‘Is there still a debate?’: Gary Lineker leads the way as Lionel Messi is hailed as the GOAT after a stunning display to send Argentina through to the World Cup final… while Jamie Carragher calls him ‘the best there has ever been!’
Lionel Messi put in yet another stunning performance as Argentina beat Croatia to reach the World Cup final – and a number of football’s biggest stars believe the ‘GOAT’ debate is now over.
The 35-year-old claimed a goal and two assists – setting up Julian Alvarez twice, the second coming after a mesmerising run from the halfway line – as Argentina ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on Tuesday night.
Messi and Argentina with the win booked a spot in Sunday’s World Cup final, with either France or Morocco – who play tomorrow night – to join them.
Lionel Messi played a starring role as Argentina beat Croatia to reach the World Cup final
Jamie Carragher (left) and Gary Lineker (right) both insist Messi is the greatest of all time
Not only did Messi run the show, in scoring he also became Argentina’s top World Cup scorer of all time with 11 goals, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta who scored 10.
The Paris Saint-Germain star also went level with Germany legend Lothar Matthaus’ all-time World Cup appearance record, with a total of 25.
Pundit Gary Lineker, taking to Twitter after Messi’s sublime assist, insisted the debate regarding football’s all-time greatest talent is now over. ‘Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat,’ he wrote.
Jamie Carragher echoed Lineker’s sentiments, adding: ‘The best there has ever been!’
And Jeff Stelling, directing his message to Cristiano Ronaldo fan and friend Piers Morgan, added: ‘So where are we now in the Ronaldo v Messi debate?’
A number of football’s biggest names took to social media to insist the GOAT debate is over
Messi, in scoring against Croatia, also drew level with France star Kylian Mbappe in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot in Qatar on five goals.
The veteran attacker also became the first player to both score and assist in four separate matches at the World Cup since the 1966 edition of the tournament.
Messi’s international record has long been criticised, with many picking fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona as their best-ever player, having inspired his country to World Cup victory in 1986.
The forward was instrumental as Argentina won Copa America last year, however, and he has once again played a vital role in Qatar.
There are still those who pick Brazil legend Pele as their greatest of all time, while Cristiano Ronaldo is, of course, also in the debate.
More to follow…
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