LEGENDS
“I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Lionel Messi. Messi is a genius and I think he’s got everything it takes to become Argentina’s greatest player” — Diego Maradona (in 2006, when Messi was 18).
“I like Messi a lot, he’s a great player. Technically, we’re practically at the same level”
— Pele
“For me, to watch Messi play is a pleasure, it’s like having an orgasm, it’s an incredible pleasure” — Luis Figo
“Messi makes me realise how shit I was”
— Gary Lineker
“When did I realise it was time to retire? Probably when Messi was running past me in that home game” — David Beckham (referring to the match between PSG and Barcelona in 2013)
RIVALS
“Messi is a joke. For me the best ever”
— Wayne Rooney
“Messi’s like a PlayStation. He can take advantage of every mistake we make. He made the impossible possible. He has something exceptional.... Messi is the best player in the world, and by a distance”
— Arsene Wenger
“The best in the world. #Genius @leomessi... The best ever? I think so...”
— Steven Gerrard
“He is always going forward. He never passes the ball backwards or sideways. He has only one idea, to run towards the goal. So as a football fan, just enjoy the show” — Zinedine Zidane
“Messi does not need his right foot. He only uses the left and he’s still the best in the world. Imagine if he also used his right foot, then we would have serious problems”
— Zlatan Ibrahimovic
TEAMMATES
“I work with Leo every day, so I admire him not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch. I have fallen in love with him, he’s an idol and an example”
— Neymar
“And a living legend. The genius. #BallondOr winner for the 5th time. Lionel Messi. I am deeply honoured to be a part of this family”
— Arda Turan
“For me, Leo Messi is the best player in the world, you can’t compare him with anyone” — Luis Suarez
“There are no words to describe Leo. Trophies and football aside, he’s a great person and a great friend”
— Angel Di Maria
FANS
“My favourite footballer is Lionel Messi. I think he’s the best player of this generation.... I got a chance to meet him and it was a great experience”
— Ranbir Kapoor to t2 in 2012
“There’s never a dull moment when you’re watching a game that he’s part of. Even the sanest of commentators let their guard down while describing Messi wriggling past four, five and six defenders with alarming ease. That drop of the shoulder, the effortless change of pace and direction and the nutmeg that embarrasses the best — he has them all in his armoury” — Sunil Chhetri, India Football Team captain, on why he voted for Messi at the Ballon d’Or this year.
THE MAN HIMSELF
On being compared to Diego Maradona...
Diego is Diego and for me he is the greatest player of all time. Even after a million years I am not even going to be close to Maradona.
On his love for the game...
Money doesn’t thrill me or make me play better.... I’m just happy with a ball at my feet. My motivation comes from playing the game I love. If I wasn’t paid to be a professional footballer I would willingly play for nothing.
On winning...
Sometimes you have to accept you can’t win all the time.
FORMER TEAMMATES
“This award (Ballon d’Or 2006) says I’m the best player in the world, but I’m not even the best player at Barcelona. Leo Messi reminds me more of Maradona, both left-footed and short. For us it is not a surprise. Since he began to come and train with us and we knew he would go down this path. Someday I will explain that I was at the birth of one of the footballing greats, Leo Messi”
— Ronaldinho
“He is a spectacular player, there is nobody else like him. I should know because I have suffered so much in training. I think he is the best forward at the moment and I think he will be so for many more years. He has his feet on the ground” — Carles Puyol
“It is clear that Messi is on a level above all others. Those who do not see that are blind” — Xavi
“What Leo does is so incredible that I have to be careful not to stand still watching him make his moves” — Thierry Henry
“Lionel Messi? When I played against him at Sevilla it was always very difficult, so now I’m pleased that we’re on the same side. He’s just fantastic” — Dani Alves
A T2 READER
Happy 29th birthday to the man who is the best thing to have ever happened to me. He is a gift from God and I hope he keeps on breaking records for fun in his Barcelona and Argentina jersey. Also, all the best for the Copa America Centenario final and your new look is just fab. Love you to the moon and back.
Anushka Paul, Our Lady Queen of the Missions School, Salt Lake
TEAM T2
Joy is the middle name of Lionel Messi. He gives us joy like no other sportsman. Why? Because he plays with joy, like a boy on the Maidan scoring his first goal.
He is The Cutest. From that smile after scoring yet another goal to that tat of son Thiago on his left leg!
Messi is The Best we have seen. Period.
To make it 29, send a birthday message for Messi to t2@abp.in
