How will Liverpool line up if Isak joins star-studded attack?

Transfer grades for the summer's biggest deals

This is proper England 

Ratcliffe learning the wrong lessons from U.S. sport owners

The Liverpool-linked teen who idolises Van Dijk

Editors' Picks

Transfers LIVE: Xavi Simons to Chelsea talks at 'advanced stage'

Kane tipped to bail on Bayern by club legend

How on earth will £60m Simons fit at Chelsea?!

Why Man Utd have chosen Sesko to be their new No.9

Mbappe officially handed Real Madrid's No.10 shirt 

📽️ | Yamal hits Rashford's trademark celebration in training

Muller to earn a third of Messi salary as MLS contract details revealed

Ballon d'Or: Dembele set to hold on despite CWC final no-show

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi awarded the Golden Ball in Qatar</li><li>Got his hands on the ultimate prize</li><li>Penalty heroics crucial to collective cause</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Argentina won 2022 World Cup because of Emi Martinez, not Lionel Messi, claims ex-Albiceleste star

<p>The Albiceleste savoured global glory in Qatar after delivering the perfect response to a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture. Messi, who claimed an eighth Ballon d’Or on the back of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-messi-lifts-world-cup-trophy-argentina-thrilling-penalty-shootout-france-goat/blt38b30d6ba3692fc1" target="_blank">completing his medal collection</a>, was at his mercurial best in the Middle East.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi--world-cup-history-argentina-captain-scoops-second-golden-ball/blt3d6564d03172f435" target="_blank">claimed the Golden Ball, as the best player in the tournament</a>, and finished just one effort behind France forward Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race after registering seven goals in total – becoming the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-two-more-records-penalty-argentina-world-cup-final/bltb07e4e89d175b43f" target="_blank">first man to score in every round of a World Cup competition</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Argentina did, however, drag themselves over the line courtesy of penalty shootout victories <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-blames-world-cup-nerves-netherlands-gesture-wout-weghorst-tension/bltcb52ed6ccfc07246" target="_blank">over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals</a> and France in an epic final. Aston Villa keeper Martinez was the star of the show there as he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/animal-in-goal-emi-martinez-crazy-penalty-record-shootout-heroics-lionel-messi-argentina-copa-america-quarter-finals/blt2921170906f12337" target="_blank">conjured up more spot-kick-saving heroics</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>For Gatti, Messi’s influence on a stunning victory has been overplayed. The legendary goalkeeper has told <a href="https://bolavip.com/ar/entrevista/hugo-gatti-elogio-a-cristiano-ronaldo-lo-puso-por-encima-de-messi-pero-lo-contradijo-pele-fue-el-mejor-de-la-historia " target="_blank"><em>Bolavip</em></a>: “I don't criticise Messi, I say he's good. I say it and I will say it again. From what there has been in recent times, he was very good and his competition with Cristiano [Ronaldo] was great. But he wasn't the best.”</p><p>Gatti added: “It's the same as saying that Messi was the most important footballer in the World Cup. Argentina won the World Cup because of Dibu Martinez, otherwise they wouldn't have won it. That's the reality. People want to hear what they think, but I transmit what I saw and what I feel. That's the difference, that's why I'm discussed, and why they call me crazy!”</p>

WHAT HUGO GATTI SAID

<p>Messi and Martinez have since gone on to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/emi-martinez-cant-help-himself-world-cup-winning-goalkeeper-lewd-trophy-celebration-copa-america-trophy-argentina/blta387fc93164140db" target="_blank">land a second Copa America title together</a>, claiming more individual awards along the way. They are expected to form part of Lionel Scaloni’s plans when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-will-make-another-world-cup-aged-39-if-he-wants-to-argentina-inter-miami-2026/bltb5aa3ea2e511c168" target="_blank">Argentina put their World Cup crown on the line in 2026</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Argentina won 2022 World Cup because of Emi Martinez, not Lionel Messi, claims ex-Albiceleste star | Goal.com

Hugo Gatti claims that Argentina won the 2022 World Cup because of enigmatic goalkeeper Emi Martinez, not talismanic captain Lionel Messi.