Why Messi is the GOAT

Lionel Messi is a name that is synonymous with worldwide soccer greatness. We know Tom Brady is the American football GOAT (I’m a Patriots fan). Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball. Is Messi the GOAT of soccer?

In my opinion, his incredible skills, soccer IQ, and the impact he’s had on the sport earned him the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT).

Messi’s career has been nothing short of amazing. He has won numerous individual and team awards, including eight Ballon d’Or titles, four Champions League titles, and ten La Liga titles.

He has also broken countless individual records, including becoming the all-time top scorer for Barcelona and the all-time top scorer in La Liga.

He’s now on pace to break MLS scoring records in a short period…at the tail of his career!

Messi’s ability to score from almost any position on the field, with both his left and right foot, has left defenders and goalkeepers stunned.

His incredible dribbling skills and vision on the field have also earned him the reputation of being one of the most creative and dangerous attacking players in the game.

Now, let’s take a look at why Messi is the GOAT.

Messi’s Impact On My Son

Before we get into the guts of the article and what makes Messi so good, I’d like to just say Messi is near and dear to my heart.

Messi stands at 5’7” which is short by today’s standards.

My son is the smallest on most of his teams. It’s been a touchy subject and he’s pretty sensitive when kids tease him for his height.

I can provide him my words of wisdom and positive encouragement but oftentimes it doesn’t stick (#dadlife).

Messi has been the saving grace because my son can look at Messi playing among the trees and realize that height doesn’t matter.

There are so many other aspects of an individual and athlete that can be an advantage. Smarts, speed, strength, agility, etc. all play a significant part in a player’s ability to succeed on the field.

I hope other youth players can draw inspiration from true professionals like Messi.

What Are Messi’s Achievements?

Club Career

Messi’s club career has been nothing short of exceptional, having spent most of his entire professional career at Barcelona.

He has won numerous domestic and international titles with the club, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Messi has also won the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world a record eight times, further cementing his status as one of the greatest soccer players ever.

One of Messi’s most impressive achievements at Barcelona has been his goal-scoring record, having scored over 700 goals in all competitions for the club.

He has also broken numerous records during his time at the club, including becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and the player with the most assists in La Liga history.

More recently, Messi went on to play with Paris St. Germain FC (PSG) for two seasons where he scored 32 goals and assisted on another 34. He also scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for Inter Miami. Impressive to say the least!

Messi’s International Career

Messi has also enjoyed success on the international level, having helped Argentina win the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.

These victories were particularly significant for Messi, who had previously been criticized for his lack of success with the national team.

Messi’s performances during these tournaments were exceptional, with the forward scoring crucial goals and providing assists to help Argentina win both competitions.

He was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2021 Copa America and was instrumental in Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup.

Overall, Messi’s achievements on both the club and international level speak for themselves, and his status as one of the greatest players of all time is well-deserved.

Messi’s Soccer Skills

This section will explore some of the key skills that make Messi one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Dribbling Ability

Messi’s dribbling ability is one of his most notable skills. He can weave in and out of defenders with ease, often leaving them in his wake.

His low center of gravity and quick feet allow him to change direction quickly and maintain control of the ball.

According to Messi vs. Ronaldo app, Messi completes an average of 4.56 successful dribbles per game, which is more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. A ‘successful dribble’ is when a player beats their defender while retaining possession and doesn’t get it stolen.

Passing Ability

Messi has a great vision for the game and can pick out his teammates with pinpoint accuracy.

According to TIME, Messi has a passing accuracy of 83.7%, which is higher than Ronaldo’s passing accuracy of 80.5%.

Messi’s ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates is one of the reasons why he has so many assists to his name.

Scoring Ability of Messi

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Messi’s game is his scoring ability. He has scored over 700 goals throughout his career, which is a remarkable achievement.

Messi is a creative finisher and can score from a variety of positions on the field.

He has a great sense of timing and can read the game well, which allows him to be in the right place at the right time.

Messi’s scoring ability is one of the reasons why he has won so many individual awards and helped his teams win so many titles.

Messi’s Impact on Soccer

Influence on Playing Style

Lionel Messi’s influence on soccer is undeniable. His playing style is characterized by his incredible dribbling skills, his ability to create space, and his finishing.

His style of play has inspired a new generation of players who strive to emulate his success.

Messi’s influence on the game is not limited to his playing style. He has also been instrumental in the development of new tactics, strategies, and positions such as the False 9.

Teams now build their entire game plan around stopping Messi, and he has forced coaches to come up with new ways to defend against his unique skill set.

Impact on Teammates and Opponents

Messi is not the loudest person in the locker room but he is still a natural leader and has a rare ability to inspire those around him.

His incredible work ethic and dedication to the game are unmatched, and he sets an example for his teammates both on and off the field. What’s more impressive is that he’s been doing this for decades now.

Opponents, on the other hand, have a different experience playing against Messi. His ability to change the game in an instant is feared by all who face him.

His opponents must constantly be on guard, knowing that at any moment he could break through their defense and score.

Messi’s Records and Awards

Individual Awards

• Ballon d’Or award eight times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023)
• FIFA World Player of the Year award seven times
• Golden Foot award six times (2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2021)
• UEFA Best Player in Europe award three times (2011, 2015, and 2019)

Team Awards

Messi’s success is not only limited to individual awards, he has also led his teams to numerous victories. Here are some notable team accolades…

• Won UEFA Champions League four times with Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015)
• Won La Liga titles ten times with Barcelona
• Won the Copa del Rey seven times with Barcelona
• Won the Copa America in 2021 with Argentina
• Won the FIFA World Cup in 2022 with Argentina