World Cup Final: Messi Not the Greatest Player Ever, Rwanda Coach Claims -

Rwanda head coach Stephen Constantine has stirred fresh debate over football’s greatest player after insisting that Argentina captain Lionel Messi does not deserve the title of the sport’s all-time best.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Constantine praised Messi’s exceptional quality in possession but argued that the veteran forward contributes little when his team is defending.

According to the coach, Messi becomes almost impossible to stop once he is on the ball. However, he said Argentina effectively play with 10 men without possession because the rest of the team must make up for the Inter Miami star’s defensive shortcomings.

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Constantine maintained that while Messi is undoubtedly among the finest players to ever play the game, he would not rank the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as football’s greatest player.

The remarks come despite another outstanding World Cup campaign from the Argentine captain. Messi has been one of the tournament’s standout performers, scoring eight goals and registering four assists to guide Argentina to the final.

The 39-year-old will now hope to cap his impressive tournament by leading Argentina against Spain in the World Cup final as he seeks to add another major international trophy to his glittering career.