification has instead triggered a chorus of concerns from tax experts, industry bodies, and investors—who warn that the new regime taxes notional income, creates economic distortions, and deviates from global best practice.In 2025, some listed companies did undertake the buyback route, notable being Infosys, Bajaj Consumer Care, Tracxn Technologies, SIS, Infobeans Technologies, Dhampur Sugar Mills.From Capital Gains to Dividend Tax: A Radical ShiftUnder the earlier system, listed companies undertaking buybacks paid buyback tax under section 115QA, while shareholders received proceeds tax-free.The 2024 amendment scrapped this and introduced a two-part mechanism for taxing shareholders:

For high-income taxpayers, buyback proceeds may now be taxed at slab rates up to 35.88%, despite the fact that the shareholder is surrendering and extinguishing their rights in the shares. That, experts argue, is the very definition of a capital transaction—not dividend income.The capital loss would be treated as long-term or short-term depending on the duration of holding of the shares before buy back. Listed shares that are held for more than a year (two years for unlisted shares) are treated as a long-term asset, with a tax rate of 12.5%. If in a subsequent sale in the open market of the remaining shares held by the investor or any other assets, the shareholder incurs a long-term capital gain, then the capital loss on buy-back can be set off. The impact is that the buy-back proceeds are at first taxed as dividend as per the slab rate (which for many investors will be higher than the long-term capital gains tax rate). Secondly, on sale of the assets, the loss (on buy-back) would be available for set off only against capital gains, which are taxable at a lower rate. Furthermore, if such loss has to be carried forward to future year/s, the return of income for the year of loss has to be filed on time; else, such loss is forfeited.Tax implications in the hands of a shareholder:

The Real-World Impact: A Tax Trap for InvestorsThe circularity becomes clearer when seen numerically. Under the new regime:

Which means taxpayers pay high tax today and receive relief only later—and only if they have gains to offset. Countries such as Australia and the UK tax buybacks as dividends only to the extent of the income component embedded in the buyback price.The Anomaly: Taxing Capital as IncomeA buyback is not always funded by accumulated profits. Companies may buy back shares using:

In the latter two cases, there is no distribution of profits at all. Yet, the entire payout is treated as dividend income in the shareholder’s hands. As Ravikant Kamath, partner at EY-India points out, this results in artificial taxation of a capital receipt.He illustrates: A loss-making company using its share premium to carry out a buyback at Rs. 20 each, against a face value of Rs. 100 each, it triggers dividend taxation—even where the shareholder suffers an economic loss.In the light of the upcoming Budget 2026, Ravikanth Kamath, recommends various alternative mechanisms that can be introduced for taxing buyback of shares.1. Restore capital gains treatment under section 46ATax should be levied only on the difference between buyback price and cost of acquisition, as originally designed since 1999. There are sufficient guardrails in both Companies Act and Income tax Act to prevent abuse of disguised dividends.2. Do not tax buybacks funded out of share premium or fresh issue proceedsThese are capital transactions, not profit distributions.3. For buybacks out of retained earnings, split taxation appropriately where only the amount representing accumulated profit is treated as dividend.

Venezuela is producing approximately 900,000 barrels per day (kbd) of crude oil and condensate, which makes up about 1% of the global oil supply. (AI image)

US President Donald Trump’s latest escalation in tensions and blockade of Venezuela oil tankers may have little impact on the global crude oil market, believes global real-time data and analytics provider Kpler. “The move has so far failed to provide a meaningful boost to oil prices or to overturn underlying fundamentals, largely because the market is two-tiered and even the sanctioned segment remains crowded,” says Kpler in its latest report.In 2025, Venezuela is producing approximately 900,000 barrels per day (kbd) of crude oil and condensate, which makes up about 1% of the global oil supply. Of the 765,000 barrels per day that Venezuela exports, around 76% is sent to China, specifically to independent refiners known as teapot refiners. This is because state-owned companies are avoiding these shipments due to concerns over sanctions. The United States has received about 17% of Venezuela’s exports this year, a decrease from 35% in 2024, following changes to Chevron’s license. The rest of the exports are sent to Cuba and a few other countries like Spain and Italy under previous agreements.

Trump Move On Venezuela Oil

On Tuesday, Trump announced a “blockade” on all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. This move is part of America’s ongoing efforts to increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s government by targeting its primary revenue source.Details on how Trump plans to enforce this blockade on the sanctioned vessels remain unclear. It is also uncertain whether he will deploy the Coast Guard to intercept these ships. The Trump administration has already positioned thousands of troops and nearly a dozen warships, including an aircraft carrier, in the region.Trump said on Truth Social, “For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”

Venezuela crude exports by destination

What Does It Mean For Global Crude Oil Market?

The increased US pressure on Venezuela might have added some geopolitical risk to Brent crude prices. However, this is unlikely to significantly change overall market sentiment, says Kpler. The reason is simple: disruptions to Venezuelan supply impact only a small group of buyers, and the global market is well-supplied to handle any potential shortages from US actions.Trump’s statement about blocking “all sanctioned oil tankers” suggests that shipments considered legitimate, such as those going to the US under Chevron’s license, might continue without disruption. This indicates that Venezuelan oil supplies to sanctioned markets could face interruptions, while shipments to the US would likely remain unaffected, points out Kpler. However, cargoes headed to China and Cuba could be hit. According to data from Kpler, Cuba imports about 28,000 barrels per day of crude oil in 2025, with roughly 35% coming from Venezuela. Most of the rest is supplied by Mexico, with Russia and Algeria each providing one shipment.If Venezuela’s supply becomes unreliable, Cuba might see immediate challenges. However, with the availability of Russian oil—despite recent US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil—Cuba could potentially look to Russia to make up for any shortfall.

Venezuelan Merey differentials against ICE Brent in China

Chinese teapot refiners are likely to feel the effects of any oil blockade due to their reliance on Venezuelan crude. However, the impact of shipment disruptions is expected to be lessened by the high volumes of Venezuelan oil currently in transit and the ample supply from Iran, Russia, and other non-sanctioned producers, says Kpler.Market sources quoted in the Kpler report indicate that prompt Venezuelan Merey cargoes are trading at about $15 below ICE Brent on a delivered China basis, even after the US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker last week. Sellers have attempted to raise prices to around $13 below ICE Brent, but the abundant Iranian supply and a sharp drop in Russian oil prices in China have kept Venezuelan prices from rising.Many Iranian heavy cargoes, such as Pars (around $12.5 below ICE Brent) and Iran Heavy (around $11.5 below ICE Brent), remain unsold, which is likely to limit any increase in Venezuelan prices in China. Both the sanctioned and non-sanctioned oil markets are experiencing a significant supply surplus, with buyers becoming less sensitive to geopolitical developments.According to Kpler data, the floating storage of Iranian, Venezuelan, and Russian crude oil has reached a combined 74 million barrels this week, the highest level since November 2022.

In a shocking turn of events, actress Nidhhi Agerwal encountered a harrowing mobbing experience following a song launch in Hyderabad, with footage circulating online depicting her fight to navigate through the throngs of fans. This unsettling incident has ignited a firestorm of criticism across social media platforms.

Videos of actress Nidhhi Agerwal getting mobbed and manhandled by fans after she exited a song launch event of ‘The Raja Saab’ in Hyderabad went quickly viral on the internet. Netizens slammed the behavior of the crowd and called the visuals ‘disturbing’. The actress managed to reach her car somehow and looked absolutely furious after getting inside it. Now, are you one of those who wants to know more about the actress? Then you come to the right page.

About Nidhhi Agerwal

According to the reports, Nidhhi Agerwal was born into a Hindi-speaking Marwari family in Hyderabad. She was brought up in Bengaluru. The actress can speak Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi. After participating in a beauty contest (2014), she marked her debut in movies with ‘Munna Michael’ opposite Tiger Shroff in Bollywood (2017).

She entered Telugu cinema with Naga Chaitanya’s ‘Savyasachi’ in 2018. She made her Tamil debut opposite Silambarasan TR in ‘Eeswaran’ in 2021.You will be surprised to know that her fans have built a temple of her in Tamil Nadu.

More about ‘The Raja Saab’ incident

After attending the launch event of the song ‘Sahana Sahana’ from the film ‘The Raja Saab’, Nidhhi Agerwal made her exit from the venue. While leaving the Lulu mall in Hyderabad, the actress was mobbed by the crowd, and she couldn’t move towards her car. Agerwal looked frustrated, and as soon as she reached the vehicle, she let her anger out, which was visible in the videos. She or the film team has not issued any statements on the incident as of now.

Nidhhi Agerwal’s projects

Nidhhi Agerwal has worked in movies like ‘Mr. Majnu’, ‘Hero’, ‘Kalaga Thalaivan’, and ‘iSmart Shankar’. She recently featured in Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’. It was released in theaters in July this year. Next, she will star in Prabhas‘ ‘The Raja Saab’. The cast of the movie also includes Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar, apart from Prabhas and Nidhhi Agerwal.Meanwhile, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirakani, Vennela Kishore, Brahmanandam, VTV Ganesh, Satya, Prabhas Sreenu, and Yogi Babu are in supporting roles.Directed by Maruthi, the film has been scheduled to hit theaters on January 9, 2025.

Mumbai: Around 400 families from the upscale Breach Candy neighbourhood in south Mumbai participated in a residents’ survey conducted by the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF), a local citizens’ group, ahead of the upcoming BMC election.The survey, titled ‘BMC Report Card: Choosing the Best Corporator for Breach Candy’, was meant for local residents to share honest and constructive feedback on the state of their locality and the overall functioning of Bhulabhai Desai Road. The survey findings, which are out now, revealed a clear preference for a corporator from within the locality, someone they refer to as “one of them”.The questions were structured across nine main civic categories, each with defined sub-categories. Each category and sub-category was rated on a scale of 0-5, where 5 represents the highest level of performance. In addition to numerical ratings, respondents were encouraged to share qualitative feedback through an open comments section. A separate question on future civic participation generated multiple suggestions and ideas from residents.Vistasp Mehta, an architect and member of BCRF, said, “This poll has given us a clear mandate for a local resident corporator. Residents feel a corporator chosen from our locality would identify problems as soon as they arise, not months later. They would face the same daily challenges as we do and understand the ground reality far better. Promises made during campaign periods are rarely fulfilled.”Devika Mistry, another member of BCRF, said that the resident poll reflects our community’s commitment to Breach Candy’s upkeep and safety. “Our appeal is for integrated management — through a local coordinator — that not only benefits our neighbourhood but enhances the efficiency of the entire ward.”The survey also flagged the demand for a Nepean Sea Road exit from the Mumbai Coastal Road southbound section as the single-most important issue for Breach Candy residents. Nigum Lakhani, a member of BCRF who lives near the Breach Candy entry-exit of the Coastal Road, said, “NSR exit has emerged as the single-most important demand of Breach Candy residents. It will help solve the issue of congestion on our road and allow vehicles headed to Nepean Sea Road to exit right there. We collected all relevant documents and have been knocking on multiple doors, yet the authorities in power and position have refused to help us take it forward.”The last corporator from the locality was Sarita Patil of the BJP.

HYDERABAD: As investigations deepens into the deadly Bondi beach attack in Sydney, Telangana Police and intelligence agencies have pieced together a detailed timeline of visits made to India by shooter Sajid Akram, concluding that his trips to Hyderabad over the years were personal in nature and largely centred on family and property matters.Officials from the intelligence wing said Sajid, an Indian passport holder who migrated to Australia in 1998, visited Hyderabad six times over more than two decades. His first return was in 2001, when he brought his Australian wife of Italian descent, Venera Grosso, to introduce her to his parents. The couple also performed a traditional nikah during that visit.

Sajid came again in 2004 to introduce his son Naveed to the extended family. When his father died in 2009, he could not attend the funeral but arrived in Hyderabad about a month later to meet relatives, police said.

Subsequent visits in 2012 and 2016 were linked to property matters. During these trips, Sajid explored buyers for ancestral land and a house near Shalibanda and later signed agreements to dispose of the property, accompanied on one occasion by his son. His last visit was in 2022, when he stayed for about two weeks at his family home in Al Hasnath Colony, Toli Chowki. A senior officer said Sajid largely remained indoors during that stay, spending time with close family members.Telangana police said they scrutinised these visits to establish whether there was any suspicious activity or overseas linkage. “Our verification shows the visits were short and personal. There is no evidence to suggest he travelled to Pakistan or met anyone outside his immediate family,” an intelligence official said, adding that Sajid was not on the radar of Indian security agencies.“His visits were short. Each time he stayed for about a week or 10 days. In 2022, he stayed for a fortnight at Al Hasnath Colony. He remained in the house and spent time mostly with his mother and sister,” said a senior police official.Police also said Sajid had been trying unsuccessfully to obtain Australian citizenship for several years and last renewed his Indian passport in 2022. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had examined Naveed in 2019 over suspected links to a local Islamic State cell in Sydney but later cleared him as not an imminent threat, officials noted.Members of the Indian community in Australia distanced themselves from the accused. Leaders of community organisations said Sajid and Naveed were not known within established associations and appeared to live in isolation.Speaking to TOI from Sydney, Muhammad Arshad Khan, chairman of the Indian Muslim Association of Australia, said that despite being actively involved in the community for decades, he had never encountered the accused or their family.“I migrated here in Feb 1998 and have been part of the community since. But I had never heard of them [before the attack]. They are not even registered with us,” said Khan, adding, “Such people always live in isolation. We condemn this and stand with our fellow Australians.”On December 16, the Telangana police confirmed that Sajid was originally from Hyderabad and migrated to Australia 27 years ago.At the same time, several groups announced support initiatives for victims, including blood donation drives in coordination with Australian authorities.Telangana Police said there was no adverse record against Sajid during his time in India before he left for Australia and that preliminary findings suggest any radicalisation of the father-son duo occurred overseas. Further details, including their reported travel to the Philippines shortly before the attack, are being investigated by Australian agencies.

In a historic convergence of two global sporting cultures, the final leg of the Lionel Messi‘s “G.O.A.T. India Tour” concluded with a breathtaking finale in the national capital. The journey, which had already seen thousands of fans flock to Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, reached its emotional peak at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on December 15, 2025.

Amidst “Messi, Messi” chants that roared through the jam-packed stands, the legendary forward was greeted by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, marking a symbolic bridge between the worlds of football and cricket. Before bidding a final farewell to his Indian admirers, the Argentine icon spent time on the pitch interacting with young talents, participating in a football clinic, and sharing a lap of honor that left the Delhi crowd in a state of absolute euphoria.

Jay Shah’s special invitation to the Lionel Messi for T20 World Cup 2026 game

The highlight of the evening unfolded during a grand felicitation ceremony where Jay Shah presented the football icon with an unprecedented gift, the first official invitational ticket to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. In a move that surprised many, the invitation was not for a traditional blockbuster like India vs. Pakistan, but for the tournament’s high-profile opening fixture: India vs USA. Scheduled for February 7, 2026, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the choice of match perfectly aligns with Messi’s current professional chapter in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami.

Beyond the ticket, Shah honored the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with a framed cricket bat autographed by the Indian team and a customized Team India jersey featuring his signature No. 10. This rare crossover moment was designed to inspire millions of children across the subcontinent, showcasing a mutual respect between the leaders of the world’s most followed sports. As Shah later remarked on social media, the presence of a global titan like Messi at a flagship cricket event signals the sport’s growing ambition to engage audiences far beyond its traditional boundaries.

Also READ: GOAT India tour 2025: When Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni picked between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

A final farewell for Messi: Gratitude in Delhi and a spiritual stop in Jamnagar

Addressing the sea of blue and white jerseys at the “Kotla,” a visibly moved Messi expressed his deep gratitude for the “pure madness” and affection he experienced throughout the three-day whirlwind tour. Accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, who were also gifted customized Indian jerseys (No. 9 and No. 7, respectively), Messi promised the crowd that he would return to India someday, perhaps even to play a competitive match. However, the journey didn’t end immediately after the stadium lights dimmed; the trio took an unexpected final detour to Jamnagar, Gujarat.

At the personal invitation of Anant Ambani, they visited Vantara, the world-renowned wildlife rescue and conservation center. There, the footballing greats participated in traditional rituals, including a Maha Aarti, and engaged in an impromptu “football session” with a rescued elephant calf named Maniklal. This blend of high-octane sporting diplomacy in Delhi and a serene, spiritual conclusion in Gujarat ensured that the GOAT 2025 Tour remained an indelible chapter in Indian sporting history, leaving fans eagerly anticipating February 2026.

Also WATCH: Sachin Tendulkar and Lionel Messi exchange iconic memorabilia at Wankhede Stadium

Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya (iamge/X@jim_rydell)

NEW DELHI: A grand pre-birthday celebration was hosted in London for fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, with photos and videos from the high-profile party being widely shared on social media.The event was hosted by former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi ahead of Mallya’s 70th birthday, which falls on December 18. The celebration took place at Lalit Modi’s residence at 2 Belgrave Square, London.Sharing pictures from the evening on X, Lalit Modi wrote, “Thank you all for coming and celebrating my friend Vijay Mallya’s pre-birthday bash at my house.”Jim Rydell thanked Lalit Modi for hosting the party. “Thank you to Lalit Modi for hosting a fabulous pre 70th Birthday party in honor of Vijay Mallya last night at his beautiful London Home,” his post read.The photographs were shared by Jim Rydell, offering glimpses of the celebrations, including images of the invitation card, cupcakes, ongoing festivities and guests at the venue.Several high-profile personalities were seen attending the party, including fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla, film producer Biren Ghose and actor Idris Elba.The invitation card for the event read: “Rima & Lalit invite you to a glamorous evening in honour of their dear friend Vijay Mallya, celebrating the King of Good Times.” It mentioned that the party was held on Tuesday, December 16, from 7 pm onwards at 2 Belgrave Square, London.

Vijay Mallya, the former owner of now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, left India in 2016 and has since been living in the United Kingdom. He is facing multiple cases in India related to alleged financial irregularities and loan defaults amounting to several thousand crore rupees. Indian authorities have been seeking his extradition in connection with money laundering and fraud cases.Lalit Modi, who served as the first chairman of the IPL, has also been living abroad for several years. He is accused of financial misconduct and violations related to the IPL’s early years and left India in 2010 amid investigations by Indian agencies.

Sourav Ganguly & Lionel Messi (PTI)

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has taken legal action against Uttam Saha, the president of the Argentina Fan Club of Kolkata, by filing a defamation case seeking Rs 50 crore in damages. The move follows allegations made by Saha linking Ganguly to the controversy surrounding the chaotic Yuva Bharati Stadium event during Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata on Saturday, December 13. The complaint, lodged at Lalbazar, states that Saha’s public remarks were baseless and caused serious damage to Ganguly’s reputation. Ganguly has termed the accusations “false, malicious, offensive and defamatory”, alleging that they were made with full knowledge of the harm they could cause to his public image.

Currently serving as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Ganguly clarified in his complaint that he had no official role in organising or managing the Messi event. He maintained that his presence at the stadium was strictly as an invited guest and that he had no involvement in the planning or execution of the programme. The legal action adds a new dimension to the fallout from Messi’s much-hyped visit to Kolkata, which descended into disorder and sparked widespread criticism. Ganguly’s complaint specifically challenges claims made by Saha that he acted as a middleman in the management of the event, which was overseen by its main organiser, Satadru Dutta. “Serious allegations are being made publicly without any factual basis,” Ganguly stated in his filing. His legal representatives have since issued a notice to Saha, demanding a retraction of the statements and compensation for the alleged damage caused. Following the chaos at the venue, event organiser Satadru Dutta was detained for questioning by authorities. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later issued a public apology on X, expressing regret over the mismanagement of the event and apologising to Lionel Messi as well as football fans in Kolkata who were unable to see the Argentine star properly. During the event at Yuva Bharati Stadium, Ganguly was present in a separate area of the venue. As the situation in the stands deteriorated, he was seen exiting the stadium, visibly disappointed by the turn of events. The Messi programme was widely criticised for poor planning and crowd control, leaving fans frustrated after paying hefty ticket prices in anticipation of a memorable experience. Instead, scenes of disorder dominated coverage, drawing national and international attention to shortcomings in the organisation of high-profile sporting events in India. The incident also revived debates around VIP culture at major sports functions. Reports and videos highlighted limited fan interaction with Messi, while officials and invited guests occupied the field area, further fuelling anger among supporters and adding to the backlash surrounding the event.

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Trophy (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Today is December 18. For some, it is just another day on the way to Christmas and the New Year. For football fans, however, it is a date that will forever live in the sport’s collective memory as the night Lionel Messi completed the game.Under the bright lights of Lusail Stadium in Qatar three years back, Argentina defeated France in a final that felt less like a match and more like destiny unfolding in real time.

For Messi, it was not just a World Cup title; it was the closing chapter of a lifelong pursuit that had defined his career, his country, and an entire generation of football fans.For nearly two decades, Messi’s greatness had been measured against an absence.

A dream eluded for years

He had won everything at club level, from Champions League to multiple Ballon d’Ors, league titles and goal-scoring records that once seemed untouchable. And yet, the World Cup remained the one prize that eluded him, the yardstick by which football immortality is often judged.

Lionel Messi of Argentina’s jersey (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

In Argentina, where Diego Maradona’s shadow still loomed large, that absence was felt more sharply than anywhere else.Qatar 2022 began with doubt rather than certainty. Argentina’s shocking opening defeat to Saudi Arabia threatened to derail the campaign before it truly began. For a brief moment, old fears resurfaced: was this another World Cup destined to end in heartbreak for Messi? But what followed was a team and a captain refusing to surrender to narrative or pressure.Messi led with calm authority. He scored, he created, he inspired, and, perhaps most importantly, he believed.

One final test: Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappé

From the group stages to the knockout rounds, Argentina grew stronger with each game, feeding off Messi’s composure and clarity. Against Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia, he was not just a playmaker but the emotional compass of the side, guiding younger teammates through moments of chaos and tension.Then came the final: Argentina versus France, Messi versus Kylian Mbappé, experience versus explosive youth. It was billed as a passing-of-the-torch moment, but Messi was not ready to hand anything over. He scored from the penalty spot to give Argentina the lead and later added a second, arriving in the box with perfect timing to finish off a flowing move. At 2–0, it seemed as though the dream was finally within reach.

Lionel Messi of Argentina is chased by from Kylian Mbappe of France (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Football, however, rarely allows fairy tales to unfold without resistance. In a breathtaking twist, Mbappé struck twice in the space of minutes to drag France back into the contest. Extra time followed, and Messi once again stepped up, poking the ball home to make it 3–2. Still, France refused to yield. Mbappé completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, forcing a shootout that felt almost unbearable in its tension.As penalties loomed, the weight of history hung heavy. Argentina had been here before. It was close, but not close enough. This time, though, the script was different. Emiliano Martínez produced heroics in goal, Argentine penalties were struck with conviction, and when Gonzalo Montiel converted the decisive kick, Messi dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion.

Tears, release and a moment frozen in time

Tears flowed freely.Teammates swarmed him. In that moment, the burden he had carried for so long seemed to lift. The image of Messi, draped in the black bisht as he raised the World Cup trophy, became instantly iconic.For Argentina, the victory healed old wounds. It united generations that had debated Messi’s place in the pantheon and finally allowed him to be celebrated without caveats.

Lionel Messi of Argentina (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

For Messi himself, it was redemption, validation, and closure all at once. He had not just won a World Cup; he had done so as the undisputed leader of the team, delivering when it mattered most.Two years on, the significance of that night has only grown.December 18 is no longer just a date on the football calendar. It is the day Lionel Messi stepped beyond comparison, beyond debate, and into footballing eternity; World Cup in hand, legacy complete.