When Lionel Messi and co-won a historic World Cup last year, Peter Drury’s spine-tingling commentary was the icing on the cake. Commentators are Often unrecognised in football which was not the case in Qatar. He rose to fame when his words were as beautiful and poetic as the football played on the field. Many argue that it was the World Cup that Lionel Messi cemented his GOAT status, and Peter Drury became the undisputed GOAT of commentary. Born in England, Peter Drury turned to sports journalism after graduation and a short stint in accounting. He worked with BBC radio Leeds where he learned the basics of commentating. Peter started his television commentary life in 1997. He commented on the finals of three FIFA World Cups, Brazil, Russia and Qatar. His commentary is often viewed as expressive and literate, which was at its majestic best in Qatar. “They give thanks that he is one of them. How often have they said that prayer of thanks? How often have we seen those bright wide eyes? How often have we seen in the faces of opponents the dismay that he should come and scar them? While Argentina stared momentarily into the Abyss only for Lionel Messi to pull them clear of it.” This is how Peter Drury described Messi’s Worldie against Mexico when Argentina’s World Cup hopes were on the line.
“A thousand games and still he excels. There will never be another like him, enjoy him while he is here, for sure they do” Drury spilt the heavenly words on Messi’s goal against Australia in the Pre Quarters. It was, incidentally, Messi’s first-ever knockout goal in a World Cup. Drury described Lionel Messi’s assist against Croatia as ’a marvellous mischief.’ The fanbase for his commentary increased match by match, and Drury was at the peak of his powers at Lusail stadium in the final.
“Argentina are champions of the world. Against last, and the nation will tango all night long. Thirty-six years since Maradona and Mexico here, finally, is a nation’s new throng of immortals. Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted. Lionel Messi has shaken hands with paradise. The little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe has just pitched up in heaven. He climbs into a galaxy of his own.” He erupted with such poise and poetic finesse. Drury said that the greatest player of his age finally has the greatest accolade football can afford him. “He was beautiful. He was the point of difference. He has always been the point of difference. Unparalleled and maybe today there will of course always be those who argue, always be those who debate and the debate can rage on if you like but as he falls in love with the object in the world his heart most desired it is hard to escape the supposition that he has rendered himself today the greatest of all time”. Concluded Peter Drury perfectly nutshelled the remarkable career of Lionel Messi and wrapped a fantastic World Cup experience.
Peter Drrury currently works for NBC Sports as its lead commentator for Premier League games in the United States. He had earlier worked with Premier League productions.
Share This Post On
0 comments
Leave a comment
You need to login to leave a comment. Log-in
