I've seen enough: Lionel Messi is the greatest soccer player ever

· Yahoo Sports

Yes, I know, I should have known this already.

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I’ve always been a fan of Lionel Messi, all the way back over a decade ago when he was making defenses in Spain look silly as part of Barcelona. As an American, I’ve been lucky to see him grace the MLS these last few years and use the the growing league as a glorified playground, sipping cocktails in Miami while selling out venues across the nation.

On Monday, though, he truly established himself as a living legend, putting another notch in his belt that would be too heavy for a normal player to even wear.

After last week’s match day featuring Messi where all the stars showed why they’re the faces of the sport, it was deja vu, as the same podium placers last week are right back as our top three this time around as well.

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NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES – JUNE 22: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates the victory during the World Cup match between Norway v Senegal at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 22, 2026 in New York/New Jersey United States (Photo by Jussi Eskola/Soccrates/Getty Images)

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Bronze Star: Erling Haaland (Norway)

Haaland is one of the most fascinating players to watch of his generation. One moment, he can be standing still in the middle of the field like a giraffe grazing, and the next he can turn into a hulking cheetah, running down the goalkeeper like he’s prey. He scored another brace on Monday, and the lead Viking of the Norwegian team will be upset that he didn’t score a hat trick with the chances he had. Norway had an impressive debut against Iraq, but the 3-2 win over Senegal has put them in their rightful place as arguably the scariest dark horse of the tournament.

Silver Star: Kylian Mbappe (France)

As with his Manchester City rival for best goal scorer of his generation, Mbappe will also feel like he didn’t do enough on the day against Iraq. While he scored another scorcher to open the scoring, there were plenty of chances for him to score a hat trick following a second goal that was gifted to him by an unforced error. Messi is not going to be questioned when it comes to his accolades and his overall status in the sport’s lore, but Mbappe could surely have a case as being known as the best World Cup player in history if he keeps up his form in quest of a third-straight final.

Gold Star: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi missed a penalty and then decided to break the record with a fantastic goal in the run of play that made him the sole holder for most goals in World Cup history. Then he went on to score another goal at the end of the game, putting him with five after two games and atop of the Golden Boot race. There will be questions if no one else from Argentina can put the ball into the back of the net in their last group stage game against Jordan, but right now, this still feels like Messi and the rest of the team is in celebration mode following the 2022 World Cup win.

Beyond it all, though, I’m just going to appreciate that I’m seeing the best to ever do it continuing to defy all expectations and reason until he can’t do it anymore.

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