Football: One Side Finally Becoming Dominant in the GOAT Debate

The debate over who’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) between football gods (Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo) has raged for years. It has resulted in many punches thrown, words exchanged, and friendships destroyed.

However, the claim that Lionel Messi is the G.O.A.T gained more momentum than ever when he lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy. This ultimate achievement was a cashout period for as many fans who gambled on sites like wetten.com in favor of Messi.

The G.O.A.T argument

For Ronaldo, the argument on who’s the best is twofold: He dominated three of Europe’s top five leagues, most notably the Premier League, the so-called “world’s greatest league.” His work rate propelled him to the top of a game where his talent did not warrant it.

The argument for Messi is that there has never been a player with as much natural talent in his boots. It’s not just the amount of goals but the assists – the creativity that Ronaldo and Pele didn’t possess. Similarly, not winning the World Cup has often been cited as the most significant missing piece in Messi’s career, but not anymore.

The 2022 World Cup and the GOAT debate

Now 35, “the merciless Messi” from Rosario enjoyed his moment of triumph in Qatar at what he told the media earlier in the tournament as his final World Cup. Everything a World Cup final should have was present in Qatar 2022. Even things that you wouldn’t dare consider before the game could happen. It not only met expectations but exceeded them spectacularly.

Messi was able to give Argentina the lead with a fierce penalty kick, and he then provided a brilliant assist for teammate Julian Alvarez, who ended the game with his second strike of the match. Ronaldo’s Portugal side, however, crashed out in the quarter-finals after losing to Morocco 1-0. He was a substitute for the match after Fernando Santos benched him and was later seen in tears while he walked down the tunnel at full time.

After witnessing Messi’s magic and dominant display for Argentina and finally lifting the World Cup trophy in Lusail, many fans and players believe that the G.O.A.T. debate has ended for good. They picked him over Ronaldo as the best to ever play the football game.

Yes, Ronaldo has more goals. But what Messi has done in terms of registering assists, scoring, and almost single-handedly dragging the Argentina teams to two World Cup finals and a Copa America triumph is mighty impressive. More so than anything is the consistency.

Ronaldo’s predicament

While Ronaldo struggled to get playing time at Manchester United, which resulted in the Portugal star’s tumultuous departure from the club, Messi remains a mainstay in the Paris Saint-Germain team. The 37-year-old fallen idol brought his egocentric antics with Portugal to the World Cup. Fernando Santos, the coach, dropped him to the bench after he complained about being replaced during Portugal’s final group games. Ronaldo felt alone and unhappy on the bench as his substitute, Goncalo Ramos, scored a hat-trick in Santos’ side’s 6-1 win over Switzerland.

The world cup win

The 2022 World Cup win completed Messi’s trophy-laden silverware cabinet, getting one over Ronaldo, who has never won the tournament. Although the Portuguese star does not think that ends the debate, though.

The World Cup trophy for Messi is a diadem of his glittering career that has seen him win the Ballon d’Or eight times, compared to Ronaldo’s five. And as he is preparing to return to P.S.G with a World Cup medal in tow, Ronaldo is scrambling around for a new club after being released by Manchester United on mutual consent.

Final thought

Messi has undoubtedly produced a stunning level of football in his career. Many people have also done that across the game’s history. However, his work thus far leaves him atop the podium in the author’s eyes. Nevertheless, the debate on who’s the GOAT will still linger forever. It is impossible to conclude on a person without arguments. Different people will always have their favorite.

Opinions will always differ based on each player’s era of play, talent, individual and team accomplishments, and contributions to football.  But for now, many believe that Lionel Messi has cemented his position as the indisputable BEST OF ALL TIME, ending the G.OA.T. argument.

Do you also see it that way that Messi is the best ever in the game?