JAKARTA - The success of the Argentine national team to advance to the final round of the 2022 World Cup cannot be separated from the important role of Lionel Messi. The Paris Saint-Germain player is often the determinant of Albiceleste's victory.
This was evident when Argentina won 3-0 over Croatia in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. In that match, Messi scored one goal and one assist.
He was also named the best player in the match, the 10th title he won at the World Cup. La Pulga became the first player to do that.
Inevitably, praise flooded the 35-year-old. In fact, praise came from Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic.
"There's not much to say about Messi's quality. In the last 15 years, he's probably the best player in the world, and again today, he's very good and dangerous," Dalic told a press conference after the game.
"He made the difference in quality for the Argentine team. He had an incredible explosion and technique at a very high level. That was the true Messi we hoped for."
Recognition of Messi's quality also came from Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. He said there was never any doubt that the former Barcelona player was the best player of all time.
"Is Messi the greatest player of all time... sometimes as an Argentine, of course we say it's just because we are Argentine. Maybe it's selfish, but I don't hesitate to say that: he's the best in history," Scaloni said.
"I have a privilege. I feel honored to train him and see him playing. It's something fun because every time you see him playing, it becomes a huge source of motivation for his teammates, people, the whole world. So there's nothing to say about Messi," he added.
Argentine national team player Cristian Romero has the same view. According to him, Messi is an extraordinary player, who is a reference for other players because of his personality.
"He was hit many times and always bounced back and tried harder. He had the power to do that," Romero said.
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