The World Cup is over and so too appears to be the debate about the greatest player of all time.
It seemed written in the stars that Lionel Messi would finally get his hands on the biggest prize in football but what a way to do it as Argentina edged France on penalties after a footballing contest for the ages. It will always be no more than an opinion. And some of a certain age might still hold Pele and Maradona above the modern day genius.
But for Hotline callers there seems no argument over the GOAT. It’s simply Messi. Alan Lough, Dunbar, declared: “No player in history has ever been under so much pressure to win the World Cup with his country. Never again can anyone say that Messi needs to win the big one to put himself beside Maradona. Messi now fulfils his legacy as the greatest in football history.”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Well done Argentina. After getting a fright in their opening game they are worthy champions and in Messi they have one of the three best players ever along with countryman Maradona and Pele. They were a joy to watch,”
And William Hutchison, Aberdeen, said: “What a final! Goals, excitement, saves, extra time, penalties, two teams going toe to toe with each other. The best final ever.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, added: “The World Cup was about two players before game and for the first time ever the two players lived up to the hype. An incredible game and Messi and Mbappe are on a different planet.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “The two best players in the tournament are two players unlikely to have another World Cup. Messi was player of the tournament followed by Griezmann then we had the Moroccan Ziyech followed by Mbappe. Modric didn’t do too bad either. I have to add it’s also great that only one person has scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final at a neutral venue. Well done Argentina on winning the World Cup and congratulations Messi on becoming the world’s best ever player and eclipsing Pele’s World Cup goals, you’ve done it all.”
On a different tact, Alan Flett emailed: “The English are a complete laughing stock. How many nations would continue to back a manager who is a serial loser? England have reached the semi-finals, final and quarter-finals of the last three tournaments, despite Gareth Southgate, not because of him. With the squad England have got, they could be winning everything in sight if they had a proper manager.”
And Neil Renton, Edinburgh, brought us all back closer to home saying: “The World Cup final was a breathtaking spectacle that lived up to the hype. It’s still not the best final ever with Hibs beating Rangers in the Scottish Cup back in 2016 earning that accolade.”
In case you hadn’t noticed the domestic game returned and Tuesday night's clash between Aberdeen and Rangers is shaping up to be quite a contest. Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Michael Beale is proving to everyone now what exactly he is. The ultimate yes man and rear end kisser with his statement about ‘the other team’. This was done knowing the fans and board would love it. On top of the backstabbing he did to Gio van Bronckhorst and QPR. Would you want him in your corner?”
Dons boss Jim Goodwin was slaughtered for his defensive tactics that saw them muster only two shots against Celtic before going down to a late Callum McGregor goal.
Ian Ferguson, Denny, slammed: “Who would want to be an Aberdeen fan when your team shows no ambition to win a game and gain three points? Two banks of five and four and lumping the ball up the park at every opportunity to a centre forward who hardly got a kick of the ball. Shocking tactics. No wonder the Aberdeen fans are up in arms they want to see their team trying to win a game not just avoid defeat.”
Jim McKenzie, East Kilbride, said; “Once again Aberdeen never laid a glove on Celtic. 90 minutes and not a shot on target. I doubt if they will show the same lack of commitment against Rangers. Those who say that Aberdeen trying harder against Rangers is a myth will once again be proved wrong. Aberdeen used to have some fight in them. Goodwin should be ashamed of that dross.”
Finally, Hugh McKirdy emailed: “What happened to the rip-roaring, off your seat football that Dave Cormack promised us at Aberdeen? Might as well put ‘gone fishing’ signs up at the turnstiles as that would be more enjoyable.”
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