Goad me if you want – I rest my case that Messi’s the GOAT

THE World Cup ended more than a week ago but one of the most talked about subjects remain the debate about who’s the greatest of all time (GOAT).

For me, after watching Lionel Messi hoist the game’s biggest prize in Qatar, the Argentina captain is unquestionably the GOAT.

But some of my friends still disagree and tell me that my argument for Messi’s case is far-fetched. That riled me, to the point where I shared a meme which featured the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry.

In that video, Tom whacks Jerry with a paper containing words indicating Cristiano Ronaldo is great for winning the Euro 2016 and the Nations League.

Then comes Spike the Bulldog, who hits Tom with a bigger piece of paper highlighting the Copa America, Finalissima and World Cup tournaments won by Messi.

But that’s just one example.

There were many other memes touching on who’s actually the greatest of all time.

To me, it’s all subjective. People will have their own choices and the reasons for them, and we can agree or disagree. And I guess that’s the beauty of sports – the spirit of debating and celebrating these extraordinary athletes that inspire so much drama and passion.

I bet Messi and Ronaldo themselves will be chuckling if they were to check out these memes. But as the GOAT debate goes on, my decision on Messi is definite.

To put it in simple terms, he was born to play the game. He was sent to Earth for that reason – just like his great predecessor and compatriot Diego Maradona.

Only difference is Messi had a more wholesome image than the 1986 World Cup hero. There isn’t much controversy surrounding him and his consistency is astounding, as he conjures up moments of magic year in, year out.

To date, my father and I still debate over whether Messi or Maradona is the greatest. He loves Maradona and still thinks he’s the best ever. I also have an aunt who says Pele is the greatest.

I’ve to thank these players because they have made my relationships with my loved ones even stronger.

Even my mother, who doesn’t watch football often, would join in the argument at times.

In Malaysia, we always discuss the rivalry between Lin Dan and Datuk Lee Chong Wei in badminton. That’s kind of akin to the Ronaldo vs Messi debate – we have one athlete who is supremely talented while the other had to train hard to be an ace in his craft.

In the final analysis, we must accept that Lin Dan is the greatest of all time, due to his two back-to-back Olympic gold medals and five world championships.

As these ultimate prizes eluded Chong Wei, he has to settle for being second best but his overall achievements still make him one of our biggest sporting icons.

We also hold Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and Datuk Nicol David in high esteem. Thanks to them, the Malaysian flag flies high on the world stage.

Nicol, for me, is the GOAT in squash because she has won everything the sport offers. Her success has also inspired more girls to take up the sport and excel in it. And the likes of Aifa Azman and S. Sivasangari have what it takes to emulate her.

As for Azizulhasni, he still has the Olympics gold in Paris 2024 to chase to seal an exemplary career, where he has bounced back from many setbacks to get back on top again.

Not unlike Messi, who persevered till his fifth World Cup before he could get his hands on football’s holy grail.

But even before the case concerning the GOAT is closed, many pundits are already discussing who are the players most likely to succeed Messi and Ronaldo.

Top of the list is surely France’s Kylian Mbappe, who finished as top scorer with eight goals at Qatar 2022.

The names of Norway’s Erling Haaland and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior have also been bandied about as future greats.

Only time will tell how far these new stars will go, but one thing’s crystal clear to me – Messi is the GOAT for now and he will be a tough act for any potential successor to follow.

And if anyone disagrees, I’ll be the first to take him or her on in a debate.