(CNN) -- In the sight of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, the man who would be king awaits his destiny. Diminutive and unassuming, Lionel Messi's faith in his ability has never been in question -- but a God-like shadow has always haunted him. If Diego Maradona is a deity to Argentines, then Messi is a prophet. "He was our water in the desert," national coach Alejandro Sabella said of Messi after his side's World Cup quarterfinal victory over Belgium. Messi may not be Moses -- the ability to turn a rock into a pool of water is a stretch too far even for the Barcelona star -- but his football powers frequently attract supernatural praise.
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Argentina faces Germany in Sunday's World Cup final
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Lionel Messi will captain Argentina
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Two teams met in final of 1986 and 1990 tournaments
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Argentina has won the World Cup twice in 1978 and 1986
If the tactic is to distract the public then it has worked to some extent -- and @placeholder has played his part.