The price of the GOAT

Money cannot explain everything, but in terms of pay, the value and presence of “GOAT Messi” is overwhelming.

SONG JI-HOONThe author is a sports news writer of the JoongAng Ilbo. GOAT stands for “The Greatest of All Time.” The term is often replaced with a picture or photo of a goat, the animal. The expression is mostly used for athletes who have left outstanding marks in sports.

GOAT was first used to describe the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in the 1990s. The name of the company established by Ali’s family to manage Ali’s intellectual property rights, including portrait rights, is “G.O.A.T.” This expression has been widely known since the success of the album “The G.O.A.T.” which was released by American rapper and actor LL Cool J in 2000.

Since then, athletes who have made unprecedented achievements in each field have begun to be called GOAT. Examples include Michael Jordan in basketball, quarterback Tom Brady in American football, Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey, Babe Ruth in baseball, and Tiger Woods in golf.

In soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo competed fiercely for the GOAT title. A good rivalry was created between the two superb players, from the number of the Ballon d’Or wins — the highest honor for soccer players — to their performances in various international events, career records and even the amount of their charitable donations. The rivalry that lasted over a decade ended with Messi’s victory, as Messi led Argentina to the Qatar World Cup victory and achieved the “career grand slam.”

Messi, who secured the “Football GOAT” status, recently received a proposal for an astronomical amount of salary while considering a transfer. Saudi Arabian football club Al-Hilal sent him an offer with a total of 600 million euros ($655.8 million) for two years. The sum exceeds the 400 million euros proposed to Ronaldo by another Saudi club Al-Nassr by nearly 300 billion won ($225.9 million). As Messi denied the reports of agreement, the issue has subsided. But there is a good possibility for further discussion. Money cannot explain everything, but in terms of pay, the value and presence of “GOAT Messi” is overwhelming.