Redoubtably Awesome In Competitive Times

Shouts of surprise and astonishment have filled the skies; the center has been redefined and can no longer hold, whilst stories are being told whenever people gather in groups. The greatness of a young man has filled the lips of many who follow the sport while others are awe-stricken and dumbfounded by the enormity of the achievements chalked by Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona fame. Who says depressing and undesirable conditions cannot be changed?

This is the same lad who was diagnosed of hormone deficiency and disorder, and was not expected to engage in any active sports. Well, the tables have been turned and the bookmakers and connoisseurs have been proved wrong. A sick Leo is now a fabulous Leo who has taken the world of football by storm and has perhaps succeeded in etching his name in the annals of history as one of the greatest players of the game --- a feat unthinkable and unimaginable when Lionel Messi was diagnosed of the hormone deficiency.

Almost everybody has a talent or gift which when fully discovered, honed, and unleashed has the propensity of changing fortunes, making futures, establishing reputations and impacting lives. Messi and his family made the right decision of accepting the deal from FC Barcelona which proposed funding of Messi's medical cure in exchange for the lad's commitment to the football club as a player. His exquisite skills on the ball were seen by the club, which made no hesitation in seeking the player's commitment.

Looking back, both player and club can pride themselves for making the right decision --- a decision that has brought to them immeasurable glories, triumphs and fortunes.

After impressive episodes at the La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth side, Leo graduated to the first team and made his debut on 16th November 2003 in a friendly match against FC Porto, to be followed by his first league debut on 15th October 2004 against Espanyol in the Spanish La Liga.

From that day, Leo never looked backed - he has succeeded in making himself a gem of football with his skillful displays, impressive goal scoring abilities and numerous awards and recognitions. This is a lad who at a young age has broken so many records and established new ones. Many try to imagine without success, the avalanche of exploits he could make before bowing out of the loveable sport by way of retirement.

Described by his teammates as very competitive, Leo works very hard on improving himself and is his own best critic. His love for the game is unusual and his commitment to self-improvement is admirable. Messi desires to win with the team and considers individual achievements as periphery. To him, the team matters most and individual ambitions cannot ride over team interests.

He therefore focuses primarily on his role in helping the team win matches and ultimately trophies. Talking about trophies and medals, the young man has a cabinet full of them. For club, Messi has won as at January 2013, 5 La Liga titles, 2 Copa del Reys, 5 Spanish Super Cups, 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 2 UEFA Super Cups and 2 FIFA Club World Cups.

For country, Leo won 2008 Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing and FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005. His individual awards are so numerous in his short career, but one that stands out is his record winning of the FIFA World Best Player (now combined with Ballon D'Or) for four (4) consecutive times - a feat achieved by none in the footballing world.

In spite of his remarkable achievements, he is very humble and continues to work towards greater success for club, country and self. How can one remain so humble after all these accomplishments? I ask this question because many people become conceited and self-absorbed after relatively smaller accomplishments.

The secret of his humility lies in his knowledge and disposition that he is not the best as yet and that, others contribute to his individual success as well. With a calm demeanor, he has charmed his way into the hearts of many a football fan and serves as motivation to many, even those in other fields of endeavour. What a man of influence! Moral looseness which is characteristic of footballers as well as other off-pitch undesirables cannot be associated with Leo Messi. He is the model footballer. It is worthy of note that as a human, he is not perfect.

Over the years, football has produced fantastic personalities such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Alfredo di Stefano, Puskas, Ruud Gullit, Johan Cryuff, Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, etc. These personalities have taken the quality of the game to higher heights and have raised the bar for the current generation of footballers. However, emerging debates are being centered on declaring Leo Messi as the greatest of all.

To some, his inability to annex the World Cup is a deficit in his camp and makes him undeserving of the title 'Greatest Player of All Times'. With a prediction of about 10 years of Leo's playing career ahead, I believe it's just a matter of time before he lifts the World Cup for his country hence silencing his avowed critics.

After squashing the record held by Gerd Muller as the highest scorer of goals in a calendar year (85 goals in 1972), Messi has shown the world that he is capable of achieving the unthinkable. He netted 91 goals in 2012 to set a new record.

Through the Leo Messi Foundation, vulnerable children are being given access to education and healthcare. This is a man who is in tune with the needs of society. For many years to come, the story of the football gem from Rosario will be told. Perhaps his son, Thiago Messi will build upon the enduring legacy.

Paul Edem Kuenyefu, a Development Enthusiast is an Entrepreneur, Writer and Motivational Speaker. He is the author of 'TO THE ZENITH', a motivational piece.

Email: pedem99[at]gmail[dot]com