Messi scored the first goal, embroidered rings, prepared shooting positions for others, played with incredible ease and insight. “The best individual performance in the league. He played divinely,” former England international Rio Ferdinand praised the winners’ captain’s performance for the BBC, where many other personalities praised Messi.
The round of 16 against Australia was the 1,000th career match for the Rosario native. Lui scored his 789th goal and scored for the first time in the knockout stage of the world championship. In total he has nine goals at the World Cup, one more than Diego Maradona.
Montage of the World Cup match Netherlands – USAvideo: Czech television
In the 35th minute, Nicolas Otamendi received a sharp pass, the ball bounced a little during the run, but Messi, who was passing, reacted quickly and accurately pushed the ball into the goal.
Not only in this moment has the little setter proved to be a football genius. His solo shot in the second half was deflected in the last minute by the Australian defense and passed to Lautaro Martinez, who shot wide. He avoided his opponents with the ball and played relaxed. In total, he reached six shots, produced 52 passes with a ninety percent success rate, and created four chances for teammates.
“I think Messi knows this is his last World Cup. You can see how much fun he’s having,” said his former Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.
The 35-year-old party leader in the black and white jersey really enjoyed the process. He greeted the stands, laughed, beaming. “They are wonderful sensations. I am really happy to be able to experience these beautiful moments with the fans. I know how many efforts they have made to be here. And I also know that all of Argentina would like to be here. The bond we have between us is wonderful.” said the hero of the match with ten on his back.
“It was a physically demanding match. We are happy to have won and taken the next step,” added Messi after breaking through the top eight at the World Cup in Qatar. “Leo pushes the team forward when we need it. And we have to help him,” said Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
All of Argentina wishes its idol a golden farewell. The legendary Maradona is often said to have brought the South American country to the world throne, but his successor has not yet done so. “This reminds me of 1986 and the team around Maradona. It was difficult to play against the Argentines and beat them, they relied on the magic of Maradona. There are so many similarities. Maradona was at his peak then, Messi is obviously near the end of his career. But can they do it?” summed up former England great forward and now famous glossator Gary Lineker.
“We are lucky to have been at the stadium and seen him. Such a performance. We talked about his abilities, his hunger, his desire. About the ability to run with the ball, where he attracts many opponents and thus frees his teammates. About how he works with space, how he drives the ball when it’s busy around him. He has it all. Every time he catches the ball, the whole stadium stands. No matter where he is on the pitch, the whole stadium stands up ‘, former England forward Alan Shearer described his experiences straight from the match to the BBC.
