The 2022 World Cup final would surely be considered one of the best finals to be played as Argentina edged France in the penalty shoot-out.
The World Cup final got everyone off their seats in the final 10 minutes and what followed after with France answering every of Argentina’s goals, leading to a nervy penalty shoot-out.
One important narrative that pervaded throughout the World Cup was whether Lionel Messi is the greatest football player of all time. And having never won the World Cup like other footballing greats, he was not considered to be in that category get by many. Something similar happens in NASCAR too as not winning the Cup title at all or at least a couple of times can often get you excluded from the list of NASCAR greats.
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However, those people certainly don’t have anywhere to turn to as the 35-year-old Argentine laid his hands on the trophy that was missing. What’s amazing about the feat was also that he was the best player of the tournament at that age, an age when many footballers ponder retirement. Keeping that in mind, journalist Jeff Eisenband posed this question in his Twitter post: “What is the American sports equivalent of Lionel Messi winning his first World Cup at age 35?”
What is the American sports equivalent of Lionel Messi winning his first World Cup at age 35?
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) December 18, 2022
To which, ESPN’s senior writer Ryan McGee replied with a picture of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
https://t.co/F0j742Om4W pic.twitter.com/6J8WjrbIIk
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) December 18, 2022
Fans poured in with their opinion to this reply. Many agreed that it was the only possible answer.
The mustache alone would score 3/4 of the goals Messi has. And Messi probably doesn’t know how to drive.
— jdents (@coldystones) December 19, 2022
This is the only acceptable comp
— Tweets by Matt™ (@TheFakeMattO) December 19, 2022
"20 years of trying, 20 years of frustration…" pic.twitter.com/Rlp868Dmcf
— 🎄🔴🟢cottonheaded ninnymuggins🟢🔴🎄 (@M1CHAELCAMINO) December 19, 2022
The only correct answer
— Christmas Fish 🎄🐟 (@Le_Phishe) December 18, 2022
Spittin' 🔥🔥🔥
— IVAN? (10-15-7) 🐝🇨🇦🇨🇱 (@Manic_Madman) December 18, 2022
That's the example I used to explain Messis win today! I said if he loses it's like the million dollar flat tire at Daytona. And if he won it was like when the old man won.
— Jamie Hays (@JamieHays16) December 18, 2022
Without question this is correct
— Matt Nicholson (@MattNicholson10) December 18, 2022
Indisputable
— Chase Holden (@GarageGuyChase) December 18, 2022
Earnhardt Sr. won his second title when he was the same age as Messi is now, 35. He went on to add five more titles, winning the last one when he was 43 years old.
Furthermore, Earnhardt Sr.’s total of 7 championships is only matched by Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR’s history. And just like Messi now in football, Earnhardt is often considered to be the greatest NASCAR driver.