Football Legend Reveals the Only Way Lionel Messi Can Seal GOAT Status

• Gary Lineker believes Lionel Messi will be crowned the greatest player ever if he wins his first World Cup and third overall for Argentina
• Argentina is bidding to win their third World Cup in Qatar 2022, which is also Lionel Messi’s last World Cup appearance for his country
• Argentina has been paired alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C of the competition, scheduled to kick off on November 20

England icon Gary Lineker has revealed why Lionel Messi needs to win the World Cup to become the greatest footballer of all time.

In as much as the achievements in Messi's career might have reached dizzying heights, the question still beckons – who is the real GOAT?

It has been the debate of the modern sporting age, but many purists will not look beyond Brazilian icon Pele and Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

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Many of the Manchester United faithful may say George Best, while others may say the genius of Johan Cruyff both on the pitch and in the dugout sets him above the rest.

There is also the debate of the Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo comparison which has lingered even in the twilight of their careers, with opinions on who is the better among the two sharply divided.

The Argentine and Portuguese have achieved heights that few people have reached in their careers.

From personal awards and achievements to their general contribution to the teams they have played for, they are a beauty to watch and a blessing to football fans over the past two decades.

Messi and Ronaldo are hoping to fulfill their dreams of becoming world champions and will have a last try in Qatar.

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But Lineker says a desert triumph for the diminutive No 10 would be a fitting accolade late in his career.

“Winning the World Cup would probably put any argument anyone has ever had to bed so, in that sense, probably Lionel Messi needs to win it [World Cup]," Lineker said, quoted by Irish Examiner.

"People talk about how [Diego] Maradona must be better because he won the World Cup; well, I don’t think that’s quite the way you should judge things,” he added.

Winning the Copa América has lifted a weight off Messi's international failure and there is a feeling he will have his best World Cup in Qatar.

Messi has failed to win the World Cup in four previous attempts, with the Argentina captain bagging a silver medal at the 2014 edition in Brazil, as per Sports Man Height.

Argentina is pitted against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

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Messi names 5 cup contenders

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has singled out five countries he believes are favourites to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Up to 32 teams are scheduled to compete for the global football showpiece when the tournament kicks off this month.

A number of world football heavyweights will be looking to win the prestigious trophy, with France - who won the last edition in Russia - keen to defend the crown.