Published 14:47 IST, December 14th 2022
Twitter says GOAT debate is now settled after Lionel Messi's masterclass against Croatia
Check out the best reactions on the Internet after Lionel Messi starred for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semifinal against Croatia on Wednesday.
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Twitter overflowed with reactions to Argentina’s 3-0 win against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal, which helped them earn a place in the summit clash. This came days after Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal ended their campaign with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Morocco. While both Ronaldo and Messi are understood to be playing in their last World Cup, netizens suggested that the debate about who is the best footballer between Messi and Ronaldo has ended now.
It is pertinent to mention that Ronaldo and Messi share a total of 12 Ballon d’Or trophies between them, with Ronaldo winning five and Messi winning seven. With Messi’s effort to score and assist for Argentina in the semi-final, the 35-year-old registered his fifth goal in World Cup 2022, which was his 11th overall goal in the competition. On the other hand, Ronaldo only found a goal once during Portugal’s campaign and was also dropped from the starting XI during the Round of 16 and quarterfinal games.
Suggesting that Messi has now proved that he is a better player than Ronaldo, former English footballer Gary Lineker put out a tweet and said, “Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat”. A Twitter user reacted to the tweet and said, “For me Ronaldo has been better than Messi since the beginning but Ronaldo's decline these last 6 months means Messi is the better player now. For the last 15 years it's still Ronaldo”.
Nothing has changed. 🤷🏻♂️🐐 https://t.co/j5GjcKto13
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) December 14, 2022
#Messi𓃵 the best there has ever been!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 13, 2022
Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 13, 2022
🐐
— Alexia Putellas (@alexiaputellas) December 13, 2022
For me Ronaldo has been better than Messi since the beginning but Ronaldo's decline these last 6 months means Messi is the better player now.
— Aidan 💙 (@AidanUTD1) December 13, 2022
For the last 15 years it's still Ronaldo.
Twitter reaffirms Lionel Messi as the GOAT
Meanwhile, another user reminded everyone that Ronaldo is over two years older than Messi. “You're all forgetting that Ronaldo is 2 1/2 years OLDER than Messi and that makes a big difference when comparing the two at this stage of their respective careers,” the user said. “I respect Ronaldo obviously but how you can watch football and not decide Lionel Messi is the obvious GOAT is insane to me,” another user wrote on Twitter.
You're all forgetting that Ronaldo is 2 1/2 years OLDER than Messi and that makes a big difference when comparing the two at this stage of their resoective careers.
— Niyaaz147 (@kidbo888) December 14, 2022
I respect Ronaldo obviously but how you can watch football and not decide Lionel Messi is the obvious GOAT is insane to me.
— george (@StokeyyG2) December 13, 2022
If Messi is doing this in 3 years then yes, it’s undeniable. But people are being way too reactionary right now. Their age difference is significant. At 35, Ronaldo was playing (arguably) better than Messi is right now, it’s illogical to compare them right now.
— josh (@joshbruv) December 13, 2022
It’s like saying I’m a better footballer than Pele because I’m playing better than he is right now. Obviously the margins here are smaller, but you have to contextualize things, we should remember Ronaldo’s execellent season at Juve at 35 is better than Messi’s season right now.
— josh (@joshbruv) December 13, 2022
How come being a player of a WORLD CUP tournament is lower sensation than ronaldo at 35? Messi is almost certain to win another golden ball of world cup. He's been sensational.. i mean last assist against netherland and the third goal assist. They're pure gold.
— saber xaviour (@SaberXaviour) December 13, 2022
Did ronaldo qualify for a world cup final at the age of 35 i dont think so. Now its more rational both at 35 did anything change no messi still the goat
— ayanakoji (@patelavi4444) December 13, 2022
This moment was poetry in motion!!
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) December 13, 2022
⚽️🏃#Messi𓃵 #ArgentinaVsCroatia pic.twitter.com/LlG97CfDgk
Ronaldo is the leading goal scorer in men’s international football with 118 goals in 193 appearances. Interestingly, Messi sits third in the all-time list behind Ali Daei’s tally of 109 goals in 148 caps. However, the Argentine player is second in the list of active players with the most goals, courtesy of 96 goals in 171 appearances.
13:38 IST, December 14th 2022