'Lionel Messi evolved once again' says Holger Badstuber, who labels Argentine 'the GOAT' after World Cup win
:focal(145x121:147x119)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2022/07/15/3411067-69701524-310-310.jpg)
Updated 19/12/2022 at 10:43 GMT
Former Bayern Munich and German international Holger Badstuber says Lionel Messi “evolved once again” to lead Argentina to their first World Cup crown since 1986. Messi played a playmaker role, dropping deep into midfield, as well as towards the top of the pitch, which worked for most of the tournament in Qatar. The 35-year-old has also been labelled as "the GOAT" by Badstuber.
Joyful Argentina fans and downbeat France supporters leave Lusail Stadium
Former Germany defender Holger Badstuber believes Lionel Messi "evolved once again" to lead Argentina to World Cup glory and says he is "the GOAT".
The World Cup was the only major piece of silverware missing from Messi’s trophy cabinet after a stunning career.
He scored seven goals in Qatar, including two in the final, which Argentina dramatically won on penalties against defending champions France.
Messi has stated he wants to continue playing for Argentina but has previously said Qatar would be his last World Cup.
“He is the GOAT, the title was his crowning achievement,” Badstuber wrote in his column for Eurosport Germany. “The image of him kissing the World Cup trophy was pure romance. The chosen one, the extra-terrestrial, blessed with galactic abilities, is finally a god. Chapeau!
“He has also succeeded because, at 35, he has evolved once again, sacrificing himself for the team and the team for him. I have already dedicated a column to him, and now I see my impression confirmed.”
Comparisons continue to be drawn between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the latter experiencing a nightmare in Qatar as he was dropped to the bench by Fernando Santos in the knockout stage.
Portugal were stunned by Morocco in the quarter-finals and Badstuber thinks this tournament will be remembered for Ronaldo's long-time rival.
“It was Lionel Messi's World Cup, not Cristiano Ronaldo's,” he said. “He put himself in the headlines in a negative way. It started with Manchester United and continued in Qatar.
“However, I'm not going to pick on him like others are currently doing. He continues to be one of the greatest for me, I will continue to give him that respect.
“We as football lovers should be happy and grateful to have been there as CR7 and Messi shaped an era together.”
The final was billed as Messi v Kylian Mbappe and the Paris Saint-Germain stars delivered under the pressure, scoring five of the six goals, plus putting their spot-kicks into the back of the net.
Two goals from Mbappe in two minutes saw France draw level which Badstuber could not praise highly enough.
“Mbappe, what an incredible player he is,” he explained. “It will be no consolation to him that, unlike Messi, the future belongs to him.
“To become top scorer at 23 years old, to score a hat-trick in the World Cup final - that's incredible. Actually, the present already belongs to him too.
“Messi and Mbappe lived up to their reputation as superstars at this tournament and even overperformed, which is another thing that makes their efforts so special.”
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement