Lionel Messi turned in another night of World Cup magic against Algeria, and the loudest praise came from a man whose scoring record he had just bettered.
That man is Ronaldo — Brazil’s ‘O Fenômeno’ — who watched Messi pick Algeria apart and landed in the same place as almost everyone else who tuned in. The 38-year-old scored all three goals in a 3-0 win, a performance that felt less like a contest and more like a work of art.
For Ronaldo, there is nothing left to argue about. In his eyes Messi is simply the greatest player the game has ever produced, and any remaining doubters need to accept that fact.
Ronaldo declares Lionel Messi the best of all time
Messi’s performance took him to 16 World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose at the very top of the all-time list and one clear of Ronaldo, who had held a share of second place for almost 20 years.
The hat-trick saw Messi surpass Ronaldo to match the all-time record, and rather than bristle at losing his place, the Brazilian responded with grace.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Ronaldo offered an emphatic verdict on the player who had just edged past him in the record books.
He said: “Every time Messi steps onto the pitch, everything else becomes historic and elegant. It’s time for the world to stop hiding and accept the fact that he is the best player of all time.
“He continues to perform every season, and at the World Cup, yet there are still doubts about him. It’s an unforgettable and historic night that will go down in history forever.”
How would YOU describe Lionel Messi after his first ever World Cup hat-trick?
Was that Messi's best ever World Cup performance?
Ronaldo was not alone in his astonishment.
Messi’s display also left Alan Shearer lost for words, the Premier League’s record scorer reduced to a one-word post as he watched the Argentine take over the night.
In truth, the GOAT debate stopped being much of a debate a while ago. But Messi keeps stretching his lead with every piece of magic. Against Algeria, on a night for the history books, he produced some of his most magical work yet.
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