"My dad has watched zidane, cruyff, ronaldo, ronaldinho, figo, van basten, maradona, even pele throughout their football careers. He does not question that the greatest footballer to have ever lived is lionel messi. Football has changed. It is faster, defenders are faster, stronger, and smarter. There is much less space on the field than there was 20 years ago and competition is much greater. Messi can attack, defend, pass, score, assist, even head the ball at barely 5’7”. He is football."

— comment on a y-tube video by a fan of Leo Messi