Fans believe Lionel Messi is now officially the football GOAT over Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi is being called the greatest footballer of all time now that Argentina won the World Cup.

The star player scored two goals in the final match against France in Qatar, which ended with a 3-3 draw at the final whistle.

The game was pushed into extra time and then nail-biting penalties, with Argentina winning 4-2.

Ahead of the final, many people were debating whether Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are the official GOAT (greatest of all time).

Now that the game is over, loads of viewers are leaning towards the Argentinian star for the top prize.

Lionel Messi broke seven records during the 2022 tournament, including most games played at the World Cup (26), and being the first player to score at every single stage of the World Cup.

When you break down the figures, it's been a stellar World Cup for Messi versus Ronaldo.

Lionel has scored seven goals and had three assists, while Cristiano has had one goal and no assists.

Across all World Cups played, Messi has scored 13 goals and had eight assists, while Ronaldo has scored eight goals and had two assists.

Messi's 13 goals at the World Cup level is a record for Argentina.

The star of Argentina's team has been praised and celebrated during the tournament in Qatar.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, fell short of leading Portugal to the World Cup title and may have played for the last time at a World Cup level.

The 37-year-old Portuguese forward was dropped to the bench in the World Cup knockout stages by Fernando Santos, who has since stepped down as Portugal head coach.

Ronaldo broke down in tears after Portugal were dumped out of the World Cup in a sensational 1-0 defeat to 10-men Morocco in the quarter-finals.

Messi revealed Sunday's (December 18) final would be the last time he would take part in a World Cup.

He told reporters: “[I feel] a lot of happiness to be able to achieve this. To finish my World Cup career playing my last game in a final.

"Everything I’ve lived in this World Cup, what people experienced and how much the people back in Argentina are enjoying it all is very emotional.

“I’m enjoying everything a lot, I feel strong to be able to face each match.

"We’ve come along making a lot of big sacrifices, like playing the extra time which wasn’t easy. We were tired but the group gave that little bit more, it was a very tough game which went the way we prepared for.

“We knew they would have the ball a lot and that we would have our chances. It was a well prepared match like we always manage, and I’m happy, I’m enjoying it all a lot.”

And what a finale it was for Messi.