Happy 26th Birthday to the living legend known as Lionel Messi

[VIDEO PICK: La Pulga] Born Lionel Andres Messi on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, the once scrawny little boy with the imperfect legs turns 26 years old on Monday, but neither records or awards convey his lasting impact on how the world views soccer.

Are you really expecting me to come up with something original to say about Leo Messi? Is such a thing even possible? He might’ve been called diminutive more than any other human, but the word "small" should be kept far, far, away from Leo.

Choose your metric: goal tally, assist figures, Ballon d’Or gluttony, sagging trophy cases, Q Rating, aw shucks brilliance, genuine humility, jaw-dropping strength, toughness belying his cool demeanor, the man is a living breathing testament to how all sports are intended to be played, Messi ticks all boxes.

What is there left to say? I don’t know, but I am sure we’d all be quite pleased to see this Argentine icon continue his benevolent rule over Planet Soccer, and, --- Feliz Cumpleaños Lionel ...

5 comments about "Happy 26th Birthday to the living legend known as Lionel Messi ".
  1. promise daniel, June 24, 2013 at 3:10 a.m.

    happybirthday to u messi

  2. Allan Lindh, June 24, 2013 at 1:22 p.m.

    And you don't even mention that he is the soul of honor. Probably the target of more intentional fouling than any other player, he struggles to stay on his feet no matter how gross the tackle -- no diving, no rolling about writhing in feigned pain, rarely even asks the ref for protection. Sets the standard for a team of real integrity.

  3. Alex G. Sicre, June 24, 2013 at 5:25 p.m.

    Messi the magician, best player on the planet. Feliz cumpleanos Leo.

  4. Kent James, June 25, 2013 at 9:47 a.m.

    Allan, you said it. Pure class.

  5. haroldito a, June 29, 2013 at 6:34 p.m.

    THE BEST !!!!! TO THE BEST !!!!!!

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