Gab is STUNNED by Messi's assist for Álvarez - Where does it rank in World Cup history? | ESPN FC 

Gvardiol can go home with his head held high knowing only Messi could do that to him. Everyone else in this tournament was in his pocket. What a player 👏🏿

Messi is so much more than just a "striker" or "play-maker" or "dribbler". Normally, a good player would excel in one attribute and a great player would be among the best in a given attribute. The thing about Messi is, he is at the top of basically any metric you can use to quantify the skill of a footballer. He's the best goalscorer. The best dribbler. The best play-maker. What a blessing to watch him play. Magician. Genius.

Boateng to Gvardiol be like: welcome to the club bro😀

It's not a bad thing for the young defender. He might be THE defender of this tournament but messi is THE player of this game. It's not a scar but a Medal.

Messi consistently does things which are invisible to the naked eye at a seemingly cornered situation on a football pitch 💯...

The thing that astounds me is that Messi at 35 is his 7th or 8th best version of himself if we create a Messi version for each year he's played. He's only surpassed by a younger version of himself. The run and assist he made yesterday was something he used to do 6-8 times in some games when he was 20-25. What a player he's been. Oh my goodness. I will cry when he leaves and we no longer see him play. He's been fantastic. If I could give 10 year of my life in order for him to go back to 25 and play another 10 years I'd do it in a heartbeat.

This assist, though amazing, I can see other great players make as well. The assist Messi had against the Netherlands was something extremely unique. The vision, the awareness, the composure… pure magic.

There is a moment during the sequence when Messi looks over at Alvarez as to say, get ready, I am going to set you up. Messi then stops, fakes a move and continues down the pitch, drawing the defense in which they then drift out of position, leaving Alvarez wide open. You notice Alvarez hardly watches the ball go into the net, he visually confirms the goal, then runs straight to Messi. It is remarkable, unbelievable, a Gift from God. Vamos Lionel!

Ngl of you're old enough to have seen Messi from 2008/2009 to present, that was a play he would do in his sleep, in his prime he'd probably be able to keep dribbling inside and chip the keeper, what a player, he's been doing it for so long, quality since 05/06 with Etoo and Dinho, all the way until today's era, he's lost pace, but he is still one top attackers in Europe with his effective play and pure production, whatever happens in the final, I hope he carries on in a top league for another few years because he is still arguably the best in the world

Before I was introduced to Messi years ago I didn’t care much for playmaking and assist and only valued high goalscorers but he really made me appreciate the art along with some other people

The assist against the Netherlands was even better IMO

Messi is the best player of all time!

Gvardiol is excellent young defender with bright future. One of the best defenders at this World Cup. But that assist for the 3rd goal was vintage Messi at 35 destroying the defender to set it up on a plate for Alvarez.

Messi and his teammates were just wonderful.

Can we spare a moment for Ronaldo fans? They are literally bing through a literal nightmare rn ..watching their weak arguments go down the drain in 2 weeks must be the worst feeling ever! Cheer up guys, being a fan of a top 10 player isn’t bad at all

Alvarez doing the pressing work for Messi and Messi assisting the goals for Alvarez.

Messi showed his brilliance when it mattered the most

What is football without Messi one of the greatest of all time this guy a legend for real

Messi actually didn't look up after the moment he received the ball until he actually made that pass to Alvarez,which it's it's right is the most unreal thing and he did it in LA liga some 3 years ago. Just amazing 😁😁😁

Player of the tournament 🔒

Even if you know what Messi is going to do, you just can't stop him! 😅

How can you talk about Messi's numbers without mentioning his assists his chances created etc?

Most assists in WC KO rd history passing Pele, on 1 bad hamstring vs a great defender 15yrs younger. 🐐🐐🐐

The little boy from Rosario Argentina is going for it ! nothing stopping him now

Messi one of the greatest of all time this guy a Legend for real

Messi has a bright future

Molina I real admire you

No word's to discribe about leo... He is from another planet 👍👍👍

That wasn't the most stunning thing though. The real stunning moment or moments are the Croatian coaching and playing staff deciding to use short corners for their first two corners and end up conceding from one. This is what happens when you overcomplicate the game. Speaking of coaches I hope Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick (and others who don't value strikers) were watching that Alvarez performance and seeing how strikers can change a game for you. Unlike Messi, Musiala and Pedri didn't consistently have a striker making those runs, causing panic amongst the CB's and opening up the game. And some might say luck played a role but guess what, if Alvarez isn't making those runs into the box then there's no penalty or 2nd goal. Strikers in general are opportunistic by nature. They have this innate ability to take gambles in the box that other outfield players don't. And football especially European football needs to start producing more strikers. You don't need all your outfield players to be insane pass and dribble masters.

I agree with Gab!

I will be honest i expected arg to win but 3-0 was surprisingly surprise

I love Crespo and El Kun, but Julián Álvarez passed both. Clutch performance.

Great analysis

Since that messi solo goal vs Getafe, I knew a king was born. Go watch the video.

Only messi Iniesta and xavi could turn and move 360 degree that's why defender confused and surprised

Messi is a legend.

4 months later same folks are now saying messi isnt good enough to go back to Barca and they should instead reply on the younger players. lol. Messi is a huge step up from any forward and winger barcelona have right now.

i think Modric could play at Euro '24. he'd be 38 but he's been playing full 90 minutes at 37 so surely if he wants to keep playing for Croatia he could continue and play at least 65-70 minutes. i'm sure Madrid will extend his deal another year as well.

Goat

I know Liverpool and Klopp are fuming that they didn’t buy Alvarez. That’s the type of pressing they used to do a couple years ago.

my prediction for the final.. ARG 4-0 FRANCE

Younger version of Messi : run straight towards Gvardiol and nutmeg the goal keeper and scored,now Messi use his age and experience to set up Alvarez.He is indeed the son of football.magic!.

"Let Jules speak" : Debruyne

my fave assist is still Pirlo to Grosso vs Germany. So simple when you first look at it, but the weight, the placement and the magnitude made it so special. Oh and the finish ain’t bad too

messi spins gvardiol around twice and nut megs him thats so crazy

I think it was the 2nd greatest assist in wc history after Maradona vs Brazil in 1990 WC!!💯🔥

This is a great, but it comes no where near pirlo pass to grosso in 2006.

Alvarez reminds me a lot of a young Pedro. If you think about it Pep needed to offload Ferran Torres to bring a more all around threat into the team to support the main striker. Alvarez was the answer to some problems in the Man City attack and also for this Argentina side. Alvarez is Pedro 2.0.

voice volume too low

It ranks the first period

C'mon guys , that Alvarez 2nd goal infact both were beyond awesome. the assist was from Argentitnian half but to run solo and maintain control of the ball with that speed and momentum is super human. Nobody talks about Alvarez, everyone drunk on MESSI

Also most goals & assists combined of all time (20)! Surpassing Pele!

Looked pretty simple to me

I love Messi but I hope this doesnt affect the great tournament Gvardiol had

There's not a defender over the last 15-20 years Messi hasn't humiliated at some point

Jules can never admit Argentina greatness. Subtly jabbing progress

Not to mention if PSG win the UCL messi will probably end up with another balon dor as long as he gets the world cup

Poor Gvardiol😤

Maradona to Buruchaga to win 1986 World Cup

Why there is news trending that messi is going to retire on sunday ...Is it true or fake .

A Frenchman have on an Argentina shirt

He's had far better with Barcelona

Why is Julian wearing an Argentina shirt as a French national, with his team playing today ?

Julian Alvarez has way more tools in his chest.

Gvardiol shouldn't have worn that mask..🤣🤣🤣🤣

I can't stop laughing all those who says Messi and Mbappe plays in farmers league.Reality is all those who are playing so called high leagues are no where to be found in World Cup.Another one laughing at Messi and Mbappe scoring in League I but in WC those two are competing for golden boot alone with Giround.All those haters are on different level.😂😂😂

I love Messi but this was an average day for him he’s that good. But it’s good that he can do what he did back in the day at this age.

Juls is sad coz Messi was doing great

chat was there ever a possibility Ronaldo & Messi play in the same team?

Messi is the best passer in the world; Mbappe is the best player in the world.

Seen a million wingers do that assist Messi did, this is an over reaction. The pass in the first game was 100 times better. Peace and love

Nobody talking about Mbappe or Cristiano here is clearly about Messi and Argentina 🇦🇷 but bitter haters and fans boys want to bring their hurts over here to talk down a next man achievement and greatness GTFO YOU GERMS 😒 😂

What’s the big deal about the assist?

VAMOSSS ARGENTINA VAMOSSSS LEOOOOOOO VAMOSSSS VAMOSSSSSSSS SELECCION VAMOSSSSSS 🇦🇷

Messi is still nowhere near Neymar (as a TikToker 😬)

Pendu fans: messi dribble is helpd by refree and fifa🗿

Ok that piece of skill by Messi was good, but he has far far more outstanding things in his career compared to this. I've seen him go past 1,2,3,4 players and then score on multiple occasions.

Gvaardiool's mask hampered his vision as told to me by a former international defender.

Messi is my son.

To all you fans not of Messi, remember this, DEBATE IS OVER! Even if you give Ronaldo a Pseudo “World Cup” trophy! It’s Pathetic.

Brazil was much more effective against Croatia than Argentina but Croatia goalkeeper had one of the most outstanding performances of this World Cup, Livakovic was impenetrable that night and that was that!!

Poor defending by Croatia!

Yeah that play and assist was great. Now I don’t want Chelsea to sign Gvardiol anymore but hey that’s Messi and the kid is still only 19. Also what’s up with FIFA giving Argentina cheap penalties? FIFA is really pushing for Argentina to win

If only Ten Hag or Portugal paired up CR with a pressing/infinite engine striker rather than leaving him isolated up top with zero crosses coming in from the “world class” wingers who only want to cut inside.

Harry Gvardiol watch united pay £80m for another slow cb

Funny to read some comments that Messi is not the best. If those people bother to read statistics & we’re not sick biased, should know that just with the golden ball he got it 7 times, nobody have done the same & it’s not counting all the championships won including the American cup defeating Brazil in Brazil (as per FIFA Brazil # 1 in the world 2022). Also he used to fill the Barca stadium with 100,000 people every week, etc. If the 80% of players were really professionals & not commies (their evil motto is: (“the ends justify the means”), not trying to put down Messi even kicking his head, his goal record would be doubled. If he wants to retire to enjoy his family it’s a good reason for, but thinking or being told is too old, that is absolutely rubbish, Milla a Cameroonian football player, played in the World Cup having 42 yo. 😂😂

Don't worry Morocco or France will knock them out 💪

Alvarez scores two and looks like he will score most games and Gab thinks he is not a goalscorer???

I am glad Croatia lost.......if its not Brazil then certainly Argentina should win the World Cup.......

poor defending

Gab whispered sumtin

Okay calm down it was a really nice play but it wasn't legendary.

Referee assists?

meh...

Not highly, Ukraine were done from the penalty and the second the game was over the game was stretched. It's none contact era we've seen record number of penalties awarded to Argentina. The defender can't have body contact.

Maradona assist vrs Brazil in 1990 is the best ever

Pennalsii😂

He beat one player and people go crazy maradona beat the whole team now that is the difference

the assist was great but come on Gab it wasn't that crazy. I love me some messi but I hate when people over exaggerate things. It was a stop start move and a dummy in between. Nothing more.

FIFA fraud pessi needs 5 penalties to win 😂😂