Messi: A Magician and Humanitarian

Illustration by Paola Bilancieri.

Lionel Messi’s continued success as a soccer player calls for an explanation of his remarkable abilities. Together with the Brazilian player Pelé and the Argentinian Maradona, he is consistently ranked among the three best players in the history of the game, each one with his special talent. The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, although an excellent player, is considered by many below them.

How to compare Messi’s unique abilities with those of Ronaldo?