Lionel Messi: Undisputed Master of Football at 39 Years Old

Lionel Messi. I've fought him probably 500,000 times in my life already. He's probably the best player I saw during my lifetime. That's how it is. Lionel Messi already had claims to the title of the greatest footballer in history before the 2022 World Cup. But victory in Qatar gave the Argentine a stranglehold on the mantle. Everyone has his opinion, but nobody can doubt that he is there with the greatest all the time. For me, I said many times, I've been the... He's the best. If he would not have won the World Cup, the opinion about what he has done for the world football, or my opinion, personal opinion, that how he's a player would not change absolutely anything. Those things that Messi has done for world football are both tangible and esoteric. There's the record eight Ballon d'Or awards, an Olympic gold medal, and the only two-time winner of the FIFA World Cup golden ball. Then there's the manner in which those trophies have been achieved, the quick feet, the vision, the unrivaled ability to unlock the tightest of defences. Messi was the jewel in the crown of the Barcelona side that dominated European football, allowing Pep Guardiola to perfect the most brilliant attacking style the game had ever seen. I imagine that during Di Stefano's era, people used to say there was nobody like him. And then when Cruyff came along, people said there was nobody like him. With Maradona also there was nobody like him. I will also mention Pelé because I don't want him to be offended. Nowadays the throne belongs to this kid, and only he will decide until when. Despite Messi's undoubted brilliance, the criticism hanging over him for the majority of his career was that he only performed at club level. The four World Cups delivered only frustration, and the Copa America too remained out of reach. It seemed one of the most magical artists to ever grace the game was destined to leave unfulfilled. But aged 34, entering the final act of his storied career, Messi left the home comforts of the Camp Nou for the unfamiliarity of the Parc des Princes. He went on to star in the 2021 Copa America, ending the tournament the top scorer and its best player. He lifted the trophy for the first time in his career in the most fitting stadium imaginable, Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã, home of arch-rivals Brazil. Finally, Messi and Argentina dared to dream. There is a lot of excitement about a positive World Cup. We won the Copa America. After trying so many times, I finally managed to win a title with a national team. So after that trophy, there is a lot of excitement for what is ahead of us. Messi's World Cup career began with back-to-back quarter-final exits in 2006 and 2010. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he captained Argentina and dragged them almost single-handedly to the final. He also took home the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, but was powerless to stop Germany capping their incredible renaissance. More heartbreak followed in 2018 in Russia, when a nervy group stage led to a round of 16 defeat to eventual champions France. But 2022 was the crowning glory. Despite a shock-opening defeat to Saudi Arabia, Messi guided the Alba Celeste to the top of Group C, then scored in every knockout match as Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia and finally France were overcome, the latter following a gripping penalty shoot-out. It was the fairytale ending to a magical career. I have always said that collective awards are better than individual ones. And for every player, to win a World Cup is the pinnacle. So is there now any doubt over the mantle of the greatest? He's the best footballer in the world, the best of all time. The record goalscorer in the history of La Liga, the most recorded assists in football history and named in the FIFA Pro World XI for a preposterous 17 consecutive seasons. Nobody has ever graced football's greatest stage, like Lionel Messi.