For commentators and critics alike, his disappointing stats and a drought of any significant trophy for his national team Argentina will remain the biggest lacuna in his otherwise glittering career
Argentina's Lionel Messi tries to control the ball during their Copa America football tournament group match against Qatar at the Gremio Arena in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 23, 2019. (Photo by Carl DE SOUZA / AFP)
Prior to Argentina’s quarter-final Copa America clash against Venezuela on Saturday (IST), Lionel Messi added yet another vote as the greatest player of all time (often known as G.O.A.T) as he was called the best player ever by Venezuela coach Rafael Dudamel.
The quarterfinal clash between the two teams is scheduled to take place at the iconic Maracanã arena- the same venue where around five years ago Messi confronted presumably the greatest defeat of his career against Germany in FIFA 2014 World Cup final.
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It is to be noted that Venezuela had beaten Argentina 3-1 the last time both the teams had met.
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When everyone has ruled him out, Messi has exhibited his class and genius on the football pitch to produce performances that have strengthened his case for the “G.O.A.T” tag.
For commentators and critics alike, his disappointing stats and a drought of any significant trophy for his national team Argentina will remain the biggest lacuna in his otherwise glittering career.
What’s more, as Argentina are depending more and more on their star player to score, his failure to win a trophy for Argentina will silently creep in when comparing him with the legends of the game like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In any case, the left-footed maestro remains the go-to choice as the G.O.A.T for many managers and former players ahead of Ronaldo.
Venezuela coach, Rafael Dudamel, meanwhile, has gotten on board, asserting that the drought of trophies with his national side, does not change the fact that he is the greatest player in football history.
“For me, he is the best in history, winning or not winning titles with Argentina, that will not take him out of first place on the podium.” he said at a press conference.
“Everyone admires him. It is so much excessive admiration that some are paralyzed, both teammates and coaches. As our rivals, we understand this is the time to compete and admire him only when he plays for his club”, he added.
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