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The best of all time or the second best behind Cristiano Ronaldo? It doesn’t matter. Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry are tired of arguing where Lionel Messi, their former FC Barcelona teammate, ranks among the greatest footballers of all time.
“For me, that has to stop,” Henry said during FOX’s pregame show ahead of Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria on Tuesday. “We are going to see Cristiano tomorrow. I think we should not separate the greats. We should celebrate them.”
Ibrahimović and Henry wouldn’t declare Messi to be the GOAT, but they haven’t seen or played with anyone like him.
“I don’t think we’re going to have another Messi, because he’s special,” Ibrahimović said. “It’s natural. It’s like the game was built for him. Everything he touches turns to gold. And he has a team that is willing to die for him. Winning another World Cup won’t change his status as the greatest. It’s just another trophy in the trophy room.”
Lionel Messi has been a fixture at the World Cup for 20 years (Getty).
Messi and Argentina arrive at the 2026 World Cup trying to defend their crown. At the 2022 World Cup, Messi scored seven goals and three assists, in addition to winning the Golden Boot. He scored two goals in the final as Argentina beat France. He ranks first in goals and assists for the Argentine National Team. There’s not much more he can do to cement his status in the history books. In fact, his presence in the 2026 World Cup is a luxury, since many believed that he would go out on a high note to win in 2022.
Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry played for FC Barcelona during the 2009-10 season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
All the more reason to just sit back and enjoy his talent.
“We enjoyed it,” Ibrahimović said. “We play with him. And as long as he plays, we should enjoy it.”
While Ibrahimović, Henry and Messi shared the pitch at Barcelona for just one season, the trio certainly share endless respect for one another, especially for the one who still ties his shoes.
