Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were INCOMPREHENSIBLY GREAT! 👏 - Michael "Mr. Soccer" Wilbon | PTI

Pardon The Interruption's Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon discuss Lionel Messi's legacy after Argentina defeated Kylian Mbappe and France in penalty kicks to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
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[@velocityhawk224]

I have never watched a soccer game in my life until this last Sunday. It was worth every second. Def one of the best sporting events I have ever watched!

[@allstarbury]

Its called futbol some are calling it football .Soccer is coming from english speakers but when you will as latin america player they will say futbol

[@chabbenthegoat6182]

Welcome brother

[@jaquinhamdan3943]

Football.

[@connorbardine4072]

I highly recommend you keep watching. It's actually ridiculously easy to keep up with the sport in the U.S. and the World Cup is coming to the U.S. in 2026. Our national team isn't half bad right now either but they should be way better by 2026. And while I love American sports, nothing gets me on the edge of my seat like big-time soccer matches.

[@Curve_the_power]

That great bro! Hope you enjoyed it and your taste to the beautiful sport continues!

[@Sosa0007]

Iv been watching this show for 10+ years. Its great to see how Soccer evolved on ESPN. Tony and Mike watching a game in its entirety is simply amazing to see.

[@andrewa6786]

it's like watching cavemen discover fire! 🤣

[@nativeyo]

@@andrewa6786 lol. They're evolving

[@appl2597]

@@nativeyo, At this rate it'll take them another 10+ years. Just last week, Tony said on this show that he was still unaware that Messi could take the penalty kick for a foul on another person. He thought that the player who was fouled must take the penalty! Lol

[@nativeyo]

@@appl2597 so true. It's so infuriating how ignorant they are!

[@jcrevolver1]

I’ve been watching this show for 20+ years.

[@eliecerguerra8681]

Greatest game ever played. In all sports.

[@tonyswe9463]

Agree. I am a basketball and football fan. But that soccer game was the best sport event ever. Amazing!

[@johnmellos9946]

Best team sports final ever I have ever seen. I'm a soccer fan my whole life which might make me biased. Warriors vs Cavs game 7 is 2nd.

[@bodsnvimto]

It was until City just won the Champs League🙂Admittedly I'm biased and fibbing slightly, and all the excitement came at the end of our win and at our end of the pitch, bur PHEW!

[@johnmellos9946]

@bodsnvimto Dude come on. You support City and I'm happy for you, enjoy the feeling. Argentina vs France made the whole world tremble.

[@bodsnvimto]

@@johnmellos9946 Yes, there was a certain amount of both bias and sarcasm in there. Most of our match didn't live close to that magnificent World Cup Final...but keep that quiet between us, eh? 🙂

[@corpyhogan4433]

Look at the amount of likes that Messi and Mbappé had on their Instagram yesterday. It’s legit people that think Tom Brady is in one of the most popular athletes in the world 💀 the only active North American athletes that can even claim worldwide popularity right now is LeBron, Tiger, and Stephen Curry, and even those 3 are nothing in comparison to people like Messi and Ronaldo

[@Zaghzackio]

Got more likes on a post than lebron has followers 💀

[@jordandavis3867]

Americans live in their own little bubble. They think they are the world. It's a level of delusion that I admire.

[@ishak4337]

@@Zaghzackiolebron has 135million followers

[@wgjung1]

NBA is incredible popular around the world since Michael Jordan.

[@aymanismail234]

@@wgjung1 not like soccer tho

[@TriNguyen-ci8sn]

100%. I also couldn't even watch the NFL either after that World Cup. One of the greatest sporting even in my lifetime.

[@carsten1989]

I love the NFL, but I think Wilbon speaks for many of us when he said after the game he didn’t even wanna watch the NFL the rest of the day 😂

[@carlitos2012ace]

Most of us europeans dont follow NFL , but will follow the superbowl cause its a big showl. Nevertheless , as i was saying on another comment, the equivalent to the superbowl in soccer would be The Champions league final , wich is every year.l World cup has absolutely nothing comparable in the world of sports

[@carsten1989]

@@carlitos2012aceTrue. They don’t know enough to even talk about that 😂 It’s just fun to see American sports reporters get this emotional and effusive over soccer/football

[@BTCBlizzy]

I really think this World Cup tournament this year gained a load of American soccer fans.

[@advithsripada]

It’s an awesome thing especially with the next World Cup here

[@mathewvanostin7118]

Sadly not at all they only watched it like sheep cause elite told them its a event they should watch 😂 they did the same back in world cup 2018 You tell them whats lazio? Whats benfica? And they begin to lie oh Lazio good soccer player! Oh benfica? Good soccer player 😂

[@Christopher-ms5ke]

@@mathewvanostin7118 It’s so cool to make fun of Americans right? You realize we don’t have the opportunities to watch good soccer/football like most of the world right? We have to subscribe to a streaming service just to watch Champions League. Even then the games will be starting at 3pm where I’m at. I’d bet if you lived here you wouldn’t be much of a fan either. If the World Cup boosts interest for soccer/football in America then that’s not a bad thing.

[@nativeyo]

@@mathewvanostin7118 to tack on to what @Christopher said. Even with said streaming services for some reason, everyone has to post the score of the game as soon as it's over all over every platform making it pointless for Americans to watch the replay that they either had to work through or was in the middle of the night. So why would Americans get interested?

[@mathewvanostin7118]

I dont watch sport i dont like cause elite told me to watch it For example i dont like hockey or nfl. I dont care if the hockey world cup or super bowl i wont watch it 😆😆😆 like be true to yourself 😂

[@michaelsacoto2895]

Yea. And Messi has all the championship rings, and mvps. Now with the World Cup, he is the greatest and most accomplished athlete in the world. Messi is the KING of all goats.

[@mphala]

No rings in soccer, its gold medals

[@MessiMerdo]

Agree the problem is they compare the rings to World Cup. But the rings are more comparable to the Balon d'or, which is given out every year to the best player and Messi has 7. The World Cup is just the jewel on the crown.

[@MessiMerdo]

@@mphala The only thing comparable to rings in Futball(Soccer) are Balon d'or and Messi has 7 of them.

[@mphala]

@@MessiMerdo balon d'or is more like season mvp

[@tonyswe9463]

Messi the goat

[@jasetran2186]

I always love the comp between Messi and Steph, everything from their greatness and playing style to their humble personality, the parallel are just uncanny. Seeing both of them giving everything to their sport while suffering the criticism all these years for not winning the ultimate trophy (on their own in the case of Steph) was really hard to watch. That's why this year was just fantastic seeing Steph and Messi proving their greatness by willing their team to the championship while dishing out consistently great performance along the way. I am now beyond happy that both of them have finally got the trophy (Steph's Finals and FMVP & Messi's WC and WC Golden Ball) and respect that they deserve, as GOAT athletes who transcend their sports.

[@daredotay]

Apart from their relative size in the game. A Steph Curry comparison to Messi is not really fair. Messi is the Greatest (countless clutch big moments including numerous finals) and most decorated player (individual awards and team accomplishments) of all time. Steph is amazing but apart from his 3-PT shooting, he isn’t considered to be the greatest individual player even of his generation.

[@mg305]

Stef isnt in the same league as Messi. You would need Stef's shooting, Magic's assists, Kyrie's handles and Lebrons longevity to compare them. Messi is other wordly in multiple abilities. Stef is other worldly in 1 single ability - shooting.

[@Santti.G]

This was the best championship game in any sport I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t even watch the NFL games later that day, they felt so lifeless in comparison. Absolutely spectacular World Cup.

[@phillipbarlow9387]

I feel the same as these two greats, Tony and Michael. I'm an old guy who doesn't know much about soccer...but that was a SHOW that Messi and Mbappe put on, in the World Cup final. Like Tony said, "I know thrilling when I see it." 👍

[@remowilliams7029]

He's been getting medals aka rings for 15 years. League titles, League cup titles, club world cups, uefa champions league titles, copa América title and now the absolute world cup championship title. He's more decorated than any athlete we have in our domestic sports.

[@lexkanyima2195]

2 trophies behind Alves

[@remowilliams7029]

@@lexkanyima2195 compared to the athletes PTI usually covers. But I have a feeling a UCL and obviously a ligue 1 title are on their way.

[@DakonBlackblade2]

@@lexkanyima2195 I think its just 1 now, but he is gonna pass him for sure, PSG wins League 1 every year.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@DakonBlackblade2 ok

[@bendover3653]

Lol you completely missed their point. They are solely talking about winning the biggest prize in the sport, which os obviously a world cup.

[@ep12454]

3:40 I don’t want to be that guy but I don’t think he was thinking of Jordan at all. The Chicago Bulls just sent him a custom jersey 6 or 7 years ago and he took a picture with it. Americans gotta realize guys like Messi, Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona, etc. have far bigger impacts globally than American sports figures do, it’s not even close. This is coming from an American

[@shottakidd2]

Even though you are correct, you cant downplay the global sensation that was Michael Jordan. It was because of him that the NBA became so popular around the world. On a day to day basis football players are way more popular globally but MJ was a different breed from any other basketball player.

[@tonyswe9463]

Exactly. These soccer players are world wide known.

[@lomaniderenalagi7388]

Lionel Massi should be sports man of the year

[@tonyswe9463]

Definitely

[@TheJulienne21]

No doubt

[@thomasgow9475]

decade.

[@tojusote4896]

He already is

[@bijaytamangtamang2228]

Don't forget the contribution of diamaria, he is a real hero.

[@jahmaykhan2091]

Di Maria always turn up for 🇦🇷. Happy for him because he miss the 2014 final against 🇩🇪 and was injured coming into this World Cup.

[@emmah6454]

The real moment was the Argentine goalie in literally the last seconds saving France shot

[@mategradac199]

Finnaly someone who understand the game...

[@johnmellos9946]

He has 1 hand on the only global trophy along with Messi. You are correct.

[@daniaalali4658]

4 billion people watched WC final enough said

[@lubarreyro]

Do you know how hard it is to even play at a world cup when the sport is getting more competitive each year? how many factors have to be in your favour to classify, get to the final and win it? Messi has been there for 5 WC, and been in 2 finals, which means you have to maintain that high level for over 15 years, he's insane

[@phil.1]

Messi is once in a Universe. Cristiano Ronaldo is once in a Millennium. Mbappe is once in a generation (for now)

[@RoninGaijin]

Mbappe is going to be on the Rushmore of football (soccer)

[@death4k57]

@@RoninGaijin lol Cristiano and R9 Ronaldo are not even apart of that Sorry has a top 3 then its not even close. Messi pele and maradona. Mbappe should foucus on being best he can be its practically impossible to do what messi and ronaldo did.

[@mathewvanostin7118]

Messi isnt once in universe cause martinez saved penalties and denied goals from a injured version of france Beating old croatia, benched players at club holland and australia isnt gonna make him goat This wont win the repect of the neutral fans Unless you got difficult teams in their prime on world cup. Champions league/liga/serie A/premier league is bigger test of football talent

[@tmot6714]

I’ll defer to true soccer fans. Explain Messi in Basketball or Football terms. Please

[@nativeyo]

Mbappe will be once in a Universe as well

[@swaggiy_p]

😂😂😂😂 I like how honest he is about not knowing much about football, was so innocent.

[@ReidCoffman1]

Since the crash, I've been in the red. I’m playing the long term game, so I'm not too worried but Jim Roger mentioned there are still a lot of great opportunities, though stocks has been down a lot. I also heard news of a guy that made $250k from about $110k since the crash and I would really look to know how to go about this.

[@alicenolan]

There are actually a lot of ways to make high yields in a crisis, but such trades are best done under the supervision of Financial advisor.

[@Rachelschneider03]

@@alicenolan Thats true, I've been getting assisted by a FA for almost a year now, I started out with less than $200K and I'm just $19,000 short of half a million in profit.

[@AaronTucker-th2nn]

@@Rachelschneider03 i'm following , more info

[@Rachelschneider03]

@@AaronTucker-th2nn She is an Advisor I found through a Newsweek report

[@Rachelschneider03]

@@AaronTucker-th2nn AMY PRISCILLA RASKIN

[@DominikRobak-x2l]

Messi is greatest of all time 🐐

[@pablodebella7695]

People forget Mbape is a forward so of course he makes goals is his job and he is for sure one of the greats today, but Messi is an offensive mid fielder who not only makes goals but also makes his team BETTER overal no only with his game but with his leadership. Thats why Messi still at 35 is the best player in the world.

[@bodsnvimto]

Anyone doubting as to whether Messi is simply the best should watch his highlight footage. The way he goes through and around defences as though the ball was tied to his left foot by an invisible piece of string. He is an artist.

[@kingleonidas6092]

An American sports journalist saying he didn't even want to watch the nfl because the world cup was so thrilling? The end of times

[@balerion77]

2:43 , That Needing WC argument is debatable. It's not like a Typical NFL or NBA title that happens every YEAR which is City /Club tournament. WC is an Inter-national Knockout Tournament, It's Highly dependent on The NATION you are born in and The State of Football of the Nation & Players at the time of the WC, maybe BAD or Players injured. It happens Every 4 years. It's very tricky.

[@outthewindowproductions9212]

Penaldo fans after years of INSULTING messi and calling him names are now saying "lets not compare them they are both goats" we remember you Penaldo fans we never forgot

[@eliecerguerra8681]

And the irony is that the US has all the potential to become a world power house like Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy. It's needs more fans. The Most Important Trophy in the World is the World Cup.

[@scottblish766]

It needs way more than more fans. It needs its best athletes to start playing soccer, and it needs to get rid of the horrible pay-to-play youth system that holds it back from ever developing real talent by limiting entry to the US National Team system to middle- or upper-class kids whose parents can afford to pay the fees to put them on travel teams. In no country that is actually any good at it is soccer a game for well-fed suburbanites and children of privilege.

[@Cro-cop]

At the World Cup final, Argentina had the most populous country in the world. Everyone cheered for Argentina.

[@lexkanyima2195]

True

[@chakir348]

because of messi

[@deedelacruz4502]

messi so good

[@non-kh7tm]

No question about it

[@luishernandez05]

Best World Cup since France Italy in 06' mbappe won the world but Messi had the futbol gods smiling at him handing him his well deserved gold trophy ! What a career Messi you did the impossible you are bigger than maradona now

[@MartinRichardi]

Best final since 1986 at least!!!

[@TERRI4REAL]

The game was EPIC!

[@ANGELOFDARKification]

You guys didn't even mention the importance to their nation and how Argentina won a world cup after Maradona passed away.

[@MessiMerdo]

today and for ever best player Messi. The problem is they compare the rings to World Cup. But the rings are more comparable to the Balon d'or, which is given out every year to the best player and Messi has 7. The World Cup is just the jewel on the crown.

[@RedDevilSkillz]

I’d say the champions league is more like a ring

[@MessiMerdo]

@@RedDevilSkillz Champions League would be more like winning the Super Bowl.

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

The Football World Cup is more important than NFL rings or even Champion's League. Th NFL is a sport mostly played on high level in the USA while Football is played on high level in many countries in the world. Winning the NFL is nothing more like winning the national title in a European top league, it is not ven worth Champion's league and for sure not a World Cup. Pelé's 3 world cups beat Tom Brady's and Michael Jordan's (my favourite athlete) titles and rings.

[@Christopher-ms5ke]

Another one of the best young players is Erling Haaland who plays for Manchester City.

[@kevindimas253]

What sucks with him, is there's a good chance he may never play in a major tournament

[@nativeyo]

@@kevindimas253 he might play in the next world cup because it's expanding to 48 teams

[@kevindimas253]

@@nativeyo if they do that, it would be so dumb

[@nativeyo]

@@kevindimas253 they are doing it though

[@markwillykellermann5519]

@@kevindimas253 the champions league is just as big as the world cup lol

[@mg305]

A lot of Stef and Messi comparisons in the comments. Here's my take: Stef isnt in the same league as Messi. You would need Stef's shooting, Magic's assists, Kyrie's handles and Lebrons longevity to compare them. Messi is other worldly in multiple abilities. Stef is other worldly in 1 single ability - shooting.

[@joelgonzalez2695]

You are correct about Messi, but completely wrong about Steph. You underestimate all the skill and athleticism his game requires. I'm from Argentina and a Lakers fan, so no bias. 😆

[@KevonDaDon]

I feel from a stylistic standpoint from another sport I’d compare Messi to is Mahomes careers not on the same level yet of course but both had the greatest starts ever to football careers and both are magical alien magicians

[@norvinzor]

AFter yesterdays Game, it Cemented Messi as the Goat and Mpappe as One of the Greatest ever

[@mightytitan1719]

Mbappe isnt one of greatest ever but he has potential to be best

[@gerritlullau2576]

@@mightytitan1719 Top10 potential for sure. But surpassing Messi or CR7 i don't think so

[@peteplunkett8525]

@@mightytitan1719 if mbappe isn't a great then Messi isn't a goat period mbappe is the goat

[@thenorseprodigy7466]

I think Pele is the greatest ever because he has won 3 World Cups

[@peteplunkett8525]

@@thenorseprodigy7466 I can't disagree with that

[@VirtualWorldBroadcast]

Messi is the best playmaker while Mbappe is the best striker now. They are the best in different categories.

[@simondh2249]

good thing they are in the same club then (with Neymar btw)

[@AGE_97]

Facts right there. It was his last shot. This was it. There was no next time. Messi, Di Maria, Otamendi were on the wrong side of 30s. It was this or never again. And that's what made this game a masterpiece. I'll never forget what I witnessed. Immortality and greatness right there.

[@erikmedina09]

I wish I agreed with you... but I think FIFA helped Argentina on this one.

[@AGE_97]

@@erikmedina09 how bro?

[@erikmedina09]

@@AGE_97 If you watched the final, I'm sure you're aware of the suspicious first penalty call. Dembele supposedly fouling Di Maria, though it's very hard to see any contact if at all. I really believe Di Maria took a dive hoping for the call. The referee was so quick to call the foul that it makes it seem the ref was just waiting for a moment like this. You're probably aware that Argentina has been the beneficiary of other dubious penalty kick calls during the tournament. There were other calls throughout the final that favored Argentina-- missed foul calls when France had chances to score. I wish I had kept a list while watching the game. No yellow or red card for Otamendi in the 79th minute on the penalty call that led to France's first goal? (At least they gave France a penalty though.) Also, did you see the cheap shot from Cristian Romero in the 10th minute that hurt Hugo Lloris (French goalie)? That was a good primer for the rest of the game.

[@scottblish766]

Weird thing is, Messi might play in the 2026 World Cup. He'd be 39, but at the very least he'd still be good enough to come off the bench.

[@mikejones1335]

Messi n Maradona are the only 2 players to win world cup without having a team full of world class players

[@Stringbean670]

Argentina has a few tbf tho. Di maria, Alvarez, de Paul

[@jordandavis3867]

@@Stringbean670 right... Ppl need to stop.

[@hailmaryrunquicksee]

Tell me you are from North America without telling me you're from North America

[@razackchrist5096]

Lie.

[@SB-wy1bm]

@@Stringbean670Mf'er really mentioned de Paul and Alvarez as world class players lol

[@soleil3gs]

Best sports game EVER

[@macemanVII]

2:45 hit hard. So true

[@isaacdonkor292]

It's crazy that these two are in the same team.

[@MrJoromekiq1]

Who's the best player today? Today, tomorrow, yesterday it's Messi. It's Messi until he retires. Mbappe is impressive, but at his age ( 23 ) Messi was already in the conversation for best ever; and also did a lot defensive work

[@jean-yvesmartin6934]

yes but at 19 Mbappe had alrwady won a World Cup...and it wont be the last

[@jean-yvesmartin6934]

@@bred9971 Find me One Nation with a better stats line from the last 24 years. Go ahead. Stats don’t lie .

[@trustory83]

Felt like the 🌎 stopped in best way

[@grinchoi1]

Messi is the greatest player ever.

[@TheDYNAMITE001]

Dude said ".. every four years" in the end 😂😂

[@victore.1509]

If you are new to the beautiful world of football and want to learn more: 1. Choose a club team (I recommend a premiere league team. Very competitive and entertaining.) 2. Watch their domestic league matches and Champions league matches (Even Europa league!) . 3. Follow their social media pages and general football sports news media to get more knowledgeable (ESPN FC is great). You may not agree that it is the greatest sport in the world (it is!), but you'll surely appreciate the athleticism, physicality, and the awe-inspiring nature of this world. I have been a football fan for 20+ years (A Messi fan for 15+) and this final was the single greatest football match I have ever seen.

[@ckhobhey1047]

Best Player Today is Messi, No Doubt.

[@josephjoestar2963]

I cant wait for the Copa America 2024 with the USA!! I hope we get to play with the world champion 😁🇺🇸🇦🇷

[@Darkknight9035]

ali frazer doesn't compare with this final... this was like a monumental movie

[@bigpoppa3999]

I got an American friend he explained to me that explaining club football to him is like trying to explain all the different factions in game of thrones. You know what he's right. If you don't follow it, it is hard to get an understanding how it actually works because it involves different leagues in different countries.

[@mrefis9705]

The UEFA Champions’ League will be back in February with its best: the knockout stage. Tony and Mike should give the tournment a chance. The best football You can dream of seeing is there. (And It’s waiting for you.)

[@nativeyo]

Absolutely. Imagine if ESPN talks about the Champions League as much as they talk about the NFL playoffs? Heck that would have implications for our national team as more kids might get inspired to play the sport.

[@Cofitube94]

It's hard for Americans to have interest in champions league when there so much good sporting events going on at the same time here. Soccer gets lost amoung them

[@nativeyo]

@@Cofitube94 i don't think that's what's stopping Americans but the time of day of the Champions League games. By the time Americans are done with work, the game is over and everyone wouldve posted the score everywhere making the game not worth watching

[@peteplunkett8525]

Champion leagues is nice but don't compare it to the world cup there both worlds apart

[@Cofitube94]

@@nativeyo I was gonna add that too. It's definitely the case for me in Canada even though I'm a big soccer fan

[@Munards]

You know it was big when these guys talking about the game

[@ahsanrubel2869]

Pls put the debate behind now! Have you ever seen a better 35 yrs 5 months old player than Messi...!? I doubt it very much. Just enjoy Messi while he is around!

[@tonyhuerta8964]

American sudden interest in football scares me. They turned it in it to quite the business in such few years. On a side note, couldn’t be happier Argentina won

[@romanosaraviadis]

At last. A very international take by preeminent American pundits that really hits the main points of it all. The understandable but mainly American nature of a player having to have certain accomplishments to be considered great. The global appeal of that rollercoaster match that was the final, even though there were mistakes by both coaches. In sum, I'm glad that people on the other side of the glove saw what draws us to football from a very young age. It's the emotions, the up and downs, the marvels of the heroes etc. And sadly, it's not very frequent anymore.

[@nativeyo]

Kornheiser should really watch the Champions League every year if he thought the World Cup Final was thrilling

[@peteplunkett8525]

Champion league can't compare to this not a tall

[@nativeyo]

@@peteplunkett8525 so you only want people to watch the sport whenever the world cup comes along?

[@markwillykellermann5519]

i‘d much rather watch the champions league. at least i can be sure the best players and teams advance.

[@peteplunkett8525]

@@markwillykellermann5519 if that's your preference can't argue with you but you can't deny the world cup is the best

[@peteplunkett8525]

@@nativeyo only die hard football fans watch club football world cup on the other hand brings everyone that's the difference and the impact it have

[@mrfacts6860]

Football won. 🐐 lives

[@juniorj.5108]

World Cup was 🔥 love NFL but World Cup final all day

[@dominikrobak-i6n]

MESSI GOAT

[@MarianoRodriguez]

The best at PSG right now is Messi. Period.

[@MaxxBiggs]

Listening to these guys talk about world cup finals and the GOAT debate is weird. Good thing they know that they don't know.

[@jokubaitis9]

Messi is the greatest!

[@aguy7190]

I love pardon the interruption

[@Mohammed_Gidado]

Mbabe played 3 penalties in thesame spot in one game.....badass

[@alancawfield6549]

Messi was probably the GOAT before this game anyway but this win means any doubts about him are well and truly over. Frankly judging individuals based on an international event that happens once every 4 years is unfair.Winning in international team sport is 100% based on where you are born which is down to luck. If Messi for example was from Ireland he wouldn't get close to winning a world cup would tat make him any less of a player?

[@gerritlullau2576]

Of course not

[@superstar_h_gamer5211]

George Weah the only African born balon dor winner Is prime example

[@daleviker5884]

You are 100% correct, but there is a reason that this was a big deal. Football is very tribal, and for years fans of another good player have been criticizing Messi for never winning a World Cup. Despite the common sense of the point you make, along with the fact that football is a team game, not an individual one, Messi's critics have absolutely hounded this point for ten years, since it's the only thing they could think of to undermine him. (Not that their own hero has done so, far from it.) Now, Messi has in fact won the World Cup, and has left critics without a leg to stand on. And he's done it at the age of 35, which is ancient in football terms, while being the best player in the tournament.

[@gerritlullau2576]

@@daleviker5884 100% correct. But the critics won't go away despite him winning a wc. Hope his haters and doubters give him his flowers when he's retired

[@daleviker5884]

@@gerritlullau2576 Unfortunately, that's right. There's already idiots all over social media just saying Argentina were lucky, and even that the tournament was rigged, or that Messi wasn't the best player so it makes no difference, you name it. Some people would rather die than say something positive about a player from a rival team. Tribalism is one of the best things about soccer, and at the same time it is the worst thing.

[@MrKJ444]

the best player today is still Messi! Watch their games with PSG and you will know who runs the show

[@Bajannubian095]

Mbappe

[@MrKJ444]

@@Bajannubian095 is 3rd tier on that team

[@MrCammo123]

I do love american commentators talk about football (soccer) they are more clueless than african experts in the comment section...they are right this time though. What an amazing final and end to an amazing international career. Messi is now top 2 all time with Pele arguable G.O.A.T status. (Don't worry Ronaldo fans he's number 3 imo) but Mbappe has a chance to eclipse them all I mean he's 23. Just wow.

[@KwesiGyamfi-zf8fl]

its crazy right? Mbappe is an animal and hes coming, im telling u

[@MrCammo123]

@@KwesiGyamfi-zf8fl yup he's surely going to torch everyone at the euros and the next world cup in vengence

[@scottwillie6389]

Mbappe does not have the skill set to eclipse Messi (who is clear GOAT). Ronaldo he can eventually pass however if he maintains his current output for another decade.

[@MrCammo123]

@@scottwillie6389 I mean I hope not as I am a big messi fan since I was a kid but what makes you say Mbappe doesn't have the skillset? I agree he's more like Ronaldo in approach to his game but I think everything is there for him to be the GO.A.T barring injuries

[@scottwillie6389]

@@MrCammo123 His dribbling and control are not in the same league as Messi. Messi is the only guy in the history of soccer who, if everybody were wearing the same color uniform and you were watching the game on TV from 20 feet away you would still immediately recognize whenever he has the ball just because of the way he moves with the ball. He is just that far above anyone else in that regard. Messi was the best to ever play the game by far. Better than Pele. Better than Maradona. Better than Ronaldinho. If Mbappe maintains his current quality of play for the next decade he will be remembered as the equal of any of those names, but he would have to improve greatly to match Messi.

[@tmot6714]

This reminded me of the 2006 rose bowl. I don’t miss Eagles games for nothing, but something told me to stick around

[@gannlim1]

Mbappe remind us 1982 Italy legend Paolo Rossi and Ronaldo Brazil single hand carry their country to win Previous world cup champions

[@daleviker5884]

Nobody single-handedly wins games of football.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@daleviker5884 Maradona 86

[@daleviker5884]

@@lexkanyima2195 Rubbish. He was the best player, but you forget that during the time of Maradona's career, Argentina won two world cups and two Copa Americas. Maradona was there for only one of those four trophies. The national team won three major tournaments without him, so to imply that they needed Maradona to single handedly win a trophy for them is just ridiculous.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@daleviker5884 but it's the truth ?

[@bilkho654]

Great job Argentina

[@elishaisrael]

The answer to the question at the end is haaland with mbappe a close second

[@MarvelousSquad]

ali vs frazier? lol this was way bigger and more important

[@johnmellos9946]

Ali vs Frazier at the time made the World stop. No social media no youtube, just 2 men fighting to figure out who was the baddest man on the planet. It was a HUGE deal and 3 incredible fights. On top of that they were true rivals of eachother.

[@eek8605]

Its great for Messi, but to France management to not play your best player in Karim Benzema, who in recent news shows he was healthy, for pogba and kante being injured France cant do anything about that i guess. That game really made me feel sorry for Mbappe and how much he had to do

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

Mbappe is proving he may be the GOAT one day. He does much even with little

[@StocktonMush]

He was injured bro. What do you mean?

[@robertosso5210]

everybody here in the usa who doesnt like and care about soccer who thinks soccer is boring, i can guarantee you that if they happened to have tuned in and watched this game that sunday morning, doesnt think soccer is boring anymore

[@ani4226]

Good preparation for 26'

[@Mike-ud6hd]

Basketball, Baseball, NFL all don't have a trophy nearly as prestigious as a World Cup. They have a championship more comparable to a lesser Champions League. Not sure why he reached for that comparison.

[@kevindimas253]

More like individual leagues

[@Bajannubian095]

MBAPPE is Goated

[@abhinayreddy7807]

It is the biggest event ever bcoz MESSI played in that

[@abhinayreddy7807]

Still the best player messi you poor wilbon

[@bencebazso3124]

That wasnt…martinez save was crazy

[@jacksonaltidor]

Congratulations

[@ahvhyiahngahmyhdhan9848]

They say France could've won if kante was not injured! But cmon if kante and mbappe lost to Messi, what would be the outcome"2 minutos de selencio".....continue the song...

[@kevinj12345]

Haaland scores more often, but Mbappe is the more complete player.

[@noire9601]

Ouuu Mr Football ⚽️!

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

The Football World Cup is more important than NFL rings or even Champion's League. NFL is a sport mostly played on high level in the USA while Football is played on high level in many countries in the world. Winning the NFL is nothing more like winning the national title in a European top football league (Premier League, Bundesliga), it is not even worth Champion's League title and for sure not a World Cup. Pelé's 3 world cups beat Tom Brady's and Michael Jordan's (my favourite athlete) titles and rings alltogether.

[@kasalemoshabesha]

There s the Champions League if you cant wait 4 years

[@ernestmwape]

It is just nice to see old-time USA journalists finally give some airtime to soccer. It is also gud that USA men's team is doing good. Now Americans know the difference between world and regional champions and national and club level champions. So Chicago Bulls have never been world champions, but are national champions🤣 Floyd Mayweather has been world champion

[@laloca3878]

Messiiiiiiiiii!

[@mttrader7]

Mbappé is am exceptionalplayer I think after this it will be Messi Cristiano then Mbappé

[@AngelRVBroker]

I wonder if they know that they are actually on the same team

[@cobra2966]

Mbappe was not great in the final. He was non existent for the first 80 minutes. He was clutch but it was not a great performance from him overall. Messi on the other hand…

[@johnnygarcia33133]

As long as the US keeps calling this sport soccer, the sport won't go nowhere in the US.

[@mikejeuga8541]

That Chicago Bulls comment is delusional.... thinks he's Jordan. Mike, the dude is from Argentina. God is called Maradona not Michael Jordan.

[@genoisnelson3830]

Well we kno for sure Mbappe is better than Haaland

[@dazo8671]

That's what sports does the greatest moments even if U don't follow the sport it still captures the imaginations of sports many fans across the globe 🌍

[@ianrobinson4200]

Mbappe is better right now than Messi, he outplayed him in the final. Of course, Messi is the greater player overall but I'm excited to see what Mbappe can achieve in his career

[@lexkanyima2195]

No, he was not

[@nicolasnkosi4]

Joke of the century

[@siddey9782]

Lionel Messi and Steph Curry Really Shut the Whole World in 2022.

[@ace2nice]

Curry lol

[@askme977]

Couldn't agree more. So glad too, anyone who understands the difficulty of what those two are doing has known they are best forever, but finally casuals have to start agreeing also. Both have skills no one has ever had and they are doing it all undersized in their sports. Just amazing.

[@joshuamiller5680]

Underrated comment I’m so glad they got their flowers

[@madboyreadynow28]

Messi is the GOAT