Even though Lionel Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, has filled his trophy cabinet with the FIFA World Cup 2022 title, he still has yet to receive one of the rarest awards in the sport – the Super Ballon d’Or. This accolade was only awarded once, back in 1989 when the France Football magazine was celebrating its 30th anniversary.

After Lionel Messi succeeds in bringing the FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy home with him, he could be the second footballer to ever win the Super Ballon d’Or since Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano in 1989. Di Stefano was awarded the most prestigious individual honor in football after he made an impressive 308 goals for Real Madrid from 1956-1960, resulting in the team’s five consecutive European Cup wins.

Since his senior team debut with Barcelona in 2003, Lionel Messi’s success has been extraordinary. The Argentine skipper added the FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy to his expansive trophy collection, having won every honor possible: league championship, league cup, UEFA Champions League, Copa America, and now the World Cup. His accomplishments have been recognized with seven Ballon d’Or awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021). Messi’s club stats are remarkable, with 706 goals in 863 appearances, while representing Argentina he has scored 98 goals in 172 appearances.

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Lionel Messi’s career has been capped off with Argentina’s World Cup victory, solidifying his status as the GOAT

Lionel Messi’s World Cup victory marks the pinnacle of a remarkable career in the sport and puts to rest the ongoing debate about who is the greatest of all time. Messi has now achieved the same feat as his compatriot Diego Maradona 36 years prior, in leading Argentina to World Cup greatness in Qatar, completing the last major accomplishment missing from his outstanding resume.

Before even netting two goals in the amazing 3-3 tie against France in Lusail, and scoring his penalty as his team won the shootout, Messi had a strong case for being the “GOAT” based on the statistics alone. The debate is nearly finished. Messi’s early penalty and his goal during extra time in the final brought his total at World Cups to 13 goals in his record-breaking 26th appearance at the tournament.

He has achieved a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, scoring his 97th and 98th international goals in 172 matches for his country. This also marks the first time a player has scored in every round, as he has now scored six and seven goals in Qatar. His impressive list of achievements includes seven Ballon d’Or awards, two Golden Balls, 793 goals across his career, a Copa America win, four Champions League titles, and 10 LaLiga championships. This incredible career has spanned two decades.

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