Columnist Jeff Powell has delivered a scathing assessment of Lionel Messi and Argentina's World Cup final victory, labeling the star player an "unapologetic imposter" and criticizing the team's conduct as "brutish."
In his review, Powell suggests that Messi is no longer among the top five players of all time, a stark contrast to previous accolades. He posits that Pele, the legendary Brazilian footballer, would have been "tortured" by the possibility of Argentina winning through penalties after what Powell describes as excessive physicality during the match. Argentina's eventual triumph, secured by a solitary goal in extra time, spared them from what Powell termed an "obscenity."
Powell contends that Messi, as the team's captain, failed to condemn the "thuggery" that he believes marred the final. He expresses disappointment that Messi did not offer an apology or show regret for the team's actions, which Powell claims reduced the game to the "bottom of the list" of 13 World Cup finals he has scrutinized.
Revised Player Rankings
Powell also presented his updated list of the top 10 footballers of all time, with Pele at number one, followed by Diego Maradona and Garrincha. Lionel Messi was ranked sixth on this revised list, a significant drop from his previous position as third, which Powell attributes to a misjudgment of his skills.
Powell further criticized Messi's performance in the semi-final and questioned his contribution to the final, noting a shot that hit the roof of the Spanish goal netting as his primary action. He also touched upon England's performance in the tournament, criticizing manager Thomas Tuchel and the FA's decision-making, which he believes will lead to stagnation.
The article also highlights a perceived shift in global football, noting the growing strength of teams from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Powell references Pele's prediction that an African team could win the World Cup and suggests this is becoming increasingly plausible, particularly with Spain's development and co-hosting of future tournaments.
Powell concludes by critiquing the Premier League's transfer policies and the style of play, suggesting that the league's focus on expensive domestic players with limited promise, coupled with a perceived overly physical approach to the game, is detrimental. He also alludes to potential issues with the organization of the 2026 World Cup under FIFA president Gianni Infantino.