Tiger Woods hails Lionel Messi as the ‘greatest football player he’s ever seen’

Golfing icon Tiger Woods had weighed in on football’s debate over who is the greatest player of all time as he hailed Lionel Messi ahead of Argentina’s World Cup victory.

The Argentine scored twice in the World Cup final at the Lusail stadium, adding to his tally of seven for the tournament, and became the first player to win the Player of the Tournament award twice in the victory of his team over France on penalties.

Messi cemented his status as the greatest of all time for many fans on Sunday after finally lifting the only trophy that had eluded him throughout his sensational career.

Tiger Woods (left) hailed Lionel Messi (right) as the greatest football player of all time

However, another sports great, Woods, had already named the No.10 as the best in football.

Ahead of the World Cup final, Woods, who was competing in the PNC Championship this weekend, told the PGA Tour: “He’s the greatest football player I’ve ever seen, I mean, you say Pelé and Maradona but I still think what Messi is doing with the ball is stupid, it’s stuck to his foot.

‘He makes people miss [and] with his left foot, many goalkeepers look bad.

Messi entered the 2022 competition in Qatar qualifying it as his final World Cup, but after the victory there were already signs that he, like Woods, wasn’t quite ready to give up just yet. .

The Argentinian clinched the only trophy that had eluded him throughout his illustrious career

There were suggestions that Messi could refrain from playing for his country if he won the World Cup, retiring at the top level.

But speaking after getting his hands on the trophy, Messi said: “No, I’m not going to retire from the national team.” I want to continue playing as a World Cup champion in the Argentina shirt.

After Sunday’s match, Messi played 172 times for Argentina and scored 98 goals after his double goal against France.

Messi scored his first from the penalty spot to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. Angel di Maria made it 2-0 in the first half and Argentina looked set for a smooth win when he completed a quick passing motion with a clinical finish.

But with 10 minutes to go, French striker Kylian Mbappe – Messi’s teammate at PSG – turned things around with two goals in two minutes, including one from the penalty spot himself.

Messi led the jubilant celebrations with his teammates after the final whistle on Sunday

That pushed the game into extra time and for a moment it felt like Argentina’s momentum had slipped away.

Messi struck again, from close range, in the 108th minute but a final twist was yet to come.

Mbappe scored his hat-trick after a handball in the French penalty area and the game ended in a shootout.

Messi and Mbappe scored their shots on goal but Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.

Woods tied for eighth with his 13-year-old son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship on Sunday

Meanwhile, Woods tied for eighth with his 13-year-old son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship on Sunday.

Starting the day two shots off the lead, 13-year-old Woods and Charlie rode the course in Tiger’s signature red.

But the duo suffered foot injuries ahead of this weekend’s competition in Florida and couldn’t secure first place. They finished under 20, six strokes behind eventual winner Team Singh.