Ex-NFL Star Asserts Lionel Messi is the Greatest Ever Across All Sports Following Argentina’s Comeback World Cup Semifinal Win

Lionel Messi is on course to win both the golden boot and the golden ball in the 2026 World Cup.

Ex-NFL Star Asserts Lionel Messi is the Greatest Ever Across All Sports Following Argentina’s Comeback World Cup Semifinal Win

Lionel Messi and Emmanuel Acho inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Although Lionel Messi did not score any goals in Argentina’s 2-1 win over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, the legendary midfielder still played a very crucial role. Messi assisted both goals to script a scintillating comeback. After the game ended in Atlanta, Emmanuel Acho quickly called Messi “the greatest” in any sport.

Argentina qualified for the semis by defeating Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Messi had one assist. Many expected the 8x Ballon d’Or winner to score against England. However, he sat back more against the English and played through the middle.

Messi’s game on Wednesday was reminiscent of his prime years with Barcelona when he trod through the midfield and delivered a ton of assists. Against England, the game remained a stalemate in the first half. The defending champions fell behind ten minutes after the break due to an Anthony Gordon goal—a current Barcelona midfielder.

Argentina trailed for half an hour before equalizing through Enzo Fernández and completed the turnaround thanks to a Lautaro Martínez header on Messi’s cross. The common denominator between the goals was none other than Lionel Messi.

The two assists took Messi’s tally to four in the tournament, to go with eight goals scored—he leads in the most goals category while he is second for most assists. Emmanuel Acho on Speakeasy compared Messi’s career to a couple of maestros of US Sports, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Even though Acho admitted that both Jordan and James are stalwarts in their respective sport, neither holds a candle to Messi’s achievements.

In his own game, Messi has exceeded his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in several metrics. Sure, Ronaldo has won a Euro with Portugal, but unlike Messi, he is yet to become a world champion.

Lionel Messi is the greatest we have seen ever. I would suggest any sport, ever… Leads in assists [in] World Cup History… Leads in goals in World Cup History… Some people play the game of football [soccer]… Lionel Messi quite literally is the game of football.

Emmanuel Acho said on the Speakeasy show

As Acho mentioned, Messi, 39, has scored the most goals (21, eleven more than Ronaldo) in FIFA World Cup history and has assisted the most (12).

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Former England national team player called Lionel Messi “the GOAT”

In his 19-year playing career, Micah Richards played for several clubs: Manchester City, Fiorentina, and Aston Villa. However, as is the case for many soccer players, representing their nation is the biggest achievement of their careers. Richards played 13 times for the Three Lions.

Ex-NFL Star Asserts Lionel Messi is the Greatest Ever Across All Sports Following Argentina's Comeback World Cup Semifinal Win
Lionel Messi (Image via Sky Sports)

After retirement, Richards turned to punditry and has worked for CBS Sports and the BBC. He was rooting for England to get payback against Argentina for the “Hand of God” incident in the 1986 WC.

Wednesday’s fixture was devoid of such controversies. Lionel Scaloni’s tactical brilliance and Messi’s positional prowess sealed a historic win for the South American nation.

They have Lionel Messi. They have the ‘GOAT’. The greatest of all time.

Richards said after the final whistle (H/T BBC)

Scaloni echoed Richards’ words in the post-game press conference.

He’s the best player in history, I don’t know what else he would have to do to prove that. The majority of Spaniards love him.

Scaloni said

Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer with 125 goals. With 65 career international assists, Messi also leads the assist charts of the three-time champions.

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