Argentine football star Lionel Messi has been named the best striker in the history of the FIFA World Cup. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) officially declared Messi the best striker in World Cup history. The title was awarded based on his performance and achievements in the tournament.
Messi has played 26 matches in World Cups, scoring 13 goals and providing 8 assists. In 2022, he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar and was named the tournament's best player.
FIFA experts highlighted Messi's technique, dribbling speed, passing accuracy, and goal-scoring ability. They compared Messi to legendary footballers such as Pelé and Maradona.
Messi is not the first footballer to receive this honor. Previously, Brazilian Pelé and Argentine Diego Maradona were also recognized. However, FIFA states that Messi's statistics and achievements surpass theirs.
Messi's best World Cup performance was the 2022 final, where he scored two goals and led Argentina to a victory over France. This win gave Argentina its first World Cup title in 36 years.
Messi currently plays for Inter Miami. He may participate in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. If he participates, it will be his fifth World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Messi, calling him "the greatest footballer of all time." Infantino noted Messi's immense contribution to football.
Messi's title has caused a stir in the football world. Many football experts and fans supported the decision. However, some experts argued that Messi's World Cup statistics are lower than Pelé's.
Pelé played 14 World Cup matches and scored 12 goals. Maradona scored 8 goals in 21 matches. Although Messi's numbers are higher, some experts believe Pelé and Maradona had a greater impact on the World Cup.
Nevertheless, FIFA made the decision based on Messi's overall World Cup performance and achievements. Messi is the Argentine footballer with the most goals in World Cup history.
Messi expressed joy at receiving the title. On his Instagram, he wrote: "This is a great honor for me. I always try to show my best for my team."
This title is another achievement in Messi's football career. He has won the Ballon d'Or 7 times. He has also won 4 UEFA Champions Leagues, 10 Spanish La Liga titles, and 2 Copa América titles.
In 2026, Messi will be 39 years old. He is still playing at a high level. His contract with Inter Miami runs until 2025. However, he may extend it to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The football world eagerly awaits Messi's performance at the next World Cup. If he participates, it could be his last World Cup in his career.