He still had the best midfield and defense. Tiki Taka was dominating World Soccer. Messi's play with Argentina in that Spanish Tiki Taka era was proof that without that magical support, he wasn't on Maradona, Pele, and even Mbappe's current level. When has Messi had to carry his team like Mbappe in 18, Pele in 70, or Maradona? Argentina is loaded this year, the only question mark is their defense. Offensively, this is the best Argentina squad in their history. Dybala barely got any PT. Way better than the one that Maradona carried to a title. I'll give Messi his props in Brazil, he carried a squad I didn't think was that good to the WC final but this WC was a team effort. Argentina was great this year outside of the Saudi game. The only Argentina team with more talent was those Crespo and Gabby squads but they had no defense and no once-in-an-generation player like Messi to do ill shyt.
Messi is a GOAT but I don't like the idea that he is THE GOAT. Pele did more. Maradona did a lot more with less, see Napoli and Argentina. Mbappe is carrying the French. Ronaldo when he was in his prime or close to it was carrying Portugal which was FAR less talented than Argentina in this era till recently where both are much better overall today.
No one is on Mbappe's level right now. Saying Messi at Barca was or better is bullshyt. I watched all of those games. I liked CR7 better and I liked R9 way better. He was a product of his environment like Haaland at Man City. Elite player but they made him out of this world good with the level of support he gets.
'
They gave the GOAT a robe