With three days to go we present arguably the most gifted player in the world right now, Argentina’s Lionel Messi. The 26-year-old graduated through the Barcelona academy and made his senior debut in a friendly against Porto at the age of 16 in 2003 and his first La Liga game at 17.
The forward has gone on to make 276 appearances for Barcelona and has scored 243 goals in a career that has seen him win award after award and break record after record as is well documented. If there is one question mark in his all-time credentials to place him alongside the likes of Pele or his fellow countryman Maradona, it’s his international success.
Messi was initially offered the opportunity to play for Spain at youth level but declined and has since made 86 appearances for Argentina, scoring 38 goals but he has yet to really light-up a World Cup and perhaps this may be his biggest chance yet with so many good supporting team mates.
Lionel Messi may think he has a point to prove in Brazil and is showing great form after picking up an injury in November from which he only recovered in January. Whilst not picking up the FIFA Balon d’Or Player of the Year gong this year you expect he will be back in the running very soon to pick up award number four out of five since its creation in 2010 along with perhaps a World Cup.
Source: DSG
