Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes the World Cup final was better than Istanbul and claimed Kylian Mbappe will be on Lionel Messi’s level in 10 years.
Argentina claimed the World Cup for the third time in their history on Sunday afternoon after an incredible game of football at the Lusail Stadium. Lionel Scaloni’s side eventually beat France 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw.
The 2005 Champions League final will forever be remembered as one of the all-time great games in the history of football, but especially in Liverpool as the Reds managed to win their fifth European Cup in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
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AC Milan raced into a 3-0 half-time advantage thanks to goals from Paolo Maldini and Hernan Crespo, who scored twice. But in one of the most remarkable turnarounds in history, the Reds sent the game into extra-time after goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool went on to lift the trophy for a fifth time when Andriy Shevchenko saw his spot-kick stopped by Jerzy Dudek. But Johnson believes the World Cup will now be remembered as the better game as it is the 'biggest game in football'.
“The World Cup final was certainly the best final I've seen,” he told Midnite. “Forget it being a final, it was one of the most entertaining games I've seen.
"It had everything other than a red card, great attacking, defending, goals and saves. For me, it's the best final I've ever seen. It's better than Liverpool's Istanbul comeback in 2005 because it's a World Cup final, it's the biggest game in football.
“Anyone outside of Liverpool does not appreciate the Istanbul game even though it's up there as one of the best finals.”
Despite being on the losing side, Kylian Mbappe was a standout performer as he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1996 for England.
Mbappe, who signed a new three-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain during the summer, has been linked with a move to Liverpool since his time with Monaco. And Johnson believes the Frenchman will be on the same level as Messi in 10 years time.
He said: “Kylian Mbappe was the substory of the final. He did not offer anything in the first 60 minutes but then he sparked himself alive and scored a hattrick.
“It's heartbreaking to put in his performance and not win the World Cup. I'd be over the moon if Liverpool can sign Mbappe because he'll be getting the same accolades as Lionel Messi has in 10 years time.”
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