Is Messi the Greatest Footballer Ever

Lionel Messi is probably on his way to become the North Star in the vast skies of professional football. His skill set in full flourish is a treat for the eyes and his low center of gravity allows him to dribble past the towering and most resolute defenders from the opposition. In a group stage match with Iran, when he sent a curving ball towards the Iranian goal post, half the world stood bewildered to witness an absolute blinder which disintegrated the plans of the Asian giants to contain the champion Argentinean center striker. And as if the ball was taking orders from its master, it traveled viciously like a tracer bullet to evade the Iranian goalkeeper. And what a dose of adrenaline it was to the fans of the sporting messiah! That day in the full public view of a huge international audience, it became abundantly clear that it is perfectly reasonable to live in awe of the prodigy that Messi is.

The man has played a crucial role in winning precious laurels and booties for his team. A skimming look at what he has under his belt makes one wonder if he has already done enough to lay claim to being called the greatest footballer of all time. Having won an Olympic gold, a couple of Copa Del Rey titles, Club World Cups and UEFA Supercup titles along with half a dozen La Liga titles, the champion player is ruling the roost. He has won Ballon d’Or as many as four times and that too in consecutive years. Add to this the fact that he has fought against all odds and persevered despite his serious health concern that he suffered from in his younger years. Not many would have given a youngster having a medical condition like growth hormone deficiency, a chance to go on and become a force to reckon with in international football circuit. The only feather that the he does not have in his cap is the FIFA World Cup.

During the mid eighties, the world was bewildered by the new style of football that was exhibited by a legend who stood 5 ft 4 inches tall and whose artistry, fluidity and finesse on the football field raised his stature to insurmountable levels. A good portion of sports lovers still consider Diego Armando Maradona Franco as the greatest football player of all time. And even if Messi goes on to win a FIFA World Cup for Argentina, the love and adoration which the retired champion enjoys with his unfaltering fans will continue. After all, the game is largely driven by passion and statistics alone does not win hearts. Having said that, Messi is already considered by an overwhelming number of people, as the greatest football player ever. The current sports geniuses like LeBron James have great respect for the footballer and speak highly of him, not for no reason.

Leo as the Barcelona forward in fondly called by many of his fans is a polished and perfected talent and is not just on of those names that have been compared with Diego. By cementing a win in the land of Samba and football, the left footed player can make it sufficiently clear that his moderate performance in the past two world cups cannot take away from him, his right to claim a place among immortals.