The Wonder Kid - Lionel Messi

From retiring a week back to confirming his participation in the World Cup of 2018, life has come a full circle for the Golden Boy of Argentina football Lionel Messi. Messi has done it all individually and won it all at club level, yet his ambitions with the National Team remain unfulfiiled.

Messi was born to a poor family in the suburbs of Argentina. He was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 13 and his family could not afford his treatment. His talent was obvious from a very young age, his dribbling skills, low center of gravity and desire to be the best were traits that set him well above his peers even before he joined a professional organisation. As the cost of treatment was very high and his talent was incredible, FC Barcelona came knocking and took the boy wonder under their wing where he would become the player he is today.

Once in Barcelona at the famous La Masia academy, Messi quickly became one of the best young players, despite lacking the physical attributes of some of his peers. But Barcelona was a club built on passing and dribbling and team play, a place ideal for a player like Messi. The players who played with him in the youth team all became household names themselves, such as Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique, Pedro among others. Messi was spotted by Frank Rijkaard and quickly transitioned into the first team at the age of 17.

He established himself in the first team the very next year and would go on to become the lynchpin of the side that swept all before them in 2009. Within 3 years at the club, he had already displaced Ronaldinho as the main man of the club, and had helped Barcelona win all titles as well as establish himself as one of the best players of his era. He would then win three consecutive Ballon D'Or's, an unprecedented feat never achieved either before or after. His most famous performance which marked his growth as a Superstar was the hat-trick he scored against Real Madrid that helped Barcelona draw the game 3-3.

He has so far won three Champions League as well as the La Liga and all other titles available at club level several times. He is the only player to win the World Footballer of the Year award 5 times and has cemented his legacy as the finest Barcelona player of all time and one of the best all time.

His form with the National Team has been great, but it has not translated into any major titles which is the only blemish on an otherwise exceptional career. He has played in four finals, including the World Cup of 2014, but has come up short everytime despite winning the Golden Ball. This Argentina National Team is known as the Golden Generation and it is baffling that they have never managed to win any major honor even though they have played in four finals.

Maradona himself has said that he is the heir to his throne of the "The Golden Boy", and it is hard to argue with the fact. His dribbling skills, low center of gravity, shooting style, deadly free kicks, passing and ability to play in tight places and beat multiple defenders is reminiscent of Maradona, added to this fact is the goal Messi scored in the Copa Del Rey which was eerily similar to the Goal of the Century Maradona scored against England in the World Cup.

But unless he wins Argentina the World Cup, a part of the prophecy may never be fulfilled. Success is measured as much by personal accolades as team accomplishments, and for all his domination at club level, a world title will sit very nicely with the rest of his accomplishments. Two of the best players of his era, Cristiano Ronaldo being the other, have not managed to win the World Cup despite winning all before them at club and individual level and a title for either of them in 2018 is long awaited.