The question “who is the greatest player in history” always creates interesting debates not only because of the emotional love and hate assessments for famous players, but also because very few, if any, Almost no player has had a career epic, brilliant and outstanding enough to surpass everyone and occupy a unique position in the legendary temple.

For example, Zinedine Zidane has won EURO, World Cup, Champions League and Golden Ball, but the former French star does not have many individual titles like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Diego Maradona carried Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title and is worshiped as a saint, but at the club level, Maradona may not be as good as many other players. 

There are players who are brilliant at the team level, but are not so outstanding at the club. There are also players who seem to have everything with the club, but team glory is a distant dream. In general, having a perfect career with full individual and collective titles is something that was once considered impossible, because the challenges are many, and a player’s life is finite. 

But, in an emotional evening at Lusail Stadium, Messi finally reached that seemingly unimaginable milestone. Winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina helps the 35-year-old superstar win all titles at the team and club levels. Messi has won the World Cup, Copa America, Olympics and Finalissima (the final between the EURO and Copa America champions) with Argentina and won every title at the club level with Barcelona. 

Diego Maradona was worshiped by Argentines after winning the 1986 World Cup. Even though Messi has all the glory, he is still compared to Maradona because he has not won the World Cup like his predecessor. After the gold cup won in Qatar, there is probably no comparison anymore. Argentines truly have their own second saint, because not only is he the champion, Messi also carries the Argentine team like Maradona did last year.

At the age of 35, Messi played the most brilliant World Cup of his career. Argentina’s number 10 has his fingerprints on 10 goals in the 2022 World Cup (scoring 7 goals, assisting 3 goals). He became the player to score or assist in the most World Cup matches, appear in the most matches and minutes, wear the captain’s armband in the most matches, have the most goals and assists, and also have the most scoring matches. and the most assists in tournament history.

Messi not only contributed greatly to the gameplay with his superior vision and technique, but also left behind beautiful moments. The long shot against Mexico in the group stage to pull Argentina back from “hell”, the curling shot against Australia, the assist to open the score against the Netherlands, the back twist to beat Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol or the goal to increase the score. The score of 3-2 in the context of being under immense pressure from France shows Messi’s bravery.

Under the pressure of expectations and the obsession of once again collapsing at heaven’s gate when France equalized 2-2 and then 3-3, Messi and Argentina still played bravely. On the penalty shootout, Argentina captain gently defeated Hugo Lloris with a simple shot, bringing the total number of successful penalty kicks in the 2022 World Cup to a total of 6 out of 7 attempts. 

Messi became the first player in history to win the World Cup best title twice. After 8 years (from 2014 to 2022), the World Cup witnessed two excellent versions of Messi, but the current No. 10 midfielder is the more complete and tough version.

A Messi is ready to roll on the field to protect Argentina’s honor, and is not afraid to collide or quarrel to protect his teammates. Messi is no longer rough in the “cocoon” that the press often puts on him, but has cleared up both mentally and in performance. Like a wine that tastes better the longer it ages, Messi reached his peak at an age when many players were already on the other side of the slope. 

On the path to conquering glory, Messi was once ridiculed and compared when placed next to the glory of other players. But with the World Cup gold trophy, the Argentine superstar has become the undisputed number 1.

The race to see who is better between Messi and Ronaldo has almost certainly ended with Messi winning. While Ronaldo never played in the World Cup final, Messi was there, holding his head high and proud with the golden trophy.

Messi’s career has been perfect enough with all the most prestigious titles possible from the team to the individual. The World Cup is the last diamond attached to the champion’s scepter. From now on, all comparisons with Messi are probably meaningless. The 35-year-old striker will no longer have to look to anyone to strive for but himself.