In the annals of football, few players have made their mark as significantly as Lionel Messi. The Argentine forward, playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), completed his 2022-23 season with yet another landmark achievement, further bolstering his case as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT).
During PSG's fixture against RC Strasbourg on May 27, Messi clinched a record-setting goal in the 58th minute. Assisted by teammate Kylian Mbappe, Messi's left-footed strike not only pushed PSG ahead but also carved his name deeper into football's history.
Even though RC Strasbourg managed to equalize the score later in the game, resulting in a draw, PSG retained its position at the top of the French Ligue 1 with 85 points. This was sufficient to secure their 11th domestic title, setting a new record for the most domestic titles among all French clubs.
But the significance of Messi's goal goes beyond securing PSG's position. The goal enabled Messi to surpass his long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in the Top Five European leagues, which include the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, French Ligue 1, and German Bundesliga. With this accomplishment, Messi now stands alone with 496 career goals.
The 2022-23 season was also marked by Messi's indelible impact on the FIFA World Cup. He notably became the first player to score in each round of a single World Cup since the last-16 round was introduced in 1986. His penalty in the final against France helped lead Argentina to a dramatic victory after a thrilling penalty shootout, securing a major trophy that had long eluded both him and Ronaldo.
This remarkable World Cup run, coupled with his record-breaking goal tally, paints an awe-inspiring picture of Messi's 2022-23 football season. Other highlights include winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, 2022 FIFA Men's Player of the Year, and the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, alongside his Ligue 1 victory with PSG.
While speculation swirls around Messi's future at PSG and possible transfer to Saudi Arabia, there is no doubt that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has firmly established his legacy in football history. Messi's achievements this season have conclusively fortified his claim as the GOAT, making his retirement, whenever it may be, a landmark moment for the sport.
