Lionel Messi‘s uninspiring two-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain is about to return to an acrimonious finish with a transfer to hitch long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, simply months after his crowning glory on the 2022 World Cup. For his legions of admirers, the talk about Messi’s proper to be considered the best footballer in historical past was formally put to mattress when he led Argentina to the title in Qatar in December. But his profession on the highest stage in Europe seems to have completed on a low word. Messi was suspended by PSG final week for making an unauthorised journey to Saudi Arabia.

He has scored 31 objectives in 71 appearances for the French champions and is more likely to win a second consecutive Ligue 1 title later this month, however failed in his mission to assist PSG to a maiden Champions League triumph, struggling back-to-back last-16 defeats.

Barcelona had been hopeful of bringing the 35-year-old again to the Camp Nou, the place he gained 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions League crowns earlier than a tearful departure in 2021.

Instead although, Saudi Arabia, frequently accused of sportswashing, or internet hosting the most important names in sport to deflect consideration from its human rights file, will be capable of boast having arguably the 2 biggest gamers of the trendy period of their unheralded home league.

Ronaldo is taking part in for Al Nassr, whereas a supply near the negotiations who instructed AFP that Messi’s transfer to Saudi Arabia was a “done deal”, stopped in need of saying which membership the Argentine will be a part of.

World Cup mission completed

The absence of a World Cup winners’ medal had lengthy been Exhibit A within the argument about why Messi didn’t rank above Pele and Diego Maradona in soccer’s pantheon.

But with Argentina’s victory over France in final 12 months’s jaw-dropping World Cup remaining in Doha, the case was certainly closed.

In a glittering profession that has spanned three a long time, Messi has gained 37 membership trophies, seven Ballon d’Or awards and 6 European Golden Boots.

There has been a Copa America title, an Olympic gold medal and an inventory of scoring and statistical data that will by no means be overwhelmed.

In his remaining World Cup look, Messi scored twice as Argentina battled to a 3-3 attract further time earlier than prevailing on penalties.

Not even Kylian Mbappe‘s hat-trick for France might upset Messi’s appointment with future on an evening that appeared pre-ordained.

Whether Messi actually is the ‘biggest ever’ is a query, in fact, that’s as futile as the reply is subjective.

Ranking greatness

What is simple although is that by sheer quantity and vary of silverware, Messi has gained greater than the opposite severe rivals to his “G.O.A.T” standing: Pele and Maradona.

While Pele’s three World Cup triumphs stay unrivalled, the Brazilian icon’s membership profession pales compared to Messi’s.

In his peak years with Barcelona, the Argentinian frequently scaled the top of European membership soccer within the Champions League — arguably a technically superior enviornment than worldwide soccer.

Maradona in the meantime gained just one World Cup, and by no means lifted a European Cup throughout a membership profession in Europe remembered largely for spells with Barcelona and Napoli.

The counter-argument in fact is that Pele and Maradona performed in an period the place gamers had been provided far much less safety than the likes of Messi and Ronaldo.

Pele hobbled out of the 1966 World Cup after taking one brutal deal with too many; Maradona was additionally subjected to roughhouse therapy all through his profession.

Maradona’s former worldwide team-mate Jorge Burruchaga is reluctant to match gamers throughout generations.

Burruchaga, scorer of the successful aim — arrange by Maradona — within the 1986 World Cup remaining victory over West Germany has mentioned merely that Messi is the best participant of his period.

“Win or lose, Messi is not more or less than Maradona,” Burruchaga instructed AFP in the course of the World Cup. “Messi is going to be in history whatever happens.

“There are 5 gamers up to now 70 years who will be thought-about the very best on this planet — (Alfredo) Di Stefano, Johan Cruyff, Pele, Maradona and Messi.”

The last name on that list is potentially leaving the European elite for good, but Messi is yet to end an international career that has already produced 102 goals in 174 matches.

The Copa America in the United States next year could still provide a fitting swansong.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)