Fox Sports pundit Carli Lloyd was savagely picked a part on social media this week for naming Christian Pulisic in the next Lionel Messi conversation.
The Copa America is now underway at the same time as Euro 2024 in Germany, and former United States and Houston Dash star Lloyd was on presenting duties during Thursday’s clash between Argentina and Canada. While Messi’s nation would reign victorious in their initial Group A game – Julia Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez securing a 2-0 win to kick off the tournament – social media users would be stunned by a punditry prediction during coverage.
Addressing her co-host, 41-year-old Lloyd said: “There’s nobody like Messi and I don’t think there ever will be somebody like Messi. It’s a generational talent. It’s like Maradona.” She then swiftly dropped in some of the world’s other top players who contend with the Argentinian.
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She added: “And then Messi has just had that crown. But there’s other players; Jude Bellingham, you know, Pulisic’s coming up.” And the comment quickly grabbed the attention of social media viewers worldwide, quick to share their opinion on Lloyd’s thoughts.
In response to a clip titled “this might just be one of the worst football take in history”, one person replied: “26 year-old Pulisic is just coming up to challenge Messi you heard it there first.”
A second sarcastically added: “Haha good old Christian P and forgetting Cristiano R!” While a third went on: “What is this crime I’ve just witnessed?”
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(Image: Getty Images)
“No way she’s gonna casually slip in Pulisic in a conversation with Messi & Maradona,” echoed a fourth with a laughing emoji, and another user argued: “Do not take football opinions from this continent seriously.”
Others defended Pulisic in the comments however, with one jabbing back: “It’s the USA. It’s all showbiz and we’re selling our players to the world,.” And a second claimed: “It’s not the worst I’ve heard.” Pulisic has enjoyed a fairly successful career thus far, but the 26-year-old is nowhere as decorated as Messi.
While the US star has a Champions League trophy with Chelsea to his name and a DFB Pokal with Borussia Dortmund, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to Messi’s 843 goals for club and country, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Ray and Supercopa de Espana’s, four Champions League titles, 8 Ballon d’Ors, one Copa America and the World Cup in 2022.