人们喜欢的，从来都不是冠军

I've followed England for more than twenty years, and yesterday they lost the World Cup semi-final. That's football. What struck me more was how differently people now treat Argentina and Messi compared with four years ago. In 2022 almost the whole world wanted Messi to finally win the one trophy he was missing, and when he did, many called him the GOAT. Four years later, social media is full of 'FIFA Princess' and 'VARgentina', with people doubting referees and FIFA, even without solid evidence. I think Messi didn't change; his identity did. Before 2022 he was the hero who kept trying and failing. After winning, he became the champion, and Argentina became the defending champions everyone wants to beat. Psychology calls it Tall Poppy Syndrome: the higher someone stands, the more people expect them to fall. The Warriors, Manchester City and many successful companies get the same treatment. When the media keeps declaring someone the greatest, people push back and magnify every controversial call. Short videos spread a fifteen-second controversy far faster than a ninety-minute match; emotion travels faster than facts. Argentina's physical, game-managing style and the Falklands banner after beating England added to it. People don't love champions. They love someone still chasing a dream, because the dreamer stands for hope and the champion stands for order. Doesn't that look a bit like Malaysian politics right now?