World Cup: Messi Honored Brilliantly in Hometown Prior to Croatia Clash

• Lionel Messi has been a crucial part of Argentina’s journey at the Qatar World Cup
• The 35-year-old was named in the starting lineup for the semi-final versus Croatia
• In his home country, a giant shirt bearing his name was flown in the skies of Rosario

Lionel Messi was shown support by his home country in the grandest way possible, ahead of Argentina’s World Cup semi-final clash against Croatia.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been Argentina’s glimmer of hope in Qatar, as the world pays close attention to him in his quest for the elusive World Cup trophy.

After an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, La Albiceleste did brilliantly to pick themselves up to top Group C.

What followed for Argentina was a Round of 16 clash against Australia on December 3, then a crunch quarter-final clash versus the Netherlands.

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In both games, Messi found the back of the net, further cementing his importance to his national team.

Ahead of his nation’s clash with Croatia, images and videos of a giant shirt bearing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s name hit the internet.

According to B/R Football, the giant shirt was flown in the town of Rosario, where Messi was born and raised before he moved to Barcelona as a youngster.

The game against Croatia also bore significance to Messi on individual level, as it put him level with Lothar Matthäus for the most appearances (25) in the competition’s history.

Messi’s last shot at Mundial

As it stands, this could be Messi’s last ever World Cup, and perhaps his biggest chance to win the competition.

With giants such as Germany, England and Brazil all out of the competition, Messi’s Argentina are considered huge favourites to take the trophy home.

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It would be the first time the South American nation were declared World Champions since 1986, when the legendary Diego Maradona guided the nation to glory.

Ronaldo's unwanted World Cup record

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Cristiano Ronaldo's unwanted World Cup record after Portugal's exit from the competition.

The superstar arrived in Qatar with loads of hope to perhaps go all the way with his country, for the most coveted trophy in world football.

Quite incredibly, the superstar’s exit from the World Cup confirmed an odd stat - the striker has never managed a goal in the knockout stages of the competition in five attempts.