World Cup 2022: Fans Want GOAT Debate Ended After Unreal Messi Assist

• Messi became Argentina's all-time top scorer at the World Cup in the semi-finals
• The 35-year-old waved his magic wand for the umpteenth time with a great assist
• Argentina will face the winner of France and Morocco in the final on December 18

Lionel Messi left football fans gushing over his timelessness, after the Argentina captain gave credence to why he should be considered the greatest footballer ever to have graced the sport.

Messi produced his characteristic mercurial magic in Argentina's one-sided semi-final victory against Croatia, scoring and providing an assist.

Despite suffering a setback in their opening game against Saudi Arabia, La Albiceleste have steamrolled their way to the finals of the World Cup under the guidance of the indefatigable Messi.

In one of Argentina's semi-final highlight reels, the 35-year-old literally sent Croatia defender Gvardiol to the cleaners before serving Julian Alvarez on a plate, to tuck home the third and final goal for the South Americans.

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Football

Messi produces a stunning assist

According to Givemesport, Messi picked up the ball just past the halfway line and took on Josko Gvardiol, one of the best young defenders in world football.

He made his way into the box, got to the byline after turning Gvardiol and then pulled the ball back to Alvarez, who could not miss.

Messi's assist: fans react

Following the end of the game, fans trooped to social media to praise the veteran striker, while calling for an end to the never-ending Messi-Ronaldo debate.

@SamuelloGh tweeted:

"End the GOAT conversation immediately!"

@Jesayowen01 added:

"Greatest ever no cap."

@follow_Liltyga also waxed lyrical on Messi:

"Other players have a prime but Messi has different kinds of primes. The goalscorer prime. The assist king prime. The dribbler Prime. The playmaker prime. The Freekicks' prime.The "complete "player prime."

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Football

@xtreme_nta asked rhetorically:

"He's Ending the GOAT debate before retirement. what else do you think?"

@abduI_m_abdul4 wrote:

"I am so glad the forced Messi - Ronaldo debate was ended during my lifetime. Now I get to just enjoy Messi's greatness without having to worry about comparisons. I am safe in the knowledge that my grandkids will grow up in a world where "Messi = GOAT" is just an undisputed fact."

Messi pulls off unreal assist

Lionel Messi produced a stunning assist for teammate Alvarez, in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final clash with Croatia on Tuesday evening.

The 35-year-old gave La Albiceleste the lead over the Vatreni in the 34th minute, as he smashed home a penalty.

Alvarez doubled the South American side’s advantage five minutes later, then made it 3-0 with 21 minutes remaining.

Messi chalks enviable milestone

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi made World Cup history once again, following his goal against Croatia in the Mundial semi-finals.

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Football

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been in sensational form in Qatar, as his country chases a third world football champion title.

Messi has already bagged five goals so far in the tournament, as he continues to shatter records at the global competition.