Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi: The Greatest of All Time?

Imagine a football player so talented that he could turn the tide of a match with just one touch, or dribble past defenders as if they were mere shadows. That’s Lionel Andrés ‘Leo’ Messi, an Argentine professional footballer born on June 24, 1987, who has been hailed by many as one of the greatest players in history.

But is he truly the greatest? The question lingers like a whisper in the wind. He’s won eight Ballon d’Or awards and eight times been named the world’s best player by FIFA. He’s also the most decorated player in professional football with 45 team trophies. These accolades alone paint a picture of a legend, but what about his impact on the game?

From his early days at Newell’s Old Boys to his legendary career at Barcelona and beyond, Messi has left an indelible mark. His journey is a testament to perseverance and talent, as he overcame financial difficulties and personal challenges to become one of football’s most revered figures.

The Early Days: A Dream Turned Reality

Leo Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, into a family that loved the beautiful game. Growing up, he joined local clubs like Grandoli and Newell’s Old Boys, where he honed his skills under the watchful eye of his father. But it wasn’t until 2000 when Barcelona signed him that his dream truly began to take shape.

At just 13 years old, Messi’s journey with Barcelona was fraught with challenges. He faced financial difficulties and a growth hormone deficiency, but he persevered. His talent shone through, and by the time he made his first-team debut at 16, he had already become an integral part of what would be known as ‘The Baby Dream Team.’

His performances were nothing short of magical. Ronaldinho befriended him, calling him “little brother,” and together they formed a formidable duo that captivated fans worldwide.

The Barcelona Era: A Treble in Spanish Football

At Barcelona, Messi’s career took off like a rocket. He helped the club achieve their first treble in Spanish football history, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. His contributions were nothing short of extraordinary, with records being broken left and right.

In 2019, he won his sixth Ballon d’Or, cementing his status as one of the greatest players ever. He scored a record 60 goals in all competitions that season, breaking Ronaldo’s record from 1996-97. His performances were so dominant that Barcelona became known for their tactical and psychological dependence on him, a term coined as ‘Messidependencia.’

Despite the challenges of managing such immense pressure, Messi continued to excel. He won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, breaking records left and right, and becoming the top goalscorer in La Liga at 24 years old.

The Parisian Adventure: A New Chapter

Financial difficulties led Messi to sign with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021. There, he continued his legacy by winning multiple trophies and earning a record seventh Ballon d’Or for his performance in the 2021 calendar year.

His time at PSG was marked by individual brilliance and team success. He scored 21 goals and had 16 assists in the 2022-23 season, leading the club to victory in the Copa del Rey final. His impact on the game remained unparalleled, breaking multiple records during his tenure.

The Inter Miami Chapter: A New Beginning

On July 15, 2023, Messi signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami CF. His debut against Cruz Azul was nothing short of spectacular, and he led the team to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup.

Messi’s time at Inter Miami saw him break multiple records, including most assists in a single MLS game and most goal contributions. He scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 6-2 victory over New England Revolution, becoming Inter Miami’s all-time leading goalscorer with 20 goals.

Despite the team’s elimination from the playoffs after losing to Atlanta United, Messi was named the MLS Most Valuable Player following the conclusion of the regular season. His impact on the club and the league was undeniable, cementing his legacy as one of football’s greatest players.

The International Stage: A World Cup Winner

As a dual Argentine-Spanish national, Messi’s international career is just as impressive. He debuted for Argentina’s U20 team in 2004 and led them to victory in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Messi made his senior debut with the national team in 2005 and scored his first international goal against Croatia. His performances earned him numerous accolades, including the Golden Ball at the 2008 Summer Olympics and being named the best young player of the 2007 Copa América.

His leadership on the field was evident as he captained Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa América. He surpassed Javier Mascherano to become Argentina’s most-capped player, leading them to their first international trophy since 1993. His performances were nothing short of magical, with nine out of the 12 goals scored by Argentina directly involving Messi.

The next year, under new head coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France. He was named the player of the tournament and won his first world cup title with Argentina. His impact on the game was undeniable, cementing his legacy as one of football’s greatest players.

The Legacy: A Player for the Ages

Messi is known for his finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line. He functions in a playmaking role, courtesy of his vision and range of passing. His pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, particularly during counterattacks.

His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities decreased as he progressed; improving efficiency, movement, and positional play while reducing muscular injuries. He adopted a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule to improve his injury record.

Tactically, Messi plays in a free attacking role; versatile player capable of attacking on either wing or through the centre of the pitch. His favoured position has varied throughout his career, including playmaker behind two strikers, left-winger, right-wing forward, false nine role, and deeper, free creative role as a number 10 playmaker.

Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time; prodigious talent established himself among the world’s best players before age 20. He has won numerous individual accolades, including eight Ballons d’Or and eight FIFA World’s Best Player awards. Critics have dismissed him based on not winning an international tournament at senior level with Argentina, but his victories in Copa América and FIFA World Cup cemented his legacy.

The Rivalry: A Tale of Two Legends

Messi’s career has been closely intertwined with that of Cristiano Ronaldo. Both achieved numerous individual accolades, won dozens of trophies for club and country, and are the two leading goal scorers in history. The ongoing rivalry between them has been likened to past sports rivalries, with fans and pundits regularly arguing the individual merits of both players.

Messi’s head-to-head record against Ronaldo is 15-9-10 in competitive club matches, with one win and loss each in international friendlies, and one win in a club friendly. Their first matchup occurred in the 2008 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where Ronaldo’s Manchester United advanced on aggregate.

The two teams met again in the final in 2009, with Messi’s Barcelona emerging victorious. Their last competitive matchup was in a 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage match, where Ronaldo scored two goals from the penalty spot to help Juventus win 3-0 against Barcelona.

The Impact: A Global Phenomenon

Messi’s influence extends far beyond the pitch. He is known for his finishing, positioning, quick reactions, and ability to make attacking runs to beat the defensive line. His pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, particularly during counterattacks.

His work-rate off the ball and defensive responsibilities decreased as he progressed; improving efficiency, movement, and positional play while reducing muscular injuries. He adopted a stricter diet, training regime, and sleep schedule to improve his injury record.

The Future: A Legacy in Progress

As Messi continues his journey with Inter Miami, the question of whether he is the greatest player of all time remains open. His legacy is one of unparalleled talent, dedication, and impact on the game. Whether or not he wins every trophy, his contributions to football are undeniable.