1. His performance last night proved once again that he thrives on the biggest of stages

2. Even Eamon Dunphy, who believes football is ‘dying’ and that Michel Platini was overrated, thinks he’s a genius

3. He is the all-time highest scorer in football’s biggest club competition

4. He was playing at a higher level than Cristiano Ronaldo at a younger age — both players broke the 10-goal mark in the 06-07 season for the first time, but Ronaldo is three years older than Messi  

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5. The Argentine star looks as good as ever this seaosn

Messi has been involved in over half of Barcelona’s goals (83 out of 162) and averages over a goal a game this season. He still has some way to go to match the 91 goals he scored in 2012 though.

6. Legendary Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi has compared him to Diego Maradona

7. He is capable of sending Spanish commentators into fits of ecstasy

8. He still thinks he can improve

9. Almost everyone seems to think he’s the best footballer ever

10. He has countless different dimensions to his game, some less well known than others

https://vine.co/v/eZEjjn96blJ

11. This video of 400 goals he’s scored with Barcelona says more than countless stats

12. He rarely dives

https://vine.co/v/M9zObDOjH1P

13. He has paid homage to Maradona’s famous goal against England

14. Even as a youngster, he was a prodigy

15. If Arsene Wenger says it, it must be true

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