It was never in doubt anyway but Lionel Messi finally put an end to the tired and trite debate once and for all when he held the World Cup aloft. The fairytale last act to a career of utter fantasy. Legacy secured beyond reproach.
In the minds of many Messi was already the best player of his generation if not of all time and how fortunate we've been to witness his awe-inspiring reign at the top of the mountain, from the first steps of the climb to the crowning achievement. Yet, despite all the goals, all the medals and the countless moments of breathtaking magic, the World Cup remained a resounding void in his list of honours. A stick that could always be used in a desperate attempt to downplay Messi's excellence.
That was until at the age of 35 he inspired a team of talented, heroic, unrelenting and just a little bit nauseating (Emi Martinez, that is) Argentina to their third World Cup triumph. The first since the man whose footsteps he has danced in for all his life, Diego Maradona, did exactly the same thing.
