"In a category of his own": Ibrahimovic hails Messi after Argentina icon breaks FIFA WC goals record
Texas, June 23
Former football player and legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed Lionel Messi's feat on breaking the all-time FIFA World Cup goal record, stating that the Argentinian ace is in a "category of his own", towering over even legends like Pele, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff.
Messi's brace not only won his side their clash against Austria, but also brought him above Miroslav Klose (16 goals) as the leading goal-scorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup, with 18 goals. He also equalled the record of France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho by putting his name on the scoresheet in his sixth successive WC game.
Following the match, Ibrahimovic spoke on Fox Sports as quoted by Goal.com, "I do not think there is any debate left now. When you become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, win the thing, dominate it across different generations, and keep producing at 38 years of age, what more do people want?"
"We spend years comparing him to everyone else, but even the greats before him cannot match the complete body of work. Pele, [Diego] Maradona, [Johan] Cruyff, whoever you want to name, they were all brilliant, but Messi's numbers, longevity, and trophies put him in a category of his own," he added.
Messi's double came after a hat-trick against Algeria in the campaign opener, which takes his goal tally to five. With his first WC hat trick against Algeria and breaking the world record for most goals in the next game, the World Cup-winning superstar is grabbing the majority of the headlines. The former AC Milan and Barcelona star, though, who played for Sweden, offered a light-hearted comparison between himself and Messi, pointing out that he has not scored in two World Cups.
"Five goals in two games. I have zero goals in two World Cups," Ibrahimovic added.
"So, I am happy for him, and I hope he continues. His birthday is in a couple of days, so let him enjoy, because we're all enjoying him by seeing him play so, amazing, just amazing, no words," he continued.
"People can talk about Argentina as a collective, their tactics and the way they control games, but there always seems to be one constant when they need something special, Lionel Messi," he signed off.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm not a huge football fan but even I know Messi is special. My husband watches every match and we were both cheering when he broke that record. Zlatan is right—eighteen goals in World Cups is insane! What's even crazier is that Messi is 38 and still doing this. That's like some Indian cricketers playing until 40 and still scoring centuries. Respect where it's due.
Brilliant from Messi and great words from Ibrahimovic! But let's not forget Pele and Maradona played in eras with tougher defenders and fewer matches. Still, Messi's longevity and consistency are unmatched. As a football lover in India, I've seen Messi evolve from a young prodigy at Barcelona to this ageless legend. He truly is in a category of his own. 🐐
I have to respectfully disagree a bit here. Yes, Messi is incredible, but comparing across generations is always tricky. Pele won three World Cups and Maradona almost single-handedly won one. Records are meant to be broken, but legends don't lose their status. That said, Zlatan's humility here is refreshing—love how he pokes fun at his own WC record! Still, Messi is top 3 all-time for sure.
Imagine being 38 and still breaking records at the World Cup! My grandfather, who is 75 and from Kerala, still watches every Argentina match just for Messi. He says Messi reminds him of the joy of football before all the commercialism. I think Zlatan's comment about Messi being "in a category of his own" is spot on. And that line "zero goals in two World Cups" was hilarious! 😂
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