Lionel Messi, often hailed as the maestro of football, has consistently been at the forefront of the debate on the greatest player in the world. But this debate has come to an end with Messi winning his eighth Ballon d’Or. With a career adorned with numerous accolades, Mesmeric Messi’s prowess extends far beyond the conventional boundaries of football excellence. Following are the attributes which make Messi so special.
Incredible Goal-Scoring Mastery:
Messi is the man born to score goals. He has the ability of making goals out of nothing. His goal-scoring records stand as a testament to his unparalleled proficiency to find the back of the net. Statistical analyses reveal that Messi’s goal-scoring feats outshine even the most illustrious names in football history. When compared to legends like Pele, Maradona or Ronaldo. Messi’s goal-scoring prowess sets him in a league of his own. Now enjoying the twilight phase of his career Messi is still busy amassing goals in his kitty at MLS of USA.
Maestro of Magical Dribbling:
Messi can’t be discussed without acknowledging his extraordinary dribbling skills. Messi’s dribbling is like magic on the soccer field. It’s super cool how he can dance around defenders with the ball stuck to his feet. He’s like a wizard weaving through a crowd of opponents, making it look way too easy. Messi’s got this awesome way of staying super balanced and changing direction so fast that defenders are left scratching their heads. It’s like he’s got a special connection with the ball, and it does whatever he wants. Watching Messi dribble is like watching a video game come to life – it’s just too good and makes him one of the all-time best at making the ball do his bidding.
The way Messi makes extraordinary defenders look mediocre becomes the talk of the town. Even the defender who suffers humiliation by Messi’s artistic dribbling doesn’t hesitate to say the praising words for him.
Who can forget the Argentina vs Croatia semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022? In that memorable match, Messi, showcasing his mesmerising dribbling prowess, proved too much for Josko Gvardiol, widely regarded as one of the tournament’s top defenders. In the 69th minute, Messi took control of the ball near the right-side touchline, approximately 10 yards inside the Croatian half, with the imposing figure of Gvardiol in close proximity. Initially appearing as a standard confrontation between an experienced striker and a robust defender, the situation took an unexpected turn. To the astonishment of the spectators, Messi continued to navigate with the ball towards the Croatian goal, leaving Gvardiol futilely attempting to dispossess him. Covering an impressive distance of almost 60 metres near the edge of the penalty box, Messi subjected Gvardiol to a humiliating spectacle by deftly evading him with two 180° turns. Finally, Messi skillfully passed the ball back to Alvarez, who effortlessly slotted it into the goal, creating a moment of sheer brilliance on the pitch.
Messi had given the world an unforgettable night, instilling a sense of awe within the football community, while the young Croatian who did his best to challenge him was left with weeks of haunting nightmares.
Though destroyed by Messi, still Gvardiol showed a big heart acknowledging Messi’s greatness. He said “It’s a great experience, and one day I’ll tell my kids that I played against the best player in history.”
Messi’s ability to navigate through the defence with unmatched finesse and agility places him at the pinnacle of the footballing world. His dribbling prowess eclipses that of other football greats.
Playmaking and Assists:
Lionel Messi’s brilliance extends beyond scoring goals; he’s also a playmaking virtuoso. His vision on the field is nothing short of extraordinary, consistently dissecting opposition defences with pinpoint precision. Messi’s ability to read the game, anticipate movements, and deliver inch-perfect passes showcases a playmaking prowess that sets him apart. Whether threading the needle with a delicate through ball or orchestrating intricate build-ups, Messi transforms into a football architect, sculpting opportunities for his teammates. His assist count is a testament to this innate playmaking ability, as he consistently crafts moments of brilliance that elevate the entire team. Messi’s magical touch isn’t confined to scoring; it extends to sculpting the very fabric of the game, making him a true maestro of playmaking and a provider of memorable assists
Consistency and Longevity:
Messi’s consistency over the years is a rare commodity in the footballing world. The sustained excellence he has displayed throughout his career is a testament to his dedication and skill. Comparisons with other players underscore Messi’s unparalleled longevity at the highest level.
For nearly two decades, he has consistently delivered stellar performances against the world’s best defenders, a testament to his incredible talent. Throughout his enduring career, he never displayed a shortfall in his abilities, making it unthinkable for any manager to consider excluding him from the starting lineup. Following the disappointment of not securing victory in the 2019 Copa America, a disheartened Messi announced his retirement. However, when Scoloni took chaérge as the manager of the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina team, his first task was to persuade Messi to make a comeback. The world witnessed the profound impact of that decision as Messi, not only securing his first-ever international title in the form of the Copa America in 2021, but also delivering an unparalleled display of excellence in 2022. This extraordinary performance culminated in Messi lifting the elusive and long-awaited FIFA World Cup trophy.
Messi’s soft body language and looks often deceive opponents:
Messi never looks loud or aggressive on the field. Many times he looks like a happy go lucky guy strolling in the backyard of his house. Many times he would be found standing or strolling at the point of the ground where no defender would be bothered to get serious for him. But suddenly he changes his gears to slither through the opponents net at electric pace, he becomes too hot to handle for anyone. Despite being the deadliest of deadliest strikers of his generation he never does the exhibition of aggressive gee2stures full of targeted masculinities while celebrating his goals. Even in his wildest of wildest celebrations he looks much simpler than most of the rivals of his generation. Perhaps this is Messi’s least talked about attribute. Even his haters also get soft on Messi for this.
A rarest of the rarest Messi moments when he is looking totally out of his mind making disrespectful gestures for his opponents was noticed in his 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal game against Holland when he mocked Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal by cupping his ear and saying some unpleasant words to him. This gesture of Messi left many surprised. Both Messi and his teammates received criticism for their such behaviour during the game.
It seems that later even Messi realised the ugliness of that indecent incident as a month after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup he expressed his regret over his wild celebrations and gestures towards Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal.
In an interview said that he didn’t like what he did. And He didn’t like what had happened after that. Those were moments of tension and everything happened so quickly.
Messi Impact on Team Success:
Messi’s influence on the team is very strong and visible. His ability to elevate the performance of his teammates and lead his team to victories sets him apart. Comparisons with other legendary players reveal the magnitude of Messi’s impact on team achievements.
Messi isn’t just about scoring goals; he makes the whole team better. When he’s on the field, the whole squad steps up their game. Messi doesn’t only score; he also sets up awesome plays for his teammates. His leadership makes everyone around him play their best. It’s not just about the goals and assists; Messi brings a winning spirit to the team. Whether he’s scoring or helping others score, Messi’s impact goes beyond just the numbers – he turns the team into a winning powerhouse. That’s why he’s considered one of the all-time greats in football.
Versatility and Adaptability:
One of Messi’s distinguishing features is his versatility. Lionel Messi’s greatness extends beyond his goal-scoring prowess, showcasing remarkable versatility and adaptability on the pitch. Whether deployed as a forward, playmaker, or even in deeper midfield roles, Messi effortlessly adapts to different positions, leaving defenders guessing. His versatility allows him to exploit spaces and create opportunities, making him a constant threat regardless of his designated role. Messi’s adaptability is evident in his seamless transition to new teams, leagues, and playing styles. From Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, he adjusts with ease, maintaining his world-class performance. Messi’s ability to thrive in diverse roles highlights not only his technical brilliance but also his football intelligence, solidifying his status as a player capable of excelling in any situation or position. Messi’s ability to contribute in diverse scenarios adds another layer to his greatness. This versatility stands out when compared to other football legends.
Personal Awards and Achievements:
A FIFA Trophy was the last thing Messi was yearning for a long long time. Ultimately, Messi achieved that too in the 2022 World Cup. Now there is no football award left for Messi to receive. A plethora of individual awards and recognitions adorn Messi’s illustrious career. These accolades, when compared to those of other players, emphasise the uniqueness of Messi’s contributions to the sport. Leaving aside all the awards, a man winning the Ballon d’Or Trophy 8 times is enough to show his greatness. There’s nothing left for Messi to prove.
Lionel Messi’s status as the best-ever player in the world is not merely a subjective claim but is rooted in his exceptional goal-scoring, dribbling, playmaking, and adaptability. His impact on team success, consistency, and ability to overcome challenges solidify Messi’s legacy as a footballing icon, leaving an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
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