GREATEST ARTIST ON AND OFF THE FIELD

HE has never played any competitive match in this part of the world except for one friendly against Venezuela at Kolkata in 2011.

- INDRANEEL DAS

Argentina is in the other hemisphere of the globe and, in an Indian context, it is on the other side of the planet, almost diametrically. One may not have seen that piece of land of that country but everyone would have heard about it. It is because of two men. One Diego Armando Maradona. The other, of course, is LIONEL MESSI. If any footballer can manage to stir up emotions morphed in mass hysteria in this age and generation, then the latter would be the undisputed king. There is no story unheard nor is there any anecdote not told. Every time he touches the ball, it turns into an immortal story of beauty and skill. On the field he has created a world of his own. He's sui generis for he's capable of almost everything. Dribbling? Assisting? Running with the ball? Play-making from deep inside his own half? A free-kick 20 yards from goal? He does all of this. The numbers are even more staggering. An unmatchable eight Ballon d'Ors. Messi has scored over 850 goals for club and country; 672 goals for Barcelona (all-time highest); four Champions League titles and three FIFA best player awards.

Messi is everywhere.