To cement an implausible and inconceivable career, Lionel Messi finally lifted unarguably the most coveted sporting object in the Universe – the 2022 World Cup trophy, as an estimated 8 billion eyeballs witnessed what would go down as one of the most interesting fairy-tale in the history of the round leather game.
In the history of this game, there have been few players who have risen to the magnificent summit regarded as the height of the Greatest Of All Time – GOAT, from generation to generation. Names like Pele, Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano, Johann Cryuff, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Delima, Ronaldinho, and Cristiano Ronaldo have dazzled the world with their exceptional and outstanding goalscoring abilities, unique qualities on the ball, and the glittering most coveted laurels they have won with their various teams, and millions of football fans across the globe have held them down in the greatest-debate and conversation depending on their bias.
However, in the wake of the 21st century, a 14-year-old Messi with a growth hormone deficiency entered the scene – (although his professional career did not begin until a few years later) as his family moved to Barcelona and changed the course of nature as far as the football game is concerned, to become – SIMPLY THE BEST and the GREATEST OF ALL TIME.
“He destroyed us all… They were kicking him all over the place to avoid being ridiculed by this kid, he just got up and kept on playing. He would dribble past four players and score a goal. Even the team’s starting centre-backs were nervous. He was an alien,” that was how one of the greatest strikers in Barcelona, Ludovic Guily described “The Little Magician” when he first trained with the senior team.
It’s not hard to see why Messi is simply the best. From a young age, Messi displayed incredible talent and an unrivaled work ethic, rising through the ranks of youth football and eventually making a name for himself at Barcelona. Over the years, he has consistently proven himself to be a formidable force on the pitch, breaking countless records and leading his team to numerous victories.
With his sensational left foot, Messi’s ability to strike the ball and can cut quickly has proven to be unstoppable for many opponents. His quick dribbling skills and elusive tricks on the ball put him in a class of his own. He has a natural ability to control the ball and make precise passes, and his dribbling skills. are second to none. His speed and agility also make him a nightmare for defenders, as he is able to quickly change direction and move past them with ease.
Lionel Messi is known for his speed and agility on the soccer field, particularly when he has the ball at his feet. He is able to maintain close control of the ball as he weaves past opponents, and is equally quick when running onto a pass. Despite his small stature, Messi is also able to withstand physical challenges from opponents and maintain possession of the ball. In addition to his ability to score goals, Messi is also a talented passer and has recorded a high number of assists for his team.
He is known for his incredibly intelligent decision-making and ability to score from chipped or volleyed shots. Messi’s blend of scoring and playmaking ability sets him apart from other players in the world. He is equally adept at scoring from long range as he is from close range, and his left foot is particularly dangerous. His free kick and penalty-taking abilities are also top-notch, as he has consistently scored from both types of set pieces throughout his career. He has a great understanding of the game and is always aware of what is happening around him. This allows him to make smart decisions on the pitch and find openings for himself and his teammates.
But perhaps what sets Messi apart from other players the most is his incredible goal-scoring record. Over the course of his career, he has won numerous awards and accolades. He has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team in 2020. He spent most of his career with Barcelona, where he won 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles. In addition to his success with Barcelona, he also won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the Argentine national team.
Messi holds numerous records, including the most goals in La Liga, the most hat-tricks in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, and the most assists in La Liga. He has scored over 750 senior career goals for club and country and is the all-time leading goal scorer for Barcelona. Messi was born in Argentina and moved to Spain at the age of 13 to join Barcelona.
Immediately he made his competitive debut for Barcelona in 2004 at the age of 17, he quickly established himself as an important player. He won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 after helping Barcelona win the treble, and went on to win four more Ballon d’Or awards in the following years. In 2019, he won his sixth Ballon d’Or award and became the captain of Barcelona. After his contract with Barcelona expired in 2021, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain.
As an Argentine international, Messi has also had success on the national team, winning the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, the Olympic gold medal in 2008, and the 2021 and 2022 Copa América and FIFA World Cup titles. He was named the tournament’s best player in several of these competitions and is the all-time leading goal scorer for Argentina.
Off the field, Messi has endorsed Adidas since 2006 and has been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes multiple times.
But it’s not just his individual achievements that make Messi stand out. He has also played an integral role in helping his team succeed. He has consistently led Barcelona to victories and helped them dominate domestic and international competitions.
One of the things that makes Messi’s success even more impressive is the fact that he has had to overcome numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his career. Despite suffering from a growth hormone deficiency as a child, he was able to overcome this obstacle and become one of the best players in the world. He has also faced criticism and pressure from the media and fans but has always managed to rise above it and continue to perform at the highest level.
In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Messi is also a creative playmaker. He has the ability to see passes that other players cannot and is able to deliver perfectly weighted balls to his teammates. His ability to create chances for his teammates has led to numerous assists throughout his career, making him a vital part of any team he plays for.
Despite his small stature, Messi is also incredibly durable and has played a high number of games throughout his career. He has consistently been one of the first names on the team sheet for both Barcelona and the Argentina national teams, and his fitness and durability have played a key role in his success.
Off the pitch, Messi is known for being a humble and down-to-earth person. He is known for his charitable work and has donated significant amounts of money to various causes throughout his career. He is also a devoted family man and is known for being close to his wife and children.
As he approaches the latter stages of his career, Messi continues to show no signs of slowing down. He is still scoring goals and creating chances for his team at an incredible rate, and his influence on the game is as strong as ever. It is clear that he still has a lot left to give and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
In terms of his legacy, it is difficult to overstate the impact that Messi has had on the game of football. He has consistently set new standards for what is possible on the pitch and has inspired countless young players to pursue their dreams. His technical ability, intelligence, and goal-scoring record are all unparalleled, and he will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the all-time greats.
Lionel Messi is simply the best footballer of all time. His technical ability, intelligence, and goal-scoring record are unparalleled, and he has consistently proven himself to be a key player for both his club and his national team. He has faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his career but has always managed to overcome them and continue to excel at the highest level. His impact on the game of football will be felt for years to come, and he will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the all-time greats.
He has done it with great players, he has done it against the greats. He won the 2009 UEFA Champions League against Cristiano Ronaldo, won the 2021 COPA America against Neymar, and now, the 2022 World Cup against Mbappe.
There will always be debates about who is the greatest footballer of all time, but for many fans and experts, the answer is clear: Lionel Messi. His talent, dedication, and impact on the game are undeniable, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to have ever graced the pitch.
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Joseph Omoniyi
