Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the GOAT of football in the modern era and is also considered by many to be the greatest player of all time or the GOAT in history. The debate about who is the real GOAT in football history has been raging for decades and it is still going strong.

The debate is usually between Messi and the Brazilian legend Pele, with some even considering Diego Maradona to be the GOAT. While it is impossible to definitively answer this question, there are some factors that can be used to compare the three players and decide who is the real GOAT in football history.

The first factor to consider is the number of trophies won by each player. Messi has won a total of 34 trophies in his career, including 10 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 6 Copa del Rey titles. Pele, on the other hand, has won a total of 22 trophies, including 3 World Cup titles, 2 Copa Libertadores titles, and 10 Campeonato Paulista titles. Maradona has won a total of 26 trophies, including 2 Serie A titles, 1 UEFA Cup title, and 1 World Cup title.

The second factor to consider is the individual awards won by each player. Messi has won a total of 6 Ballon d’Or awards, 6 European Golden Shoes, and 3 UEFA Best Player in Europe awards. Pele has won a total of 3 Ballon d’Or awards, 2 European Golden Shoes, and 1 FIFA Player of the Century award. Maradona has won a total of 1 Ballon d’Or award, 1 European Golden Shoe, and 1 FIFA Player of the Century award.

The third factor to consider is the individual records set by each player. Messi has set a total of 91 records, including most goals scored in a single season (50), most goals scored in a calendar year (91), and most goals scored in a single Champions League match (5). Pele has set a total of 78 records, including most goals scored in a single World Cup (12), most goals scored in a single World Cup match (4), and most goals scored in a single Copa Libertadores match (4). Maradona has set a total of 55 records, including most goals scored in a single Serie A season (15), most assists in a single Serie A season (15), and most goals scored in a single Serie A match (4).

Finally, the fourth factor to consider is the impact each player had on the game. Messi has had a huge impact on the game, revolutionizing the way it is played and inspiring generations of players. Pele is widely considered to be the greatest player of all time and is credited with popularizing the game around the world. Maradona is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and is credited with revolutionizing the game with his skill and creativity.

When all these factors are taken into consideration, it is clear that Lionel Messi is the real GOAT in football history. He has won the most trophies, won the most individual awards, set the most individual records, and had the biggest impact on the game. He is widely considered to be the greatest player of all time and is an inspiration to millions of fans around the world.

The debate about who is the real GOAT in football history will continue to rage for years to come, but one thing is certain: Lionel Messi is the undisputed GOAT of football in the modern era. He has achieved greatness on the pitch and has inspired generations of players to strive for excellence. On 30th July 2023, Lionel Messi will be remembered as the greatest player of all time and the real GOAT in football history.