Featured Image Credit: Budweiser Football/PSG
Topics: Lionel Messi, Football World Cup, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, Croatia
Ryan Sidle
Topics: Lionel Messi, Football World Cup, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, Croatia
Lionel Messi was named the Player of the Match, as Argentina beat Croatia to reach the World Cup final, and it extends his lead as the player with the most of them won.
We were all treated to another Messi masterclass on Tuesday night, as the 35-year-old scored the perfect penalty and got an assist, as Argentina won their semi-final.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward did it all whilst hobbling around the pitch at times, having picked up an injury early in the first half.
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The performance was integral to the South Americans making the final, where they'll meet either France or Morocco, even if was Julian Alvarez who scored twice, and won the penalty.
Some may have awarded the Manchester City forward the Player of the Match award, based on his impact on the game, but instead it went to Messi.
Earlier in the World Cup, Kevin de Bruyne had claimed he only picked up the award during Belgium's win against Canada because of his name.
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Whilst that might have at least partially been the reason Messi won on Tuesday, it isn't an excuse for his insane record at picking them up.
Since 2009, no one has come close to winning Player of the Match awards as often as the Barcelona legend, who has picked them up in 52% of his matches.
20. Paul Pogba - 57 Player of the Match awards (14% of games played)
19. Arjen Robben - 57 (20%)
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18. Kylian Mbappe - 57 (22%)
17. Nabil Fekir - 58 (20%)
16. Gonzalo Higuain - 50 (12%)
15. Alexis Sanchez - 64 (14%)
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14. Memphis Depay - 66 (18%)
13. Dimitriy Payer - 67 (14%)
12. Karim Benzema - 70 (12%)
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11. Antoine Griezmann - 70 (13%)
10. Luis Suarez - 72 (16%)
9. Gareth Bale - 73 (17%)
8. Kevin de Bruyne - 76 (18%)
7. Harry Kane - 79 (21%)
6. Robert Lewandowski - 86 (17%)
5. Neymar - 87 (28%)
4. Eden Hazard - 100 (19%)
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 116 (25%)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo - 175 (30%)
1. Lionel Messi - 306 (52%)
Messi will have the chance to win yet another Player of the Match award in the final on Sunday, and he could pick up even more awards.
The Argentina star is currently level on five goals with Kylian Mbappe, as the joint top scorers in the tournament so far, though his PSG teammate has a chance to extend his own record on Wednesday night.
You'd be mad to rule out Messi also walking away with the Golden Ball for the best player in Qatar as well, even if he doesn't win the final.