Football / Soccer / Calcio / Futebol / Fußball

After my favorite player, Zidane, retired I thought I was going to enjoy football less. I remember thinking that there wouldn't ever be a player anymore on the level of Maradona or even Zidane in my lifetime.

Then Messi started making everything I wished to see a reality.

I can vividly remember the early days of Messi and him proving himself to me. I was hoping he'd dribble through defences of top teams. When he started doing that I was just fully blown away that he was actually doing it. He was doing things I always wished would happen, but seemed impossible.

A player that could take an entire team on by himself. Spreading beautiful passes around with ease. Seeing things other players couldn't. Stunning dribbles with immense composure. The amount of goals were just the cherry on top of already incredible performances. I never expected him to be known for scoring a lot of goals. It's truly mindblowing what he's done.

Even if he had 0 Balon d'Ors he'd still be my favorite player of all-time. I judge him with what he's shown on the pitch and not what he has on his stats page. The amount of entertainment and pure footballing magic he's given me over all these years is tremendous.

I know I made the mistake thinking there wouldn't ever be someone on Maradona or even Zidane level ever again. In Messi's case however, that's even more improbable. He's not just a playmaker, he's not just a goalscorer. He does so many things on such a high level. The incredible thing with Messi as well is the AMOUNT of the things he does. He isn't like a ''regular top player'' that maybe has an assist every other match and maybe has 2/3 great passes in those matches. He easily has much more of those passes in literally every match. It's mindblowing. He's exceeded my expectations so much.

Back around 2009 we used to say ''if he can continue doing this for 4 years he'll be the best ever.'' He went above and beyond.