Lionel Messi was AT THE CENTRE of all that was good in Argentina-Croatia - Shaka Hislop | ESPN FC

[@farotv4232]

As a Real Madrid fan of 24 years, I'm ready to declare Leo Messi as the GOAT. It is that simple. There is no other that can compare to him.

[@omairsh8]

Welcome to the club 🙂

[@gn1495]

R9 is better

[@inzykhan415]

Nope he never was the goat an never will be! It will always be pele Maradona R9 Ronaldo!

[@lesleyanthony5031]

@@inzykhan415 did u see them play over their whole career?

[@realmadridkingsofeurope1394]

Same but I was stating Messi as the GOAT since 2019.. The way Messi dragged that pathetic Barça squad to the Semis of the UCL by giving an all star performance was Maradonasque..

[@Joemamashouse69]

The assist Messi had on the 3rd goal was unreal.

[@happy_boy8506]

It's usual for him

[@kalashparate4418]

I don't know how's there even a debate the guy is complete football

[@meshackmothamo9979]

Messi is fake… that assist can’t be real 😮😮😮😮 yoooh

[@zaza-ik5ws]

vintage messi

[@juulutpoulsen3018]

We saw that week in week out when he was in La Liga. Not so often much after 2017 bc of injuries and started to play more differently, but when he could make hose crazy runs, he was amazing.

[@BC-mj7gj]

As a football fan and Messi doesn't give you excitement, please switch to another sport because football is not for you. There has never been a player good as Messi and we might never see it in the future. The day he retires will be the saddest day for football. Gracias Leo for the joy you gave us all these years

[@amitk79]

23 to 28/29 yr old Messi was the greatest footballer.

[@gn1495]

How old are you?

[@da_nilljay5243]

@@amitk79 Messi was literally 32 in 2019 wdym.

[@amitk79]

@@da_nilljay5243 when did I say anything about 2019. Learn to read.

[@da_nilljay5243]

@@amitk79 Messi was the best also in 2019 kid

[@Official_Suave]

I'm glad the Leo Messi is enjoying the world cup because it's like there is no pressure on his shoulders this time around wonderful

[@TenshinhanIsKing]

The weight was lifted after Copa America. He also loves his Coach and teammates.

[@erickmoritz1657]

Now Guardiola needs to figure out how to play Julian Alvarez and Haaland together. Great cup by him and Messi.

[@latrellspencer9229]

He already has

[@Matken00]

Messi is the best ever to play the game. Even if they lose the final he is the best. Anybody that believes 90 minutes of football are detrimental to him being the best or not are clueless.

[@Acens8]

7 games don't define a player's status. Especially when the results are down to 10 other players. Longevity, stats, beauty of the way he plays and being at the top for 17+ years defines the player's status. Messi is the GOAT. There is no real debate about it. Only people who doesn't like Messi try force the debate between Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona. But when you look all the aspects that define a player individual ability, he is better than all of them. If Messi wins the WC they will find next ways to discredit it. They already started with the WC being rigged for Argentina BS.

[@minnchi5125]

As long as Messi continues to enjoy playing, that's all that matters 🇦🇷🏆⚽️🐐💪🔥🤩🙌💙🤍❤️

[@otakuhunter4817]

​@@OmPrakash-ie7shtension is there.What he has been liberated from is fear

[@kofiowusu3745]

Shaka always has something negative to say or imply about Argentina...he has always been a Messi hater

[@areader2253]

He really has some issues. Little man.

[@ChauncyCharm]

He picked them to win the tournament initially

[@maldini3184]

Wrong. He picked them to win the WC plus in hindsight he's nor wrong. You have to win the biggest trophy of all to be the greatest of all time.💯

[@johnarterton8470]

@@maldini3184 Messi is the only guy that can be called the Greatest of all time whether he wins it or not... Come on dude 10 MOTM alone in world cups speaks highly of what he has performed on the biggest stage individually... And world Cup trophy won't prove Messi it will prove for the argentina team that they are the current best

[@FPLZac]

@@johnarterton8470 the greatest of all time is an opinionated topic. If you ask 10 different people you may get 10 different answers. I agree Messi is the GOAT but if someone said Pele/Maradona/Ronaldo I wouldn't tell them no. That's their opinion. Doesn't change my view. That doesn't make him a hater

[@kalashparate4418]

Shaka is one game away from accepting messi is the greatest player ever😂

[@magicjohnson5733]

@@rafael6693 you guys said this about every team Argentina have faced just stfu man

[@jftt42]

If someone wants to believe that Pele, maradona, ronaldo, maldini, or even mustafi is the best player ever, then why can't we just accept their opinion? Not everyone in the world needs to think the same.

[@sebinsha7982]

@@rafael6693 aged well

[@ThatGuy-tx4vm]

@@jftt42 it's not an opinion if it isn't backed by logic and honesty. The moment you use lies to make a point then your opinion is dead. Especially if you are a pundit and you are paid for your insight.

[@jftt42]

@@ThatGuy-tx4vm What lies? He has maintained over the years that it's impossible to compare different eras because both the rules of the game and the professional standards were very different in the days of Pele and maradona. Then there's the fact that we were not around to watch those players play on a consistent basis to judge them. In the presence of differentiating factors and in the absence of sufficient data, the choice to crown messi as the best ever could theoretically be correct, but it remains a subjective call. And to berate people for having a nuanced opinion that doesn't jump to unsubstantiated conclusions says more about you than it does about them.

[@ma.esther9637]

I hope they will win in the Finals....Argentina the champion👏👏👏👏👏👏 Messi, the Legend❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@deepanjanchatterjee7756]

Vamos Argentina ❤❤❤

[@mikeball1397]

The most goals, assists hes scored in a world cup as well as beating the Argentina record scorer and scoring knockout goals. He maybe slower and have less reserves but this is his more impressive and dominant world cup. I believe in this team and I think Leo will be unstoppable in the final regardless whos playing.

[@17arando]

I think Shaka's analogy completely misses that in every other sport it's the best professional league. No one says someone can't be the best basketball player because they didn't win the gold medal with their national team. The world cup being national team based means that it's really a roll of the dice whether you have a complete enough team to win. In a professional league with Higuain's performances they would have bought a better striker. Instead Messi had to watch him blow final after final no matter how well he set him up

[@tomasdelcampo2]

You know we had multiple other top tier strikers, it’s just that Higuaín choked specifically in finals

[@Chilavertish]

Frank Lebeouf makes that point - it depends on where you were born. Georges Weah and Best could never be considered the best by that logic (not saying they are, just an example)

[@lperea21]

Don't forget that in many other sports the crowning jewel is up for grabs every year. The world cup is much harder to obtain because of its infrequency.

[@es4917]

Morocco may just pull off one of the greatest World cup surprises of all time!

[@miraj1010]

is messi the fav to win golden ball even if he loses the final ?? i think yes but hoping he wins it winning the WC

[@mrfacts6860]

Messi is the greatest player ever win or lose 1 matxh all know

[@Anonassassin]

I hope he wins. These is his second shot at the title. It's the only way he becomes greater than Maradona and at this piont it would be the perfect fairytale to a man that has praised and insulted so many times

[@YeTism]

he’s a already surpassed maradona

[@Anonassassin]

@@YeTism Ahhh No! For lots of us in the west and europe yes but in Argentina a big FAT No. Messi does not need to win over the football world. He needs to win over Argentina

[@areader2253]

@@Anonassassin lol you have no clue what you're talking about. Argentina loves Messi. Comparisons are stupid.

[@cavanriley7373]

@@areader2253 love and worship two very different things maradona is literally GOD to them lot. You seen the funeral absolutely insane never seen a nation that heartbroken .

[@KoshieTCG]

Wether messi wins the world cup or not i have came to conclusion none of it will matter to the haters. Haters will find something else to cry about that a guarantee. I hope he wins it more than anything but to me nobody in the history of football has done what messi has for both club and country.

[@dorjigyeltshen261]

I always thought Messi is the GOAT except for Shaka and few others and they have got it now

[@876jamaicanyouth]

Shakka has always maintained that Messi isn't the greatest would love to see him concede

[@TechCrazy]

Heck with Shaka. Messi to me is the greatest.

[@Jess_wrtr]

Messi GOAT. Say no more. 🇦🇷🐐👑

[@tonireed4123]

Messi Play His swiftly flowing moves sublime Let's us be on God's Mountain high! Though we stand on earthly ground We divinely share in his heavenly realm! Only a non-feeling-atheist would claim to be Bored by Lionel's God-gifted Liberty. Now thanks to Messi, we are divinized as ONE; God's glorified messenger replaces, the communistic--rainbow, with the SON.

[@jeanwestone3968]

MESSI MAGIC

[@manchesteraholic5859]

Shaka is clueless. What if Pele and Maradona were born in San Marino? Erling Haaland may never play a world cup coming from a second tier nation. It's what they do week in week out at the highest club level. R9 never won the champions league. Does that affect his legacy. Shaka is basically saying unless your one born in one of the 9 teams who have previously won the world cup your not in the conversation of the greatest ever. Espn move him on. Messi's stat's dwarf Maradonna and Pele. No disrespect to them. There will never be another like Leo.

[@shayankumarpaul]

Monday's ESPN FC will be fun to watch 🤟

[@donmakaveli8047]

The question that I would like to ask Shaka: how and why European media dare to put CR7 in the goat debate cause he has never even reached a world cup finale with Portugal? Just as I thought. it was a simple propaganda cause Europa has never produced talented players like Pélé, Maradona or Ronaldo R9. it was just a fake debate. now we know the truth.

[@kpshenoy23]

Valid

[@pelandolickasshole8715]

Well

[@otakuhunter4817]

💯👌

[@rohanshah8808]

Shaka hates messi... It's pretty obvious..and nobody gives a f.. about shaka's opinions...(cause his hate overshadows logic) Messi = GOAT

[@messiisapig2478]

Fifa =goat

[@saswatsenapati7870]

Clearly you saw there interview for the first time 😂😂 Saka was only one who told arg will win. He absolutely loved Messi and wants all in heart to win world cup so that there will be no debate

[@omairsh8]

Calm down, everyone has their own opinion. I don’t get why people get so angry. Messi is the best imo but I’m not losing sleep if someone doesn’t agree

[@ASAPHMARK]

He doesn't hate Messi but clearly obsessed with the world cup

[@mrArod376]

Let’s go! Can’t wait for tomorrows game

[@DominikRobak-x2l]

Leo 🐐

[@steverealtyandfinance8171]

I don't subscribe to the GOAT discussion but I think that Messi is the best footballer of the present generation.

[@rawthentictruth]

It’s not as simple as to be the best you have to win that sport’s highest honor especially with the game of football. If that’s the analysis then every player on that French team that won the 2018 FWC were better than Messi and Ronaldo. But that’s not how it works. The Netherlands have produced some of football’s greatest but they’ve never won the holy grail

[@2000cx]

Everyone knows deep down in their heart and mind he is the goat but just to create a debate

[@Pendletones77]

Once again, let’s underestimate Argentina

[@kindness765]

Let them undermine them 😂

[@tsdvaks]

So was Alverez!!!

[@Bluebridgeboy23]

Shaka is nervous and regretting he said messi will have have to win the WC to to the greatest

[@samkhraiche1845]

Not sure what Hislop has done in his career to be in a place where he can be this negative of someone like Messi and Arg and be on TV. Funny.

[@kghd2647]

absolutely nothing

[@lt7601]

he is trying to make his name by criticising messi..smart move

[@TenshinhanIsKing]

The best thing about this is that all the teams except France that ESPN FC had ranked higher than Argentina to win the World Cup are all out and Argentina is in the final Brazil, Spain, Germany, England, Netherlands 😂

[@t10ham-burgaz14]

🇵🇹 Portugal was the very best team in the competition and they the media "couch was in on it" refs did everything in their power and influence to get Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal 🇵🇹 out the world cup so it will be easy for Messi and Argentina. France look out for these Messi fan boys ref, they are fing real! Believe that

[@rishovaditya7452]

@@t10ham-burgaz14 Copium. 🤣👌

[@kpshenoy23]

All the teams mentioned have a better roster than Argentina . But Argentina make it up with their unity and doggedness. Argentina definetly were one of the pre tournament favourites

[@17arando]

@@t10ham-burgaz14 Good to see a loyal fan, but mate, literally no one thinks Portugal were one of the best teams in the tournament. They're pretty good, but they weren't considered a serious threat to even make the final let alone win.

[@uchennaani4023]

Messi will win another ballon d or

[@desertghost6026]

South American players are built different.

[@suryac850]

of course Frank will say he wants Croatia in the final because they are easier to face than Argentina.

[@Samplefive1966]

I don't want Shaka to go with Argentina because they will not win

[@saptarshichowdhury3697]

🇫🇷 Gonna humble PENGENTINA AND POCKET PESSI

[@DandbDandb]

that black guy showcases how poor is the level of the so called pundits...he is a tear

[@yesmyninja6850]

has shaka ever won the world cup 🧐🤔

[@lt7601]

He played for west ham and criticising messi haaha

[@Yesterdayrose2811]

😂😂😂😂

[@HUDUR_Gaming]

Where is Saudi Arabia 😂🤣😂🤣

[@messiisapig2478]

They are giving fifa lady payment for messi win

[@vb2388]

@@messiisapig2478 If you think this WC is rigged for Messi then the 3 peat of UCLs was rigged for Real Madrid 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@iva-ox2qn]

Praise be to Yeshua Elohim the true God , a victory be dedicated to him the creator of universe and mankind.

[@AG-ob6sz]

Super computer.. FIFA 2022 simulation... Have Argentina to win.. n the simulations have proven to be right over the past years

[@Flashh2124]

DIMAAA MAGREEB 🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦

[@Nana-bv1md]

I do not subscribe to a definite Goat because it is very positional,but Attacking wise Messi is the 🐐 GOAT🐐,cr7 is second.

[@saptarshichowdhury3697]

Mbappe gonna OWN THEM, ALONG WITH GIROUD GRIEZMAN DEMBELE Lori's Varane Kounde upemacano PESSi GHOSTING as usual on final imp matches along with emi Alvarez

[@amitk79]

Argentina has to lose. Else how will they keep the Stupid debate about who being greatest alive.

[@domx-2737]

Croatia got this far by being good defensively, BUT for some reason Croatia decided to be offensive and give so much space to Argentina. Their coach is to be blamed for sure!!

[@chidiebereukpabi9346]

Exactly.

[@vb2388]

Actually they were playing very well until the first goal…then they completely lost concentration on the 2nd goal and the 3rd goal was just Messi brilliance, The Best Defender in this World Cup also had no answer to that 3rd goal

[@domx-2737]

@@vb2388 I agree, but Croatia's coach changed his tactics that used to focus on defense like Morocco, instead he wanted to push forward which made Argentina have counter attacks.

[@piyushsharma5177]

who cares what shaka says..

[@kghd2647]

facts

[@domx-2737]

As much as I want for Messi to win the WC, it will be very hurtful to see Argentina lose in the final and witnessing Ronaldo, Messi and Modric go empty handed. I would say Argentina will lose in the final because Argentina relies too much on Messi. I wish he could win it though

[@AT-vq6nu]

He will win it don't worry trust me

[@abdirisaqjacda9305]

He won

[@deenmtine9472]

I bet Gay Burley (Craig) Aka world's biggest hater is locked in a room rocking a chair, crying somewhere

[@t10ham-burgaz14]

The ref is a fing thief to steel the game for argentina... that wasn't a PK that PK kills the game it was too obvious to the Croatian team the fef was there to let argentina win and they see no hope thereafter. That PK killed their spirits. The game was over after that.

[@messiisapig2478]

Like pepe said might as well five trophy to Argentina now . People aren’t stupid only delusional Messi fans won’t admit it

[@tlangelanishikwambana8596]

The game was over after a 1 - 0 lead🤣😂😂😂🤧 People say dumb things when hurt

[@tylerdurden4121]

Stop crying😭...save your tears

[@vb2388]

If you think this WC is rigged for Messi then the 3 peat of UCLs was rigged for Real Madrid 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@topspot7329]

I am so sorry that u r hurt...just stop watching social media for few weeks and you will get better in time

[@RobertSmith-up9rz]

Messi is the only player doing things in this team, the rest is just your average bench warming club players.

[@kennyobrienaiti]

Messi scores 4 goals in final and they lose 5-4, no GOAT. They win 1 nil and he is sent off after 4 mins. GoAT. 💩

[@Yesterdayrose2811]

Exactly

[@joebb3577]

Was Messi tested for substance?

[@jes8619]

So Messi made magic ...sorry did i watch another game ??? Alvarez won the penalty messi scored , scored with an insane run and then the tap in seal off the game yet PUNDITS are all messi ...pure bias ...shocking!!!

[@TenshinhanIsKing]

Cry harder

[@messiisapig2478]

Boooo hooo there happy?

[@abdulmalikodarteylamptey3246]

If u continue like dis u will get heart attack, stop crying1😂😂

[@krishancurtis450]

PSG 💀💀

[@landebrown5466]

🇫🇷

[@jaman5047]

Ha ha these so called analysis, especially Shaka. He has 0 ball knowledge

[@FoshoTheOne]

Alvarez carrying Messi through the tournament is the funniest thing ever..

[@KoshieTCG]

Sure is because messi providing him multiple assists is not the reason alvarez has 4 goals😂😂🤡🤡

[@Mezzala9]

What's funny is you actually think this. You laugh at your made up scenario while we all laugh at you

[@happy_boy8506]

Poor guy. I think u feel better after making up lies in internet comments

[@knandez7__821]

Don't worry, Ronaldo is cleaning his boots from home getting beat by a nation that has no significant pedigree until this world cup and 🙏 Messi lose and not win this world cup otherwise he's moving away from the best and. Cry more.

[@Leafs505]

Anthying to discredit Messi it’s insane

[@TrinityBoy1966]

Let him play on the pitches they had 30 years ago !😊

[@dahbay5801]

He did play on those pitches 30 years ago.

[@juanestebankruhsanmguel1960]

Tecnically he did play on those pitches, remember he was born in 87

[@happy_boy8506]

He got scouted there too

[@maldini3184]

@@happy_boy8506 😂

[@maldini3184]

🤡

[@foquslab8843]

FIFA wants Messi to win the World Cup

[@tlangelanishikwambana8596]

We all do... 😊😊

[@pravinrbnair327]

Who told you that…obviously not your brain.

[@anshul5705]

Everyone. It will ultimately benefit football.

[@vb2388]

If you think this WC is rigged for Messi then the 3 peat of UCLs was rigged for Real Madrid 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@foquslab8843]

@@pravinrbnair327 ??

[@danieleoduro3829]

Messi is just talent no work ethic!!!! Just because the media post penaldo in the gym. This guy is fit at 35!!! And to keep that for almost 15 years at this level is WORK!!! What other arguments do you have penaldo fan Boyz!!

[@TheCoomar007]

Croatia should be given a corner, but the dumb referee didn't give, n immediately turn into Argentina's attack n they get a penalty that clearly wasn't. No review on VAR. Messi scored, n everybody praising him to be 🐐. What a rigged up match. Total fack up..

[@Leafs505]

How is it rigged that was a pentaly all day

[@TheCoomar007]

@@Leafs505 that is not a penalty

[@messiisapig2478]

Rigged tournament not Mia game only team ever to get one penalty per game and how have they played 😂 god what a joke there should be asterisk beside their trophy win

[@AgbaegoGmailCom]

Penaldo fan boy crying every where

[@KatesMediaArchive]

France going to make the world cry 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵

[@antonijelucius1010]

Go France 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇨🇵

[@jhamdan2012]

Did they reach the final? Last time I checked it says they haven't played the semi final game yet

[@messiisapig2478]

Nope it fixed it will be Morocco so Messi has it easy and hisfans can cream themselves

[@KatesMediaArchive]

@@jhamdan2012 as I said thru going to make the world cry 🤣🤣🤣

[@Adriatic880]

FIFA wants Messi to win this world cup. At each match from the beginning of the championship, Argentina was awarded with penalty. Messi plays for PSG and the owner of PSG is a sheikh from Qatar. That Sheik is one of the biggest sponsors of football. These are the facts and unfortunately there is no honesty at FIFA...

[@ricksanches3664]

Cry😂😂