DOHA: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has "no doubt" Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time after inspiring La Albiceleste's progression to the World Cup final.
Messi was in irresistible form on Tuesday at Lusail Stadium, playing a key role in all three goals as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in Qatar 2022's first semi-final.
He opened the scoring from the spot in the first half after Julian Alvarez was fouled by Dominik Livakovic and then released his strike partner in the build-up to him making it 2-0.
But the best was yet to come.
With 21 minutes to go, Messi embarked on a tremendous run up the right flank as he darted past Josko Gvardiol before then beating the defender again on the outside and eventually cutting back to Alvarez for a simple finish.
Messi became the first player to both score and assist in four separate World Cup matches (since 1966),
while his penalty saw the 35-year-old become Argentina's all-time leading scorer in the tournament with 11 goals.
For some, Messi's claim to the 'greatest player of all time' title rides on him winning the World Cup, but not for Scaloni.
He told reporters: "Whether Messi is the greatest player of all time… sometimes as Argentinians it of course looks like we say that just because we are Argentinian.
"Maybe it's selfish. I don't have any doubt saying that: he is the best in history.
"I have the privilege. I am honoured to train him and see him play. It's something exciting because every time you see him play, it's a huge source of motivation for his team-mates, the people, the whole world.
"So there is nothing left to say about Messi. It's indeed a privilege to have him in the squad."
While Messi is of course the headline act and the focus for many, Alvarez more than played his part on Tuesday.
His goals will lead to praise, but Scaloni was keen to highlight how important his general work rate and industriousness were for the team effort.
"The match of Julian was excellent, not just because of his two goals, but because he was extremely helpful with the midfielders," Scaloni explained.
"Sometimes we had two midfielders because the others had to cover other players, they had to cover the flanks, and he showcased excellent football [intelligence].
"With his age, [his work ethic] is normal because he wants to give everything on the pitch. What you say to him, he shows it on the pitch.
"We are very happy with him because he was able to score goals, which is something great especially for a striker like him."
Scaloni will emulate some legendary figures of Argentinian football in Cesar Luis Menotti, Carlos Bilardo and Alejandro Sabella by coaching the Albiceleste in the World Cup final.
But he still does not feel worthy of being considered on their level.
"Yes, to reach the final is amazing, but I can't make comparisons with these three names because they are history in the national team," he added.
"They've defended these colours. They made Argentina a great nation. Yes, it's a great source of pride for me to be able to play a final and represent my country.
"But I can't rise to this perch because they made history in the world of football, not only in Argentina.
"For me, just to coach this final is a huge privilege."
Argentina will play the final on Sunday against either France or Morocco, who will tussle at Al Bayt Stadium in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Astro Arena
Tue Dec 13 2022
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has "no doubt" Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time after inspiring La Albiceleste's progression to the World Cup final. - stadiumastro
8,500 premis diberi amaran susulan pelaksanaan Akta 852 - Dzulkefly
Sejumlah 8,500 premis di seluruh negara diberi amaran kerana melanggar Akta Kawalan Produk Merokok Demi Kesihatan Awam 2024 (Akta 852) yang berkuat kuasa pada 1 Okt lepas.
JDT raih kejuaraan berganda, julang Piala Futsal Malaysia 2024
Skuad futsal Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) meraih kejuaraan berganda musim ini apabila muncul juara Piala Futsal Malaysia 2024 selepas menewaskan Selangor 3-2.
AWANI Ringkas: 21 warga Bangladesh ditahan cuba masuk Malaysia
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Teo Nie Ching dipilih Pengerusi DAP Johor
Ketua Wanita DAP Teo Nie Ching dipilih sebagai Pengerusi DAP Johor bagi penggal 2024/2027 menggantikan Liew Chin Tong yang menyandang jawatan itu sejak 2014.
AWANI 7:45 [06/10/2024] – Tuduhan palsu | Krisis kemanusiaan semakin parah | Tindakan akibat tekanan anak di Gaza | Misi lawatan PM di Pakistan
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Dzulfitri Yusof dibawakan oleh #Maxis5G
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Tiada perbincangan ubah Islam agama rasmi, kata PM
- Setahun genosid di Gaza, yang mati lebih baik, kerana hidup terus merana
- Wanita Palestin mohon maaf kepada rakyat Malaysia
- Wartawan Malaysia tempuh detik cemas terkepung di Islamabad
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Tiada perbincangan ubah Islam agama rasmi, kata PM
- Setahun genosid di Gaza, yang mati lebih baik, kerana hidup terus merana
- Wanita Palestin mohon maaf kepada rakyat Malaysia
- Wartawan Malaysia tempuh detik cemas terkepung di Islamabad
PRESMA cadang ‘kedai mamak’ tidak lagi jual rokok
Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (PRESMA) mengesyorkan semua premis makanan naungannya agar tidak lagi menjual rokok di premis mereka.
DAP tidak pernah cadang Kerajaan Perpaduan, selesa sebagai pengimbang di Johor - Loke
DAP tidak pernah mencadangkan agar Kerajaan Perpaduan ditubuhkan di Johor, sebaliknya parti itu selesa memainkan peranan sebagai pengimbang di negeri itu.
AWANI Global: konflik Asia Barat: Perang Israel-Hezbollah
Israel semakin 'menggila' memperluaskan tujuan perangnya menyerang sempadan negara berdaulat yang bersekutu dengan Hamas. Sejauh mana keangkuhan Israel membuka mata dan merubah pandangan dunia terhadap kekejaman peristiwa di Palestin pada 7 Oktober tahun lalu?
AWANI Ringkas: Kelapa diletak di bawah Lembaga Koko Malaysia
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Kejadian tembak di Selama, polis tahan pemilik kebun
Polis menahan seorang lelaki tempatan kerana disyaki terlibat kes tembakan sehingga menyebabkan seorang individu cedera di Kampung Sumpit Beras, Rantau Panjang dekat Selama Jumaat lepas.
Kelayakan Piala Dunia: Argentina senaraikan Messi biarpun cedera
Lionel Messi telah disenaraikan dalam skuad Argentina untuk aksi kelayakan Piala Dunia menentang Paraguay dan Peru.
Pintu sentiasa terbuka buat Messi, Scaloni harap Messi beraksi di Piala Dunia 2026
Lionel Scaloni telah memberitahu Lionel Messi 'pintu akan sentiasa terbuka' untuk kapten Argentina itu bermain di Piala Dunia 2026.
Piala Dunia Qatar: Scaloni impikan Maradona bersama Argentina nikmati kejayaan juara dunia
Lionel Scaloni berasa sedih apabila menyedari legenda Argentina, Diego Maradona, tidak dapat menikmati kejayaan Piala Dunia mereka di Qatar.
Piala Dunia Qatar: Kejuaraan buat rakyat Argentina - Scaloni
Beliau menjadi perancang di sebalik kejayaan Argentina menewaskan Perancis 4-2 menerusi sepakan penalti.
Piala Dunia Qatar: Tewas kepada Arab Saudi cetus kebangkitan Argentina
Lionel Scaloni menyifatkan kekalahan kepada Arab Saudi dalam perlawanan pertama kempen Piala Dunia mencetus kebangkitan skuad Argentina.
Piala Dunia Qatar: Scaloni sangkal tanggapan Argentina tiada semangat kesukanan
La Albiceleste akan bertemu Croatia dalam separuh akhir Piala Dunia awal pagi esok, selepas menundukkan Belanda.
Copa America: Scaloni selar Brazil dipilih sebagai tuan rumah
CONMEBOL mengesahkan edisi 2021 akan berjalan seperti yang dirancang dengan Brazil dipilih untuk mempertahan kejuaraan di laman sendiri walaupun negara itu antara yang terjejas teruk dengan krisis kes
Kelayakan Piala Dunia: Messi tidak tergugat masalah pergelangan kaki
Scaloni bagaimanapun gembira dengan situasi Messi yang akan membuat penampilan antarabangsa ke-142.