Messi, The Little Giant.

Since making his debut under Frank Rijkaard in a friendly against Porto back in 2003, Messi has captured the hearts of the Blaugrana faithful. What we have witnessed since, especially during the Guardiola era, is a man hell bent on proving his critics wrong. He has broken records along the way and just surpassed the legendary Cesar to become the club’s all-time leading scorer. For a young man who is still learning as he goes, he truly has become the little giant.

Messi’s and Barça’s success over the past seasons has seen Messi ascent to the top of the list of great players to have ever played the game. Messi’s performances have been so fantastic that words fail to describe how great he has been for Barça. It’s like the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words,” but when it comes to Messi; his actions speak louder than the entire content of a dictionary. He has done things on the field that have left us breathless. He makes the impossible seem simple. Yet, what is even more amazing is that his reactions during and after games do not indicate someone who has bought into his hype and allowed his ego to buy into his hype.

Messi still plays with the same passion and energy that we all had when we were young kids playing the game with our friends. However, Messi’s performances show us that he is anything but a kid on the pitch. He is one of the few players where the video games do not do him justice in terms of depiction. FIFA games are known for enhancing players’ skill but they fail to duplicate or even come close to what Messi does on the pitch. Messi has the grace and control on the ball that I haven’t seen since the days of Roberto Baggio and I can’t think of anyone who scores for fun as he does.

But what sets him apart from all the rest is his knack for being clutch. Be it with goals or with assists, Messi has shown that he is clutch in the big games 99% of the time. Obviously being surrounded by some of the greatest talent in the world helps but his consistency in rising to the occasion and always be a team first type of player is what sets him apart from the rest. He doesn’t get caught up with doing what’s best for him; just what’s best for the team.

Of course, many will mention that he hasn’t done it yet for Argentina. That’s true but it’s still early to say he’s not worthy of the crown. Just recently, former Real Madrid player Jorge Valdano, and former teammate of Diego Maradona from the 1986 World Cup Champions, spoke highly of Messi. He said, "We judge Maradona based on his entire career, while Messi is still only 24". He then added this gem, "The fact that we're already comparing them is a tribute to what Lionel has achieved." We sometimes forget that he is only 24 and he has been compared with the greats since he was 21.  In a game full of giants, Messi has shown that he too is a giant. The little giant is only 24 and if players start declining when they hit 30, then I shudder to think what Messi is going to do the next six years.