Sometimes, in order to truly understand the genius of one man, it’s worth looking at the efforts of their nearest rivals. Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 53 goals in all competitions, including 40 in La Liga, which is the best ever in that league by any player.

But when Messi picked up his third successive Ballon d’Or trophy in January, the Portuguese runner-up was conspicuous by his absence. The sheer inevitability of the decision going in Messi’s favour, despite a record-breaking season from his closest competitor, speaks more about the diminutive Argentinean’s inhuman abilities than any superlatives ever can.

To go with his hat-trick of Ballon d’Or titles – equalled only by Michel Platini – Messi also has three Champions League medals, five La Liga trophies, an Olympic gold medal, and a host of other domestic, European, and international cup triumphs. All that at the ripe old age of 24.

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Written by Abhisar Gupta

Abhisar Gupta is a freelance football writer and blogger madly in love with the beautiful game. Having done an MBA from IIM-Lucknow, Abhisar is currently working in the States. He follows European, and especially English, football very closely, and will bring you the best of it through his column in 90 Minutes.