Last night’s Fifa Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich saw Lionel Messi confirmed as the best player in the world for the third consecutive year. He is now in the company of Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten, who are the only other players to have won the award on three separate occasions. It is a remarkable feat for someone aged only 24.

It seemed almost inconceivable that he may not win the award after scoring 31 goals in 33 games domestically and 12 goals in 13 games in the Champions League. When you consider that he also added 21 assists in those games it almost seems pointless for the other nominees to attend. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t. However, even after all these impressive stats there are a few who feel he must still produce for Argentina to be considered a true legend of the game.

The comparisons with a certain Diego Maradona are unavoidable. Both left footed, both diminutive in stature, both scorers of wonder goals and of course both Argentines. Last Christmas, I read ‘Messi’ by Luca Caioli, a fascinating insight into the young mans life and career thus far. One gripe with the book was the seemingly continual comparison between the two; in almost every interview he conducted with someone about Messi the inevitable question was continually asked – ‘is Messi as good as Maradona?’ I have to admit that towards the end of the book I had grown a little bored of reading people’s opinions on the topic because the argument is futile.

Modern sport is full of these comparisons; the England cricket side tried for 20 years to find the next Ian Botham, Wayne Rooney was considered the next Paul Gascoigne – it could go on forever. Sport, like life, is ever changing and evolving into differing facets and styles. Who knows if Maradona would have been able to do what he did with today’s overall fitness levels? Would Messi have been able to change Barcelona’s fortunes at a time when there was far more emphasis on the physical side of the game? All these answers are hypothetical as we have no way to obtain an answer unless H.G. Well’s Time Machine is finally manufactured.

The simple fact is that Messi is without doubt the best player on the planet at this moment in time. His nearest rival is either Cristiano Ronaldo or Xavi. The former is another wonderful player but can at times appear to be very egocentric, which holds him back when being considered for awards of this magnitude. The later is probably the best passer of a football the game has seen for a long time and someone who has aided Messi’s dominance in recent years. In his last 32 games Xavi has played 3744 passes with a 94% completion rate – quite simply phenomenal.

What separates Messi from the rest is his acceleration and impeccable ball control when moving at pace. After Barcelona humbled Arsenal two years ago Arsene Wenger commented that he had never seen a player who could change direction at such speed. He is able to make even the best defenders look foolish and when they look up he simply smiles at them. It must be remembered that even during these days of huge finances in football and it being considered a business it must remain fun and nobody appears to get as much enjoyment out of playing as Messi does.

Last night’s illustrious award confirms his rightful place in the pantheon of football history. A talent like this only comes along every so often and he should be enjoyed and treasured in equal measure. Whilst his detractors will continue to compare and criticise his performances, they should consider this thought; sport is about innovation and should not merely be about imitation.

Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and will go on to be regarded as the greatest ever by the end of his career.

Photo courtesy of bleacherreport.