LIONEL MESSI: ODE TO THE G.O.A.T

                  HAPPY 32nd 

LIONEL MESSI!     

          The man, the myth...the legend of his own making, the dominating force of our time, the freak of nature who defies science, logic, gravity and our general sense of all that is normal: Lionel Messi has defeated the trappings of his own body from birth, battled and overcame debilitating muscular injuries at the beginning of his career, and triumphed over unceasing doubt from the day he decided to kick a ball to the current juncture at which we stand.
          After 687 appearances, 603 career Barcelona goals and 308 assists, 68 international goals and nearly 50 Argentina assists, 4 Champions League titles, habitual domestic dominance and 4 international finals (3 in 3 years from 2014-2016), a plethora of individual awards, broken records no one may ever touch....and yet somehow the man still can't seem to catch a break. 
             On the occasion of his 32nd birthday, we celebrate the greatest of all time by simply letting his achievements speak for themselves. 
              If I need to describe every free kick, every clutch goal, every last second assist (his pass to Iniesta to beat Chelsea and send Barca to the 2009 UCL final), every brilliant turn or dribble to persuade you to respect him as the G.O.A.T, then you simply haven't been watching the man play enough and we'll be here for the next 40 years.
             It's so hard to put into words how much Lionel Messi means to my understanding, appreciation, obsession and undying love for football; he is the core...and while there were always other players I loved, Xavi & Iniesta, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldinho, in particular, Paul Gascoigne, Riquelme, Thierry Henry, David Villa and David Silva... 
            ...Lionel Messi was always the one you had (and still have to) drop everything to watch.
             My first favorite player was Ronaldinho, his jet black Samurai locks flying in his wake at top speed in Rijkaard's underrated Barcelona teams of the early-to-mid 2000s, and I openly thought Ronny was the best, an idea supported at the time. 
            Yet suddenly I'm watching the buck-toothed, World Cup-winning Brazilian icon suddenly bowing before a long-haired Argentine teenager, saying "he'll retire us all" in 2004.
              When the guy you thought was the best says that, you tend to take notice.
              The first time I remember watching Lionel Messi was in the 2004/05 season, with two matches sticking out from memory: his first start in the Champions League in a drab 2-0 loss to Shaktar Donetsk and the second: a 2 minute cameo against Albacete in the league in which this newb (who looked like he was from the cast of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused) scored with his first touch of the ball, lifting a filthy chip over the keeper for his first ever Barcelona goal (assisted to him by...you guessed it: Ronaldinho).
               I remember the Camp Nou going nuts for the young man, absolutely loving the images of his unorthodox and breathtaking dribbling style, his laughter and camaraderie with Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Iniesta, Puyol and Xavi, and the tangible feeling that he was only going to get better...the infinite possibilities were so exciting, even at that embryonic stage.
              At the time (and lasting until Guardiola's arrival in 2008), Messi was an over-dribbling machine, running into players and challenges with his head down, flying in between defenders and letting deflections and blocks muddy his runs on goal; his passing wasn't crisp, in fact he barely passed the ball outside of the final third, such was his abundant quest for dribbling-nirvana and habitual loss of possession; Messi couldn't even use his right foot in any way shape or form back then, completely shielding, passing, turning and running with the ball glued to his left.
              At that time, it was still hard to take the ball off of him, but the improvements in his game from that 2007/08 season to 2008/09 were unbelievable. 
              The new manager that season was ex-Barca captain Pep Guardiola, someone who knew of Messi's talents for years and used his intensive medical and physical research and time studying film with the player to start a juggernaut the world of modern football had never seen...and may never see again.
             Guardiola told Leo what he could be if he harnessed the qualities he possessed and unleashed them upon the world in a controlled blast of fury, one match at a time. He helped him attain better eating habits, instilled a nonstop fitness regimen that kept his muscles fresh and safe from the prior bothersome injuries, and Pep used the transfer market to help Messi: grabbing Sevilla's right back juggernaut Dani Alves for a bargain bin price, sealing a partnership that would amass 46 goals together, the Brazilian full back being a constant alleviation of pressure and always an outlet for Leo. 
              During this time the "winger / forward" became a jack-of-all-trades, proving his versatility in all areas: 
on the wing where he started out, exploiting space in the center where he grew to become the greatest player of all time, and in the engine room of midfield where he has displayed some of the most outrageous passing techniques and abilities outside of Xavi, Iniesta, Cruyff, Koeman or Beckenbauer in his development.
              Trophies were stacked up during this time and vanquished opponents were left lying and crying in their wake, unable to stop or even touch those teams with Vietnam flashbacks still haunting Rio Ferdinand, Sir Alex Ferguson, Gigi Buffon, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo himself and Chiellini among many others. 
             This was an era where Messi was being supported by a band of merry-men all on the same mission, all on a simultaneous course, regardless of talent levels, formations, tactics or even Guardiola himself: these players from that Barca era wanted to conquer the world, with Messi as their young Ahab and Genghis Khan. 
               Under the guidance, vocal leadership and timely contributions of alphas like Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry, Xavi, David Villa and later on followed by the high-octane madness of the Neymar and Suarez era, it was obvious that Messi was a specimen who thrives on the success of others.
              Messi was never meant to be taking on entire teams (like that Getafe match in 2007) clear into his 30s...in fact, he may be the only player I've ever witnessed being expected to dribble through an entire XI and finish through the keepers' legs or he's suddenly horrible...no other human being has to deal with that curse, because the Argentine is the only one who can do that with such frequency that it's ridiculously expected. 
             It wasn't supposed to be Messi against the world; he was supposed to have a gang of Superfriends that didn't have to be €100 million transfers, they didn't have to be 30 goal forwards, they just needed to fill their roles and do their job, fulfilling and lighting the path for Messi to do his: winning the games, scoring the goals, making the difference...but a little help goes a long way.
              Now, after 5 years in the wilderness of Messi-dependencia, even when he's marginalized and his impact dwindles in a match, the very attention and movement of the defense to block him off opens a litany of avenues for his teammates, such is his otherworldly threat and how blatantly defenders fear his unpredictable brilliance...
              Messi was always supposed to be given help, just like any other big time player (in the biggest team sport in the world). But for anyone who claims to be as good or better than the birthday man, more excuses are needed just to get close to Messi: Ronaldo only won a single UCL trophy from his own contributions (2017 v Juve), the other 3 finals Real Madrid won were sealed by Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Messi scored or assisted the winning goal in all 3 UCL finals in which he played; Ronaldo was helpless when Portugal lost Figo, Deco and Simao up top (and some would accurately say he was actually disappointing with those icons), only to regain his international momentum after a large group of top class young Portuguese creators and midfielders came up in the squad to boost and run for Ronaldo ("the big ego" himself doesn't have an international title at Euro 2016 without these youngsters like Joao Mario, Rapha Guerreiro, etc, especially since he was too hurt to play in the Euro 2016 final after 8 minutes); while Messi singlehandedly took Argentina to 3 finals in 3 years, with 10 goals and 8 assists in those tournaments alone.
              Messi never had the help internationally (post 2007) or the support at club level (2012-2014, 2017-???) that Ronaldo continuously enjoyed; Leo is often isolated, overtly pressured and harassed, while his own teammates get in his way and piss the bed.
              In fact, to make matters more frustrating, in the years when Barcelona won it all (2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015) Messi's achievements were still met with ifs, buts and shoulda woulda couldas' from the public at large.
             And while the Barca captain is currently at a very low ebb as far as his collective team goals (a descent of which may be the lowest rate of team achievement containing the most devastating losses of his career), he has continued to put up outrageous numbers to try and drag his teams back from the brink, scoring more goals than matches he appeared in in 2018/19 (astonishing).
            For example: a few days ago, Messi's clutch and highly pressurized equalizing penalty saved Argentina from being knocked out of the tournament, the Argentine captain coming to save his ungrateful country once again. 
           Then just yesterday, Argentina finally won a big, deciding match in a tournament without Messi's complete DNA all over it: for once it was Sergio Aguero taking on the mantle and burying a shot in the 80th minute to send a nervy Argentina through to the knockout stages of Copa America 2019.
             It has taken nearly 9+ years for someone else in the Argentina attack to assume responsibility and push them through, such is the constant match-saving heroics of Messi that have become so common place they're taken for granted.
              As Columbian forward Radamel Falcao recently said, "If Messi scores 1, they say he should've scored 2, if he scores 3 they ask why not 4, if he assists twice they say why not 5?" 
              Since his legendary goal against Getafe in 2007, Messi has been cursed by his own greatness; lumped in a sack with Maradona, Cristiano and Pele, each record breaking milestone quickly rubbished and forgotten while the talking heads demand MORE...MORE....MORE...
             And while Barcelona screw around and wonder  how best to help Messi after a disastrous end to a campaign (that began with the promise of a Champions League trophy and ended in a glittering shitstorm when Liverpool came from behind 3 goals at Anfield), they're going about it all wrong from the beginning (no matter who they sign), simply by allowing Ernesto Valverde to continue as manager.

"How can we best ruin Messi's career, Ernie?"

             Messi's final seasons may be lived out in great infamy: loads of goals, assists...brilliant, world class, X-Files type play, but all of it could be for nothing while the team is ruined by Mr. Bojangles (Bartomeu) behind the scenes pulling the strings, with Valverde there to do his bidding.
             Even still, the man deserves his due and whether or not he is able to drag Barcelona to another Champions League title before retirement doesn't matter, or even if he never wins a senior international title with Argentina, fine...
             He's accomplished more than enough to be given his due as the greatest of all time already and he's not even close to done...
             Not only on the pitch is he the G.O.A.T, but off of it he's a class act of the highest order, too: he's always giving to charities and starting his own foundations, playing exhibition matches to raise funds for outstanding causes and remembering the people who made him what he is. He's never turned his back on Rosario, his home town and most of his best friends aren't some entourage of scenester pricks and Bruno Mars wannabes like Neymar: his is made up completely of close childhood friends and people he can trust.
            Hell, this is a guy who's married to a woman he's known since he was 5 years old.
            Even as he's been quoted as saying his "three kids and wife are most important", he's pressed ahead full throttle in his later years and has only seemed to get better, routinely pulling off the impossible.
            And that's what makes him so special: with him on the pitch, there is always the possibility of anything happening. 
            So as we sit here and wonder: can Argentina get through Venezuela, then Brazil, and possibly a reunion with his teammate Luis Suarez in the final? Could Messi finally deliver the title Argentina desperately needs? 
            Of course they/he can: as bad as they've been, there's always a chance with Lionel Messi.
            Can Barcelona repair the damage from Bartomeu and Valverde and win in spite of them?
            Yes they can, because with Messi, anything is possible. 
            Happy Birthday to the man that reminds us on a daily basis that anything is possible. 

TEN GREATEST MESSI MOMENTS:
( no order)

10. 2007
His carbon copy of Maradona's "Goal of the century" vs Getafe: it was an absolute genius run that shows the pure desire Messi has better than any other evidence and a goal that was so world class it has haunted him since. And while most young players would hide from the sight of such expectation, Messi has only continued to top it.

9. 2009

His Champions League final goal vs United, his first of two, was a big time goal; not only did it shut every Premier League fan and commentator completely up as he scored his first goal vs English opposition, it proved Messi could score headers with the best of 'em: Manchester United keeper Edwin Van der Saar maintains Messi's looping header over him is still the most unstoppable shot he's ever faced.

8. 2019

His picture perfect free kick vs Liverpool for his 600th Barcelona goal wasn't just an iconic image, it was undertaken against the best goalkeeper in the Champions League, Liverpool's unassailable Alisson: simply put one of the greatest Champions league goals ever and the greatest free kick of all time.

7. 2015

His brace of goals and his assist vs Guardiola's Bayern Munich sent Barca to the 2015 Champions League final: the way in which he punishes Jerome Boateng by dancing him into the ground before chipping the greatest goalkeeper in the world (at that time) Manuel Neuer set the world on fire and became a GIF and Meme paradise. And this was after Messi had beaten him at his near post from outside of the box and sent Neymar through on goal to finish it up 3-0, putting Bayern to the sword in vicious style

6. 2019

His hat trick vs Betis must be seen to believed and contained such unreal goals that it brought BEINSport commentator Ray Hudson to tears, especially after his teardrop chip that was so otherworldly it made me cry pure fire. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OOqnLBEM0Y

5. 2015

 his 3 assists vs Paraguay in the semifinals of the Copa America didn't just show Messi at his authoritative, orchestral best, it displayed every ounce of his creative qualities for all the world to see: while only credited with 3 official assists, Messi also played a major part in the other 3 goals, putting his magical stamp on all 6 in Argentina's 6-1 win.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVG-CzHkzXs

4. 2011 

the Champions League final vs Uniited was one where Lionel Messi wasn't just thought of as the best in the world,  it's the day he became the undisputed best. Not only scoring the match winning goal, he set up 4 chances, completed 100 passes on the dot, 10 dribbles and 3 shots out of 5 on target. Beyond the numbers: just watch the match, do yourself a favor and watch the most well played final of our time. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbgqbe3oXrs

3. 2011

 his late match brace against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals was a courageous, thrilling and filthy pair of goals that swept aside Mourinho's dogged and cynical Real Madrid with two magical moments: first a disgusting toe poke through traffic in the box that nutmegged Iker Casillas on its way in; but then the 2nd goal (set up by Busquets literally stopping on the ball and leaving it for an onrushing Messi to take and explode into the Madrid box) was one of the best Messi goals as far as difficulty, precision and class, racing  through Madrid's half and lashing it in under duress with his right foot, silencing the Santiago Bernabeu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex1u0iDQNOw

2. 2012

 his filthy 5 goal haul against Bayer Leverkeusen in the Round of 16 2nd leg of the 2012 Champions League, made you almost feel bad for the German club in their 7-1 defeat, though it was too good to be true...I kept blinking hoping it wasn't a dream...this is a display that'll never be matched. Not to mention this was done without David Villa, who had broken his leg months before at the Club World Cup. 
            This is Messi at his ravenous best in a season when he scored 70+ goals and 20+ assists.

1. 2017

 his last gasp goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu wasn't only a huge contribution in defeating their rivals 3-2, it was how it followed a week in which Barcelona had crashed out of the Champions League, Messi getting his jaw smashed and his cheekbone broken in an aerial duel with Juve's Miralem Pjanic. 
         To make matters worse, Real Madrid left back Marcelo bludgeoned the Barca captain with a rough red card elbow to Messi's teeth in the first 25 minutes, knocking them loose and sending images of a bloodied and bashed Lionel all over the world, his face swelling up like a ripe but bruised tomato.
           The fact that he pressed on, in a season that had already been lost at sea, playing under a manager who was already out the door and with a team that had abandoned this El Clasico to a hapless draw, is why he's the best.
          Messi refused to back down, even while he could barely speak, breathe or open his mouth, one of the worst injuries to deal with as a footballer (you need to breathe to run, ya know).
           After a long bursting run from Sergi Roberto (not one to give up either), Messi then sent the ball wide to Jordi Alba, followed the movement into the box and smashed a low shot on the trailing run, meeting Alba's cross perfectly.
           And amidst a chorus of boos, groans and moans from the Bernabeu unfaithful, Messi took off his kit and announced himself to the hateful crowd, shoving his name down their throats so that no matter how many titles Real Madrid may win, how many players they may buy, they'll never get the stench of Messi out of their stadium.

BARCELONA:
LA LIGA:
APPS: 452
GOALS: 419
ASSISTS: 169
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
APPS: 135
GOALS: 112
ASSISTS: 31
INTERNATIONAL:
APPS: 133
GOALS: 68
ASSISTS: 43
-15 GOALS, 19 ASSISTS 
(IN 4 WORLD CUPS & 5 COPA AMERICAS)
-11 multi-assist matches for Argentina, 7 coming during tournament play (2x (V USA and Venezuela in the 2016 Copa America knockout stages, 3 assists vs Paraguay in 2015 Copa America semifinals, 2 vs France in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16, 2 vs Costa Rica in the 2011 Copa America quarterfinals and 2 unofficial, but pretty much obvious assists (given by FIFA) vs South Korea in the 2010 World Cup.