It is no longer just a debate about Pelé and Maradona. The modern game has it’s own footballing great.

Watch and enjoy the legend, Messi.

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The consensus of opinion about Messi’s credentials for the title of worlds best footballer has gained further weight recently, following recent performances for Barcelona, including last season’s  Champions League final against Manchester United. If he is currently the worlds best football player, can we make valid comparisons with the likes of Maradona and Pele now or must we wait to do so when Messi’s career concludes, perhaps many years ahead? Let’s look at Messi’s career to date.

Having started his professional career at his home-town club Newell’s Old Boys, in Rosario, he moved to Spain in 2000 and joined Barcelona’s youth team. He made quick progress through the ranks and following spells in the youth side and B team, he made his senior first team debut in the 2004/5 season. He scored his first senior goal just a couple of months short of his 18th birthday in May 2005 which made him Barcelona’s youngest ever scorer in La Liga.

His skills at international level first came to the fore in the 2005 World Youth Championships which was won by Argentina and Messi notched up a 6 goal tally. His performances in the tournament were rewarded by the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.

Whilst just 18 years of age at this point, comparisons were already being made with Maradona and it is easy to see why. At 5 feet 6 inches tall, his compact physique provides a similarly low centre of gravity which serves him well in staying on his feet as defenders try and halt his mazy runs. Like Maradona, he rides tackles very well and is very difficult to dispossess.

Senior club honours were to follow and Messi has already won 5 La Liga winners medals, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Uefa Super Cup, 1 Club World Cup and a remarkable 3 Champions League medals.

On an individual basis, he has been rewarded with 3 consecutive Ballon D’or trophies and World Player of the Year.

His international career with Argentina remains somewhat unfulfilled in terms of potential and his goalscoring rate for Argentina at a rate of one goal every 3.4 games falls way short of his club record of a goal every 1.49 games. The differing style of play between Barcelona and Argentina perhaps accounts for some of that difference.

Do you think Messi really needs to win a World Cup or 2 before he can be considered in the same company as Maradona and Pele or is he already demonstrating through his club career that he can be called the greatest footballer in history?

Let’s have your views.