Lionel Messi hailed after 3-0 Algeria hat-trick as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Xavi salute | OneFootball

Lionel Messi’s hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria has triggered a global wave of praise, days before he turns 39. Next up is Austria on Monday at 19:00 in Dallas.

“It moves me to watch him play,” said Xavi. “Anyone else would have retired after winning the World Cup in 2022, but he is a born competitor.” The comments were published in The Athletic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played alongside him at Barcelona in 2009-2010, said there will not be another Messi and that everything he does looks natural, adding a further World Cup would simply be another trophy. Emerging Spain star Lamine Yamal said he shows in every game that he is the best in history and that any doubters are being wilful, noting Neymar is his idol but Messi is the best.

On his 200th cap, Messi drew level with Miroslav Klose atop the World Cup scoring chart on 16, moving past Ronaldo Fenômeno. Ronaldo said the statistic shows he has surpassed the rest and that if anyone deserves the World Cup top-scorer title it is Messi, joking he himself had quit by 38 and weighed 120 kilos. Brazil’s president Lula even quipped about signing Messi for Brazil.

Former Brazil striker Careca called it impressive that, despite time passing, Messi remains decisive and reads the game to exploit his gifts, hoping he can continue this run. In Dallas, Argentina fans staged a banderazo at Klyde Warren Park. Lionel Scaloni has Nicolas Tagliafico back and a full squad, but the spotlight will inevitably fall on one shirt.

Source: L'Équipe