Fans believe Lionel Messi is now officially the football GOAT over Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi is being called the greatest footballer of all time now that Argentina won the World Cup.
The star player scored two goals in the final match against France in Qatar, which ended with a 3-3 draw at the final whistle.
The game was pushed into extra time and then nail-biting penalties, with Argentina winning 4-2.
Ahead of the final, many people were debating whether Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are the official GOAT (greatest of all time).
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Now that the game is over, loads of viewers are leaning towards the Argentinian star for the top prize.
Congrats to Argentina and to the GOAT, Lionel Messi, for an amazing World Cup victory. https://t.co/TkPRhReOV9
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 18, 2022
Lionel Messi broke seven records during the 2022 tournament, including most games played at the World Cup (26), and being the first player to score at every single stage of the World Cup.
When you break down the figures, it's been a stellar World Cup for Messi versus Ronaldo.
Lionel has scored seven goals and had three assists, while Cristiano has had one goal and no assists.
Across all World Cups played, Messi has scored 13 goals and had eight assists, while Ronaldo has scored eight goals and had two assists.
Lionel Messi cements himself as the GOAT for eternity. pic.twitter.com/TEF0VhJgFE
— Danny (@DannyAaronsFUT) December 18, 2022
Checkmate.
— Steven Bartlett (@SteveBartlettSC) December 18, 2022
Messi is the Goat. pic.twitter.com/yqAw3lI89m
The best sporting event I have ever seen!
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) December 18, 2022
Thank you Argentina and France for an incredible Final. No doubt that Messi is the GOAT!!!! #FIFAWorldCup
No Messi fan will pass without giving it a like ♥️ Messi is the GOAT 🐐🐐 #Messi𓃵 #WorldCup2022 #Messi
— domatapeko (@DomataPeko) December 15, 2022
On to the final 🇦🇷vs 🇫🇷. WHO you got ? pic.twitter.com/0LymyZ4qeA
🐐 The GOAT debate is settled. The ultimate prize is now part of the collection. The legacy is complete.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022
On the day @Argentina won their third #FIFAWorldCup, Leo Messi is your @Budweiser Player of the Match. 🐐
🇦🇷 #ARGFRA 🇫🇷 #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud @budfootball pic.twitter.com/4wAQD2pSyt
messi got his world cup win cementing his goat status, mbappe got a hattrick + the golden boot, but what did ronaldo get? https://t.co/AtlCZaHVIS
— 🇫🇷 (@reveaIist) December 18, 2022
Honestly I cant be mad that Argentina won. Messi is now the undisputed GOAT especially over that fraud Ronaldo.
— mald (@angryjohn_) December 18, 2022
The GOAT Debate Is Over Now between Messi And Ronaldo #Messi𓃵
— Shahid KhaNn🇦🇷🇲🇦 (@Shahii_tweets) December 18, 2022
AS A TRUE RONALDO FAN I MUST ADMIT THAT LEO MESSI IS THE GOAT 🐐🐐✅️
— A (@neymarSZNNN) December 18, 2022
Messi's 13 goals at the World Cup level is a record for Argentina.
The star of Argentina's team has been praised and celebrated during the tournament in Qatar.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, fell short of leading Portugal to the World Cup title and may have played for the last time at a World Cup level.
The 37-year-old Portuguese forward was dropped to the bench in the World Cup knockout stages by Fernando Santos, who has since stepped down as Portugal head coach.
Ronaldo broke down in tears after Portugal were dumped out of the World Cup in a sensational 1-0 defeat to 10-men Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Messi revealed Sunday's (December 18) final would be the last time he would take part in a World Cup.
He told reporters: “[I feel] a lot of happiness to be able to achieve this. To finish my World Cup career playing my last game in a final.
"Everything I’ve lived in this World Cup, what people experienced and how much the people back in Argentina are enjoying it all is very emotional.
“I’m enjoying everything a lot, I feel strong to be able to face each match.
"We’ve come along making a lot of big sacrifices, like playing the extra time which wasn’t easy. We were tired but the group gave that little bit more, it was a very tough game which went the way we prepared for.
“We knew they would have the ball a lot and that we would have our chances. It was a well prepared match like we always manage, and I’m happy, I’m enjoying it all a lot.”
And what a finale it was for Messi.
Topics: Football, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
Stewart Perrie