Lionel Messi is shining like a star at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football fans across the globe had started to look beyond the Argentine and Cristiano Ronaldo because of their age and where they play domestically.
Messi, however, is showing everyone again why he is the greatest footballer ever, having scored seven goals in four games so far.
The latest of those strikes was a stunner against Cape Verde. Messi plucked the ball out of thin air after a long pass from Lisandro Martinez and expertly passed the ball into the back of the net.
Arsenal fans, like everyone else, were in awe of the legendary Argentine, and some of them even compared his strike to one iconic Dennis Bergkamp goal.
Arsenal fans…sum up Dennis Bergkamp in three words!
Arsenal fans compare Lionel Messi’s goal vs Cape Verde to Dennis Bergkamp’s strike vs Argentina
Bergkamp scored one of the greatest goals football has ever seen against Argentina in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
The Dutchman brought down a long pass brilliantly, cut inside to deceive the defender and found the back of the net in fantastic fashion.
Watching Lionel Messi’s strike against Cape Verde, Arsenal fans were all instantly reminded of Bergkamp’s strike all those years ago.
One tweeted: “Dennis Bergkamp scored a similar goal to that of Lionel Messi in the 1998 World Cup. One of the best, especially the opponent and stage of the competition, when he executed it.”
Another wrote: “Dennis Bergkamp’s goal vs Argentina in 1998 has always been my favourite World Cup goal. Lionel Messi’s tonight was so similar. Bergkamp’s is still better – the opposition he’s against, a longer pass to control, the over-the-head flick… But still… Ridiculous goal from Messi.”
“That Messi goal had all shades of De Boer to Bergkamp in 1998,” said another.
Another Gooner posted: “Not near the level of Bergkamp vs Argentina 1998, but that Messi goal from Lisandro’s pass to Messi’s touch and finish was very reminiscent.”
“Reminds me a little of Bergkamp v Argentina in 98. Beautiful goal from Messi,” said another.
Lionel Messi’s goal was fantastic but Dennis Bergkamp’s strike was even better
Messi’s goal against Cape Verde will go into his long list of stunning strikes.
The way he brought the ball down and released his shot almost instantly was breathtaking, and it deserves every praise it is getting.
However, Bergkamp’s goal against Argentina was better.
Firstly, the pass came from the Netherlands’ own half. Then, after spectacularly bringing it down, the Arsenal legend nutmegged the defender to cut inside before scoring with the outside of his right foot.
That, in our opinion, is significantly harder to pull off, which is why Bergkamp’s goal was harder than Messi’s.
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