CELEBRITY
Messi is not the GOAT; football trophies are won by a team of talents
Argentina’s Copa America triumph has put to bed the GOAT argument – Lionel Messi is not the greatest footballer of all time, or even his time. He wasn’t even Man of the Match in the final.
The point here is not to slag off the supremely skilful player, but La Albiceleste’s 1-0 win over Brazil has proven the football discussion should never have been all about the individual.
It would be sacrilegious to suggest that Messi didn’t play a key role in Argentina ending their 28-year major trophy drought.
Yes, with four goals and five assists, he did contribute heavily in getting them there.
But by his high standards, he was anonymous in the final. In the 88th minute, he was in the clear after a lovely through ball from the dynamic Rodrigo de Paul but lost control before he could pull the trigger. Fortunately for them, the profligacy was not punished.
This is not the Messiah in a Barcelona jersey seared in our memories, but it is actually consistent with his displays on the biggest stages in international football.
Just like in the 2010 World Cup and 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals, he went missing.
But this time, his teammates didn’t – De Paul released Angel de Maria for a cute lob in the 22nd minute that proved the match winner, and the team defended stoutly for the rest of the game.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni deserves the lion’s share of the credit for daring to change five players from the line-up that beat Colombia on penalties in the semi-final, ensuring fresh legs in key areas such as on the flanks, where both full-backs were changed. And of course, Di Maria came in for Nicolas Gonzalez.
This is in stark contrast to Brazil, who stuck with the same XI who beat Peru in their semi-final.
There was an over-reliance on Neymar to conjure magic, not dissimilar to how Argentina are on Messi over the years, but this time the Brazilian talisman was heavily shackled.
Even Harry Houdini needed an assistant, and this final is proof that strong teams, and not individuals, win tournaments. Gone are the days of Pele, Diego Maradona, and most recently Zinedine Zidane, where a single superhuman can carry the team to the title.
Spain won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012 with a collective tiki-taka effort, France got rid of internal strife and united their considerable individual strengths to lift the 2018 World Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo was not even on the pitch when Portugal scored the winner to nick Euro 2016.
Euro 2020 will follow the same vein. Regardless of who win, Italy have shown they have trust to match the talent in their squad, with Roberto Mancini having played at this competition all 26 players except third-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret.
England are also no longer fixated on a central figurehead like David Beckham or Wayne Rooney before, and not even on Harry Kane now. Goals have been coming in from an off-form Raheem Sterling and their campaign has centred on team before self, with players producing the goods out of their natural positions.
Those from unfashionable clubs like Sassuolo (Manuel Locatelli) and Leeds United (Kalvin Phillips) can also play a part.
After the Copa America final, Messi acknowledged on Instagram the contributions of his low-profile goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, a former Arsenal bench player who saved three spot-kicks against Colombia and kept four clean sheets in eight games.
The post received four million likes in two hours, and Messi’s legacy will be enhanced by his first international trophy in 10 outings, but he knows he has his team to thank.
And as we savour some of these intriguing international football battles, perhaps it is instructive to remember this is ultimately a team sport and it can be rather pig-headed to obsess with singling out a GOAT.
-David Lee/The Straits Times
Diego Maradona’s death “would have been avoided” if the medical team around him had done their job, his daughter Dalma accused on Tuesday at the trial of health professionals of the circumstances of the death of the Argentine football idol
Dalma, 38, the elder of Maradona’s two daughters with his ex-wife Claudia Villafañe, was a star witness on the 11th day of the trial in San Isidro (north of Buenos Aires). And like others since the start of the trial, she blamed the caregivers of her father’s final weeks and the framework of his convalescence.
” If they had done their job, (his death) would have been avoided,” Dalma said, referring to the medical team and in particular to three of the accused: attending physician and neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and psychologist Carlos Diaz.
” They deceived us (the family) in the most cruel way (…) They made us believe that the only possible option was to convalesce at home after his operation, in a house that was rented for the occasion in Tigre (north of Buenos Aires),” Dalma said.
According to them, ” it would be a serious home hospitalisation,” Diego would have everything like in a clinic, but in a house,” with 24/7 medical attention, medical equipment, an ambulance at the door permanently, she continued.
” It never happened,” she said in a statement often interrupted by tears. In this “disgusting, piss-smelling ” house, a doctor only came to see him from time to time.”
Maradona died at the age of 60 on November 25, 2020, from a cardiorespiratory crisis complicated by pulmonary oedema, in this private residence, where he had been convalescing for two weeks after neurosurgery for a head hematoma.
Seven practitioners – doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses – are accused of “homicide with possible intent”, characterised when a person commits negligence while knowing that it can lead to death.
Mr. Luque, who was close to Maradona, ” was his primary care physician, and I didn’t think he was recommending something that wouldn’t be best for my father,” Dalma continued.
With his sister Gianinna ” we didn’t have much influence, we could say what we thought but didn’t decide anything .” Sometimes someone from the care team or from the entourage would say “that Dad was sleeping, sometimes that he didn’t want to see anyone,” that the best thing was not to disturb him. “
” In hindsight, we should have decided.”
Last Tuesday, Veronica Ojeda, ex-partner and mother of Maradona’s son born in 2013, testified that the star’s close entourage “kept him as if he were sequestered” in the last months of his life.
The practitioners on trial, who deny any responsibility for the death, are seeking sentences of 8 to 25 years in prison. The trial is expected to last until July, with one or two hearings per week.
–Le360 (with AFP)
Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava found out the hard way that there are consequences for seeking an autograph from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup winner Lionel Messi — he was hit with a CONCACAF disciplinary sanction.
As the final whistle blew on Inter Miami’s 1-0 Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City, secured by a brilliant second-half goal from Messi, the referee known as ‘El Gato’ approached the Argentina international.
He appeared to be asking for the striker’s shirt to join the Messi-mania, but it turned out he was actually requesting an autograph for a relative with special needs.
Despite the heartfelt request, Ortiz’s actions did not comply with CONCACAF’s code of conduct for officials.
“Upon investigation, CONCACAF has learned that the referee approached the player to request an autograph for a family member with special needs,” the North American football governing body said in a statement to ESPN.
Although the exact nature of the disciplinary action was not disclosed, CONCACAF added that Ortiz accepted full responsibility for his actions and apologised for his breach of protocol.
The first leg of the premier continental tournament for clubs from North America, Central America and the Caribbean was initially postponed due to a winter storm warning in the area.
Inter Miami will host Sporting in the return leg at Chase Stadium on Tuesday.
“The referee’s actions were not in accordance with the confederation’s code of conduct for match officials and the procedures in place for these types of requests.”
Reuters
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The world’s top athletes don’t just dominate on the field—they lead the way financially, too.
From football icons to basketball superstars, these elite performers are earning staggering sums through salaries, endorsements, and off-field ventures.
Using data from Sportico, sportsunlimitednews breaks down the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally.
10. Jon Rahm
On December 2023, Jon Rahm announced he was joining LIV Golf after a very successful stint at the PGA, earning 11 PGA Tour wins since joining in 2016. Now signed under LIV Golf, the Spaniard is considered one of the best-paid athletes in the world, accumulating $85.6 (€82.3/£68.55) million in winnings and $20 (€19.2/£16) million on endorsement deals
9. Kylian Mbappe
Following his massive transfer to Real Madrid in 2024, Kylian Mbappe is now ranked the 9th highest-paid athlete in the world. The French forward earns $85 (€81.6/£68.9) million in salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements, totalling $110 (€105/£88) million—a ‘galactico’ price tag for one of the best players in the world.
8. Karim Benzema
Another former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema is ranked amongst the top ten best-paid athletes in the world following his move to Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). The French striker earns $108 (€103/£86.4) million alongside $8 (€7.6/£6.4) million in endorsements.
7. Oleksandr Usyk
Up next, we have an undisputed heavyweight champion, who took down Tyson Fury for a second time in 2024. Oleksandr Usyk is arguably one of the best fighters in the world right now, and his earnings reflect that. The Ukrainian makes an average of $120 (€115/£96) million in winnings alongside $2 (€1.9/£1.6) million on endorsements, standing on $122 (€117/£97.7) million.
6. Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. is in the final stages of his professional football career. The former Barcelona and PSG man has enjoyed a successful stint across multiple teams around the world. Now in Santos FC, the Brazilian star is still considered one of the highest-paid players in the world, earning a $108 (€103/£82) million salary and $25 (€24/£20) million in endorsements.
5. LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers veteran and NBA star is ranked fifth in the world following his jaw-dropping $85 (€81.6/£68.3) million endorsement deals with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Alongside his endorsements, he cashes in a salary of $48.2 (€46.3/£38.6) million a year.
4. Lionel Messi
The Inter Miami star has one of the most lucrative contracts in world football. The Argentinian forward earns $60 (€57.6/£48) million a year, alongside $75 (€72/£60) million on endorsement deals. He is linked to Louis Vuitton, Mastercard and Pepsi.
3. Tyson Fury
The ‘Gypsie King’ is ranked third in the world, despite his recent losses and retirement announcement in late 2024. Fury cashed in $140 (€134.4/£112) million in winnings alongside $7 (€6.7/£5.6) million in endorsement deals, a very fruitful 2024 for the former British heavyweight champ.
2. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry can still boast of having the highest-paying salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year. According to ESPN, his Golden State deal is worth around $55 (€52/£41.2) million this season. On top of that, the American point guard earns $100 (€95/£79.9) million in endorsements.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo still ranks at the top as the best-paid athlete in the world. The Al-Nassr star earns a jaw-dropping $215 (€206/£171.9) million salary, alongside $45 (€43.1/£35.9) in endorsements from Armani, Herbalife, TAG Heuer, and Clear Shampoo.
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