Lionel Messi has been labelled a genius after he guided Argentina to defeat Croatia 3-0 and progress to the final of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
The 35-year-old Messi put La Albiceleste ahead at Lusail Stadium before 22-year-old Julian Alvarez added the second and third.
Messi's progress to the final has rekindled a debate over who is the greatest between him and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This after the former Manchester United forward failed to inspire Portugal as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Morocco in the quarter-finals.
The outcome of the game has sparked debate on social media with supporters of Messi and Ronaldo going at it.
Everything he does in a game sets him a record, absolutely genius when others were celebrating a goal they did not score, Messi is doing the extraordinary. The doubting Thomas in the world will still not believe it 😜 - Stephensen Justice Ansah
Now I can say Messi is a complete player than Ronaldo. - Philip Anderson
I'm a Ronaldo fan but I can say Messi is the real GOAT🐐 - Edward Y. Boakye
Messi is a beast, the god of football. - Jonathan Apukum
Messi is the King of football🤗🤗🤗😂 now pass Ronaldo 🤣😋😋😋😋 - Ishaq Adam Muhammad
Messi is the GOAT of football. He always does the extraordinary with his feet... It is a total disrespect to compare him to anyone🐐❤ - football secret
Debate-settled, Messi is the real GOAT of football. - Sunny Adeoye Balogun
What else do you want Messi to prove he is one of the best? - Tafadzwa Watchboss
If people still have doubts about who is the goat they should just stop watching football. Messi is the GOD of football 🔥🔥🐐 - Wiseone quotes
The undisputed and undeniable G.O.A.T👑 - Ishmail Kargbo
Greatest of all time 👑🙌🙏❤️ - Emma Nuel
I finally surrender; he is the TRUE DEFINITION OF A G.O.A.T 🐐❤️ - Qua Dri
I now know why Cristiano Ronaldo cried bitterly after eviction... It's because of Messi. - Jaspan Dedonsco
If it was Ronaldo, he would just fall down to earn a penalty. - Sawan Dankyi
If he is not assisting he is scoring, and remember he can do both!! He will surely be remembered as the greatest footballer playing for Argentina!!❤🔥🌊
#LM10 - Collen Giyafa
Just one game left and the glory will return to the King! The King has done everything and it would be a shame if he doesn’t get a throne. Messi is a blessing to the world of football. Protect this man and let’s respect what he has done. - Ajay Yadav
You are not ashamed of the teams you are mentioning… these are cheap teams that everyone knew Argentina 🇦🇷 could beat … but they will never win the trophy. - Nana Kwesi
It's great to have this guy playing football, no argument, but he can't take all this applauds if he wins this cup... I tell you he will be a god... God forbid... It won't be good. His cabinet should lack a World Cup trophy to prove he is still humane. - Chibueze Ashiegbu
This is Messi's tournament no doubt... But I just pray... France or Morocco give them the better shock of their lives at the final...😏 I go for France. - Solomon Ik
Ronaldo fans has now moved from supporting Croatia to supporting France. Traveling kids😁 - Olayinka A Aremu
From supporting Saudi Arabia to Poland to Australia to Netherlands, Portugal, and now Croatia, life is really hard for some fan base these days 😁😁 - Sp An Ky Mills
Another sleepless night for Ronaldo fans. I'm getting seriously worried for their health 😭 - Muhammad Abduljaleel Tyabo
Alvarez scored a brace and won the penalty that scored, but it is Messi that is receiving all the recognition. - Evangelist Kelechukwu Obi
Why is no one talking about Julian Alvarez? The kid played better than Messi, created a penalty, and scored a brace🤔 - Emmanuel Nicholas Ahene-Akwa
Is very good they benched Martinez this Alvarez is very good. - Jr Boss
Alvarez deserves this spotlight. Though Messi did great work. - Engr Louis Awuloha
Julian Alvarez deserves today's man of the match award. - Rowland Alozie
Why not praise Alvarez instead of Messi? His picture should've been on the headline. - Steaven J Sunny
Yes, it's true Alvarez deserves it, they want to use this world cup to draw a conclusion on this GOAT issue. - Joe Minutes
That is a cheat, that is not a penalty that destroyed the team. - Esther Baidoo
I must agree that Messi was impressive in this semi-final but he scored a fake penalty. - Serge Christian
This penalty decision was too harsh because the ball had been lifted over the goalkeeper by Alvarez while he was trying to block it.
Messi has decided to lose it in the final that's too painful. - Godwin A. Apullah
He has scored his last penalty in this tournament. He will not score any goal again. - Filler Ellembelle
France 🇫🇷 💪
Messi did nothing exceptional, we saw these from so many good retired players. - David Salami
Messi, Messi did nothing extraordinary!! You just hyping a simple thing. - Mustapha Hajj
Alvarez will be not given a credit... he created a penalty and he just completed his brace but still, you say Messi this Messi that. - Sphephelo Mbhali
Scoring penalty goals? After all, how many goals has he scored? - Filler Ellembelle
💯% optimistic Leo Messi and the Argentina national team will lift the World Cup trophy... no making noise, this is the real GOAT... lifting the trophy means Messi has won all titles in the round leather game & no rival... - Joseph Aikoriogie
This time around Messi must take the trophy home. - Kelvin Ugwu
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