Is Destiny The Best Latin American Sports Documentary Of The Decade?
24 October, 2023Across the rich tapestry of South American culture, one constant unites all – football. Whether Brazilian, Uruguayan, Argentinian, Colombia, or Chile, the love for the game is palpable. The scenes of unbridled joy and adulation Argentina felt collectively when their immortal hero Lionel Messi completed his perfect footballing collection was joy at its purest. Argentinians across the country recreated scenes not seen in Buenos Aires, Rosario, and other cities and towns for nearly 40 years since Diego Maradona led them to glory in the 1986 World Cup.
The Brand Of Lionel Messi
Only a select few athletes in the world have the sort of fanfare and star quality of Lionel Messi. A handful of players have had documentaries made about them by international TV stations, and the BBC predominantly focuses on British athletes who have excelled in their field. Messi’s value stretches far beyond football, with significant interest in this documentary the moment it was announced, to a vast array of lucrative sponsorships that bring in tens of millions of dollars for him every year. The ex-Barcelona star has endorsed Gatorade, Mastercard, and several high-profile cryptocurrency companies. Although detractors may roll their eyes at the sheer mention of cryptocurrency, the fact that the world’s most prominent footballer has been able to generate interest through his image alone has done wonders for the industry.
Cryptocurrency Endorsements
The mass adoption of cryptocurrency doesn’t just happen overnight, but having the likes of Messi endorse products within the sector goes a long way to helping grow awareness. Another impactful way that cryptocurrency companies can appeal to people who have little to no knowledge of crypto is by offering existing services remodeled with Bitcoin deposits. Casinos have the advantage of ticking several boxes required which bolsters the overall experience for the person placing the wager.
So, while Messi might help increase the visibility of the product or technology, it is companies like cryptocurrency casinos that can show real-time examples of how effective it can be as a transaction method. Casino gaming has long grabbed the attention of international punters, dating back generations. However, as a new wave of gamers enter the market and look for fresh ways to play, it is cryptocurrency that has filled this gap perfectly. Allowing people to play Bitcoin casino games, sample the convenience the wallet provides, and see why the cryptocurrency is creating such a fuss.
Global megastars like Messi wouldn’t put their weight behind advertising campaigns if the technology wasn’t so innovative and it wasn’t transforming entire industries, such as gambling, with its ingenuity.
Destiny – A Homage To A Footballing Great
Betting companies writing off Lionel Messi at their peril were stunned by the performances of the 35-year-old captain. Many fans worldwide had a vested interest in watching the majestic and ethereal one last time, regardless of their nationality. Destiny is a BBC production that involves interviews with his teammates and those in and around the Argentinian team during the trials and tribulations they faced in Qatar.
The beauty of Destiny is that it captures the intense joy, nerves, and magic of those moments as the now-immortal set of players made the arduous journey to World Cup glory. When Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in the group stage, it looked as though Messi’s dream of lifting the World Cup was all but over. The team looked dejected, disjointed, and a million miles from a team that needed cohesion and overall quality to win football’s most outstanding team trophy.
By working its way around masterful interviews with pundits and players who vividly recall each game, Destiny builds a fascinating insight into what was occurring in the dressing room behind closed doors during the most significant moments of the tournament and the biggest moment in South American sports this decade thus far. Reviews were magnanimous in their praise, and it left no doubt that the generational talent had completed his quest to become the greatest of his generation.
Other Contenders
Falling just shy of qualifying for this decade, Maradona in Mexico and Lorena: The Light-Footed Woman are two excellent Latin-American sports documentaries that come highly recommended. The former followed the iconic Argentinian World Cup winner in Mexico, and the latter, Lorena, a Mexican marathon runner who captured the world’s attention by running barefoot for miles.
The last few years have had some excellent Latin American sports documentaries. Guillermo Vigas: Settling The Score and A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story, the story of one of Formula 1’s most excellent drivers, came out to critical praise in 2020. Tnd they’re the two Latin American documentaries that shine a light on the sporting excellence that has graced the Central and South American continents over the last 70 years.
Final Opinion
At the risk of nostalgia bias, we’d say Destiny eclipses them all. Not only does it perfectly capture the tenacity and intensity of one of Argentinian football’s greatest-ever moments, but it complements it superbly with music, interviews, interjections, and comments from some of the finest minds in the game.
Perhaps there could be a different angle once the dust has settled on this monumental achievement and we look back on each of these documentaries collectively. Still, for any football fans out there, Destiny is a must-watch. Whether you’re an Argentine or a Latin American football fan doesn’t matter. Messi is a gift to the sporting world, and to watch his finest moment in such minute detail is a truly magical and unforgettable experience.
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