Messi May Not Be Soccer’s GOAT for Long
On the stage where the Argentine cemented his claim to being the best ever, his likeliest challenger took a bow.
No higher place.
Photographer: Julian Finney/Getty Images
As one long-standing debate ended at Doha’s Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday night, another one began. Having led Argentina to triumph in the World Cup, Lionel Messi cemented his claim to being the greatest soccer player of all time. But on the field, his opposite number in the defeated French side, Kylian Mbappe, gave notice that he will be a contender for that title one day.
The pair are also at the opposite ends of their careers. Messi, 35, is in sight of the finish line; Mbappe, 23, has a long way to go. And since they play alongside professionally for Paris St. Germain in France’s Ligue 1, the younger man will have opportunities to test himself against the ageing genius on the same stage.