On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Lionel Messi produced another of his many magical moments as Argentina walloped Croatia to qualify for the finals of the 2022 World Cup.
The Argentine skipper scored a goal from the spot but his assist for Argentina’s third goal is what got legendary footballers, celebrities and fans talking on social media.
Messi picked the ball from a few yards from the center circle and took on Croatian defender Gvardiol who looked to have checked him out until two dummies left him in the shadows of Messi who fed the ball to Alvarez who tapped it home for his second and Argentina's third of the night.
Messi’s performance on the night won him the Man of the Match award, his fourth of the tournament and social media users could not have enough of him.
The social media praise was led by legendary Liverpool centre back, Jamie Carragher who tweeted ‘Messi’ with a symbol of a goat.
Luka Modric who was Messi’s opponent on the night also could not hide his admiration in the post-match interview as he wished him well in the final and hoped that he wins the trophy to cement his status as the best player.
Modric is quoted to have said “I hope Lionel Messi wins this World Cup, he is the best player in history and he deserves it.”
His performance also won him the applause of Brazilian and Barcelona great, Ronaldinho, who was captured in the stands applauding Messi after he scored the penalty.
Messi is believed to be having a last dance at the World Cup and will hope to bow out with the trophy when Argentina meet either of Morocco or France in the final of the 2022 World Cup on Sunday, December 18, 2022.
Ronaldinho watching Messi ball: pic.twitter.com/vHweAoWQa9
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) December 13, 2022
#Messi???? the best there has ever been!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 13, 2022
LIONEL MESSI WINS HIS 4TH MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD AT THE 2022 WORLD CUP ????????
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 13, 2022
No player has more. pic.twitter.com/5CIpjj45ik
If you’re a coach, you tell Gvardiol that he did very well. Stood his ground, didn’t put his foot in, forced him outside, made sure not to foul. Everything you’re taught to do.
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) December 14, 2022
But then, in a few seconds, Lionel Messi destroys your entire belief systempic.twitter.com/u8eO1PNGhJ
At 35. Still the best. Vamos Messi!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/4eR7vz3WS9
— Pablo Alsina (@PabloAlsina) December 14, 2022
MESSIanic.
— Ayub Sh Abdikadir (@AyubAbdikadir) December 14, 2022
#Messi???? pic.twitter.com/dsv2JIf0Vf
Here's what Messi did to soon-to-be-worlds-most-expensive defender Gvardiol from the best possible angle. https://t.co/ra9LViliXz
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) December 14, 2022
Messi even has Brazilians hoping he wins the World Cup pic.twitter.com/9A2H0w6y6a
— R ???????? (@Lionel30i) December 14, 2022
No sportsperson will ever have this much pull. Messi ????pic.twitter.com/39qgHyFiz0
— Ad????it ???????? (@rebelmoonzs) December 14, 2022
no one doubts Ronaldo and what he’s done, an amazing goalscorer. There’ve been many great goalscorers throughout history and he’s near the top. But Messi is difficult to compare because he does more than just goalscoring and the best thing is to just watch him play. pic.twitter.com/I14bdWypQt
— ????????????¹︎⁰︎ (@HM_Dominic) December 14, 2022
