Breaking: Ronaldo De Lima declares Messi GOAT after World Cup hat-trick vs Algeria

Breaking: Earlier today, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo De Lima (distinct from Cristiano Ronaldo) declared Lionel Messi the greatest player ever after Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 World Cup win over Algeria on June 18, 2026. The three goals saw Messi surpass Ronaldo De Lima's own World Cup goal tally.

Speaking to A Bola, Ronaldo De Lima said: 'It's time for the world to stop hiding and accept the fact that he is the best player of all time. He continues to deliver every season and in the World Cup, yet there are still doubts about him.' This endorsement comes as Messi cements his legacy at the 2026 tournament.

For Nigerian football fans who've debated Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo for years, hearing this from Brazil's two-time World Cup winner carries significant weight. It arrives immediately after Messi's historic performance that saw him break multiple World Cup records against an African opponent.

Does this finally settle the GOAT debate for you, considering the source's credibility, or do you believe other factors beyond World Cup performance should define football's greatest player?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/18/2026-world-cup-people-need-to-stop-pretending-about-messi-ronaldo/