Skiddle's open goal: A weekly roundup of football news and events
Here's how Messi became the GOAT in this week's Open Goal.
Date published: 19th Dec 2022
It is clear to everyone who the real GOAT is now after Argentina beat France in the final of the World Cup. In what was one of the best tournament finals of all time, huge names collided and gave us all the spectacle that we could want. It was down to two men, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
In a debate that has been raging on for a decade, who the better player between Messi and Ronaldo is, 2022 has given us a more definitive answer. With Ronaldo spending the end of this year sulking and without a club, Messi has graced the World Cup with huge individual performances.
Now a World Cup winner and with a much better goals-to-game ratio than the Portuguese player, the debate is now heavily in Messi's favour. He isn't just a superstar but is a team player too. He dispatched a penalty and was involved in great buildup play for Argentina's second goal.
He thought he'd sealed the game with a dramatic extra-time goal before France levelled again through a second penalty. However, Messi calmly and maybe slightly nervously dispatched his penalty in the shoot-out which Argentina went on to win. A lot of people wanted to see him claim the biggest prize of them all in what has been a glittering career.
France should count themselves a bit unlucky too. Kylian Mbappe had an incredible game and if Messi wasn't on the other team, he would have guided France to victory with a hat-trick. He can hold his head high but will no doubt be devastated. He is, however, one of the new big stars in football and we'll see him competing for everything for years to come.
A tournament that should never have been hosted in Qatar, at least the football has provided so much entertainment in spite of it and we have been spoiled with drama from the knockout stages. The next tournament will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico and we can't wait for it. If you're looking for a football fix, take a look at the events below.
When: Monday 26th December
Where: The TGS Pilot Field, Hastings
Boxing Day naturally gives way to big games as everyone is in action. Hastings United vs Lewes is an East Sussex derby, so both teams will be throwing themselves fully into this fixture. If the home side manage to get a result they will hop past their rivals in the league table.
When: Saturday 18th February 2023
Where: Hanley Town Football Club, Stoke On Trent
Hanley Town will be welcoming the visit of Leek Town in February. The away side are one of the top teams in the league so it'll be up to the home team to put in an impressive display in order to get a result. Both of these teams will be desperate for the points so it should be a good game.
Boxing Day Festival of Football at Hotel Anfield
When: Monday 26th December
Where: Hotel Anfield, Liverpool
Boxing Day is a big day for football fans and it signals the return of the Premier League after the World Cup. We're craving some top-flight football and at Hotel Anfield they will warm you up with food and drink before screening the Liverpool vs Aston Villa match which both teams will be desperate to win.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
