After giving Argentina an early lead in the team's game against Nigeria this evening, Lionel Messi has become the first player to score a World Cup goal as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s.
The legendary Argentine forward has now also scored in three World Cups, and has played in four.
Gary Lineker was quick to spot the impressive pattern of Messi's World Cup successes, tweeting:
And it seems that many others across the globe are equally impressed, with many saying that his track record is firm evidence that he could well be the best player in the world.
Following his epic goal, one fan wrote: "That's why #Messi is the best player in the world. Perfect control, perfect vision, perfect composure, perfect execution."
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Another said: "Messi is the best player in the world you can't change my mind!!"
Another wrote: "Lionel Messi is the best player to have ever played the game and no one will tell me differently."
Someone else gushed: "Lionel Messi is the best player to ever grace football."
The true owner of the coveted title is often thought to be a toss-up between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But some fans reckon that it actually boils down to Ronaldo being the best striker in the world, while Messi is the best player.
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One person tweeted: "Messi is the best player ever that's not up for debate... the debate is whether Ronaldo is the best goal scorer ever, the fact is Messi has a better goals per game ratio than Ronaldo, so Ronaldo is the best at nothing."
Someone else said: "Messi is the best player for me. Ronaldo is the best Striker of all time though imo."
Oh, and that goal he just scored against Nigeria - it was only the 100th goal of the tournament, wasn't it? He's given us one solid performance, and we're only halfway through the match.
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What a player. But do you think he's the greatest of all time?
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: World News, News, Football, Lionel Messi, World Cup
