World Cup fans have been left in awe of a breathtaking photo which captures Lionel Messi standing beside a sea of spectators at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
Messi helped Argentina reach the semifinals of the competition on Saturday, teeing up Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal in his country’s 3-1 win over Switzerland in the last eight.
And during the quarterfinal, Getty photographer Julian Finney took an incredible snap of the soccer icon in the midst of thousands of fans as he went to take a corner at Arrowhead.
A number of users on social media heaped praise on Finney’s picture, including one who wrote: ‘Goosebumps. What a scene.’
Another posted: ‘This is the greatest photo to come out of this World Cup – Sick!’
A third put: ‘worthy of putting on a wall if ur a messi fan’.
World Cup fans are in awe of this breathtaking photo of Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium
Messi has been one of the standout players of this World Cup despite recently turning 39
‘This is one of the most beautiful picture of the tournament. Sports photo of the year in my opinion,’ a fourth concluded.
‘Awesome picture showing the goat,’ said a fifth.
While one even went as far as to say: ‘The best Photo ever’.
Messi has still been one of the standout players of this summer’s World Cup despite recently turning 39, with his tally of eight goals the joint-most at the tournament along with France sensation Kylian Mbappe.
He also became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer earlier in the competition, although Mbappe is only one goal behind him.
The Barcelona great is now poised to lock horns with England for the very first time on Wednesday, when Argentina face their bitter rivals in a semifinal grudge match.
Speaking after their quarterfinal win over Switzerland, Messi sent a message to England ahead of what will be a huge clash.
The Argentina captain is set to take on England for the first time in Wednesday’s semifinal
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He said: ‘Everything I have seen and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive.
‘But I think this group is used to playing football matches regardless of the opponent. Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special.
‘Personally, it’s the first time I’m going to play against them. I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too.
‘And we’ll experience it for what it is: a World Cup semifinal against a powerhouse, a great team, and we’ll try to arrive in the best possible shape to compete again.’
