by ‘A farewell worthy of genius’: Ronaldo hails Lionel Messi after Argentina’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France capped his glittering career
Brazil legend Ronaldo hailed Lionel Messi after finally winning the World Cup following Argentina’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France.
Competing in his fifth World Cup, it looked like Messi was set to win football’s greatest international tournament in one stroll when Argentina scored two goals before half-time, but they were overtaken by two strikes from Kylian Mbappe in as many minutes to take the game. in overtime.
Messi scored his second goal of the game to put Argentina back in front, only for Mbappe to complete his hat trick by equalizing from the spot to force penalties. Despite Mbappe’s best efforts, France failed in the shootout, handing Messi his crowning glory.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory by beating France on penalties in the final
Ronaldo praised Messi on Twitter and believes he deserves the win
Brazil and Argentina are widely recognized as one of football’s greatest rivalries, but Ronaldo thinks that goes out the window when it comes to Messi, and he has praised the 35-year-old after his last triumph.
“This guy’s football throws all rivalry right around the corner. I saw a lot of Brazilians – and people around the world – supporting Messi in this electrifying final,’ Ronaldo wrote on Twitter.
“A farewell worthy of the genius who, well beyond being a star of the World Cup, was captain of an era.
“Congratulations Messi!”
Ronaldo feels Brazil-Argentina rivalry is going out the window when it comes to Messi
Messi saved his best World Cup for last, scoring seven goals during the tournament, including two in the final.
That’s more than he’s managed in his four previous World Cups combined – he finishes with 13 goals in five World Cups.
That leaves him two goals behind Ronaldo, who scored 15 goals in 19 World Cup appearances and won the tournament in 2002.
He was also part of the 1994 team that triumphed in the United States, but didn’t play a single minute.
After winning everything at club level, Messi has now won the Copa America and the World Cup in the space of 18 months, and he was voted Qatar’s best player after his outstanding tournament.
Messi won the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup
