Why it pays to be Messi, impossible to find another like him

Hyderabad: June 24 is commemorated by believers as the day of Enthronement. The day of St John the Baptist, who announced the arrival of Jesus Christ. Football fandom begs to differ, though. For them it's the birthday of Lionel Messi, hailed far and wide as the Messiah who delivered for Barcelona and landed the Jules Rimet Trophy – the ultimate prize in sporting celebration – for Argentina by winning the World Cup.

For a boy who left home in Rosario, Argentina along with his father at the tender age of 13 to join the Barcelona Youth Academy because they promised to pay for his growth hormone treatment, Messi's has been a fascinating story of great things come in small packages.


Unlike in Rosario, where his grandmother had to implore the coaches at Newell's Old Boys to give her ‘Little Leo' a chance, Messi left no one in doubt of his prodigious talent at La Masia – Barcelona's Youth academy – and among one of his earliest mentors in the Catalan capital was Ronaldinho, another magician with the ball.

Messi was far out, though. But as the world grew in awe of him, so did comparisons with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Comparisons, however, can be odious. But there's no disputing the fact that he's a nightmare for defenders the world over. Ask Croatia's Josko Gvardiol, whom Messi turned inside out during their 2024 World Cup match in Qatar. "My idol was Messi. When you are a defender for 10-15 years you get sick of it," Gvardiol had said then.

Or like Rio Ferdinand once famously remarked. "When you play any other team, we strategise for the team. But when we come up against Barcelona, it has to be Messi, Messi, Messi. And still he finds a way through you."

With the ball seemingly glued to his magical left foot, he was unstoppable at Barcelona and flourished as manager Pep Guardiola championed the tiki-taka style based on short passes and keeping possession of the ball to create openings – piece of cake for Messi. A record eight Ballon d'Or awards are a testimony to his enduring magic.

A year ago, Saudi club Al Hilal offered Messi 1.5 billion euros to join their club. The UNICEF Goodwill ambassador since 2010 rejected it. The 38-year-old Argentine is focused on campaigns supporting HIV prevention, education and disabled children. The Leo Messi Foundation supports access to health care, education and sport for children.

No wonder David Beckham shed tears of joy, by his own admission, when on a tour of Japan, he was woken up late at night by his co-partners Jose and Jorge Mas to be informed that Messi has agreed to sign for Inter Miami. Such profound impact.

It's unlikely to be any different when Messi sets foot at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal on Saturday. Explains why it pays to be Messi and impossible to see another like him. GOAT indeed!



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