The magisterial wonder of Lionel Messi. The Magician, the Atomic Flea. The Electric Water-bug. The Wizard Sorcerer. His exploits on the pitch are legend. Per Wikipedia: “Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team. Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he won a club-record 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most goals in a La Liga and European league season (50), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (8), and most assists in La Liga (192), a La Liga season (21) and the Copa América (17).”

A conjurer of goals, Messi is gifted with vision and creativity that are poetic, prescient, and mind-boggling. His exquisite maneuverability and elusiveness leave defenders strewn in his wake. And, as of December 18, 2022, he now has led Argentina to the highest possible international levels: championships in the Copa América {2021} and, at last, to the pinnacle, the World Cup {2022}, winning an unprecedented 2nd Golden Ball in the process.