FIFA World Cup final Messi

Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi fights for the ball with France’s midfielder #25 Eduardo Camavinga during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

World Cup winner says that Messi can never be the GOAT

World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf believes Pele is in a league of his own despite Lionel Messi’s World Cup heroics.

FIFA World Cup final Messi

Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi fights for the ball with France’s midfielder #25 Eduardo Camavinga during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf believes Pele is in a league of his own despite Lionel Messi’s World Cup heroics.

Leboeuf opines that Pele’s involvement in three World Cup wins sets him a rung above the likes of Messi.

Messi can never be the GOAT

Leboeuf let his voice be heard in a recent interview with Safe Betting Sites.

“Messi is undoubtedly a great player and he definitely deserved to win the World Cup. Considering his incredible career it’s something he’s certainly earned. He was also one of the few Argentina players who showed humility and respect towards their opponents after the match.

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“But in terms of who is the GOAT, I think if there can only be one it has to be Pele. He won the World Cup three times, the first time at the age of 17 years old. This was at the time where you had no medical or physical training sessions. The guy was simply a monster. He only played in Brazil so he couldn’t get the Ballon d’Or because it was only given to European players at that time. 

“So I don’t even know how we can compare anybody else with Pele. Yes, Messi is a great player, as were Maradona and Platini and Johan Cryuff. But the greatest of the greatest in that position is Pele because he won it three times.”

Frenchman slams Martinez antics

Messi
Argentina’s goalkeeper #23 Emiliano Martinez poses with the FIFA Golden Glove award during the trophy ceremony at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

Emi Martinez saved two penalties to help win Argentina their third World Cup but Leboeuf believes the Aston Villa goalkeeper needs to grow up. 

Martinez was filmed singing about Mbappe and making a lewd gesture with his Golden Gloves trophy after the match.

Leboeuf said: “I was saying good things about Emiliano Martinez before the final and I think he’s a great goalkeeper. But his behaviour? Oh, my God, grow up man! What are you doing in front of the world? Playing with your trophy. Are you stupid, or what? And what the players did afterwards in the dressing room [singing about Mbappe]? Come on, the guy scored four goals against you. What are you teasing him for?

World Cup Messi
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony after the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. – Argentina won in the penalty shoot-out. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

“Martinez played with Tchouaméni when he threw the ball away and made him go to pick it up [in the shootout]. I would have gone to the spot and said I will wait for somebody to give me the ball. But overall Martinez is an exceptional goalkeeper. It’s crazy to see that he was a substitute for Arsenal for so many years. We can all see his talent now. I don’t like his behaviour but what a goalkeeper.”