Everyone Loves Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi - The Best in the World?

Lionel Messi! The name alone must send chills down the spines of any defender unlucky enough to come face to face with him because he has made some of the best defenders in the world look like they should be playing for Rubishchester United!

After being beaten 4-1 by Barcelona in last season's Champion's League, Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger said of the 23 year-old "Once he's on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He's the only player who can change direction at such a pace. He is the best player in the world by some distance. He's like a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make."

But if Wengers's words aren't enough to convince you, perhaps the statistics from the season so far will show just how magic he is on a football pitch. So far, this season he has made 43 appearances and scored 45 goals - that's more than one goal in every game and he is playing regularly against the best defenders in world football. On top of that he has made 21 assists, earns 8.1 Million pounds a year and if anyone wanted to buy him they would have to pay Barcelona £220 Million Pounds! Wow!

The best thing about it all is he is also a really nice guy. He doesn't get stroppy or swear into cameras, he plays with a big smile on his face and just loves to kick a football - a gentleman and a role model one might say!

Here is a great video showing a few of those magical dribbles and goals...