The diminutive Argentine lights up the pitch every week, and although he’s already got four to his name, one JOE argues that he deserves more.
When the idea of doing a piece on each of the Ballon d’Or candidates was floated around the office, and the names were handed out, for the first time in years Lionel Messi was considered the short straw, both figuratively and literally. There are two main reasons that he comes with that tag, one is his haul of medals, which looks insignificant next to Franck Ribery this year, and the other is to do with injury.
Undoubtedly, we have not seen the best that Messi has to offer this year, but from April and Barcelona’s first clash with Paris Saint-Germain, we have not seen a fully fit Messi either. He has been carrying an injury since then, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was pretty much playing on one leg in the home game and only made a quick cameo, but still managed to drag his side through by the scruff of the neck.
Without him, they looked as though they lacked direction and were without incision, and despite all their pretty passing, they didn’t find a way through until he came on and became involved in the play that led to Pedro’s goal. Off the pitch, Barcelona and their manager were having their own problems too, with the news that Tito Vilanova was suffering from a relapse of the cancer which had seen him take a break already during his spell in charge at the Catalan club.
When you add all those factors together, the platform was not set for success for Barcelona or their players, but even without ever being 100% fit, he still scored 39 goals in 39 appearances for Barcelona this calendar year. His goal against Athletic Bilbao was also a thing of beauty, when he came back, still injured, after the Champions League clashes.
Many will point to the physical abilities of Ronaldo and say that he works harder and makes more sacrifices than Messi to stay at the top of his game, but for anyone to think that Messi has not worked hard to get to the top of the game is completely disingenuous. At age 13, he moved to Spain and although his family originally came with him, only his father stayed after a few months. He too was isolated, and had to work his way into the team. His individual style and desire to take people on was not exactly fitting with Barcelona’s short passing style, but he also refused to allow himself to be changed, and because of that he offers something totally different to the team.
He gets that individuality from his Argentine identity, a footballing culture that values a player who is daring, who can take on the opposition in individual duels and come out successful, hence why Diego Maradona is so idolised in his home country. His appearances for the national team have also helped them top the qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil, and if he goes to that competition fully fit, Argentina must be considered favourites for the title.
He continues to shine despite Barca’s decline this season, and while we may have seen the absolute peak of the team that was widely recognised as one of the best in the history of football, if they are to reach those lofty heights again, it will be because of Lionel Messi.
It is easy to forget that Barcelona won the league last season, and because they were outclassed by Bayern Munich over two legs, that seems to be brushed under the carpet and forgotten about. It is no mean feat to be that consistent all season, considering all the problems which have already been outlined above.
Messi played a large part in that team, producing a level of performance which, despite injury, we would be amazed by from anyone else on the planet. Because his performances have not reached the level of his last few seasons does not mean that he is not the best player in the world, that is only by comparison with the player we have seen in years gone by. He is still streets ahead of anyone else playing at the moment, even when he’s only on one leg.
