Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time, and his opinion would not have changed if even the Argentine superstar had not won the FIFA World Cup 2022 title.
Lionel Messi starred for Argentina at Qatar World Cup 2022 as the 35-year-old finally won the one trophy that had eluded him until then in his trophy-laden career. Lionel Messi was sensational for Argentina at Qatar 2022, scoring seven goals for his nation as they lifted the FIFA World Cup title for the third time in their country’s history.
Argentina defeated France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final. The South American heavyweights clinched the title after defeating France 4-2 in the penalty shootout. Prior to that, the two sides had remained locked in a draw at the end of normal time and extra time.
When the whistle blew to mark the end of the normal time of the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, the scoreline read: Argentina 2:2 France. France had clawed their way back into the game in the second half after Argentina had established a two-goal cushion in the first. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe scored a goal each in the extra time as the scoreline read: Argentina 3:3 France at the end of extra time.
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Pep Guardiola hails ‘greatest of all time’ Lionel Messi
Speaking at a press conference, Pep Guardiola hailed Lionel Messi, who he has coached at FC Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola believes Lionel Messi is the best player of all time and that the FIFA World Cup 2022 title win was the ‘final cherries of an incredible career’.
“Everyone has an opinion but nobody can doubt he’s there as the greatest of all time. For me he’s the best, difficult to understand a player can compete with what he’s done,” Pep Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola added: “The people who saw Pele or Di Stefano or Maradona. The opinions are sentimental, but on the other side, if he wouldn’t won the World Cup, the opinion and my opinion wouldn’t change.
“It’s normal that people depend if you to win or you are evaluated. The final cherries of an incredible career.”
Lionel Messi will turn his attention to Paris Saint-Germain once he returns to training with the French club. He has been stellar for PSG in the 22/23 season and will be aiming to carry that form into the remainder of the season.
