An XI of quality players humiliated by Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player of all time, so it's no surprise that he's let many of his decorated peers wipe metaphorical cream pies from their faces over the course of their careers.
Messi has bewitched supporters and opponents of Barcelona, PSG and Argentina since 2004 and he is so talented that there is almost no shame in being beaten by the maestro the size of a pint. Almost.
We've compiled an XI of superb footballers that Messi turned into shaky wrecks throughout his sensational career.
GK: Manuel NeuerBayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer was dynamic ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2015; he had won the World Cup nine months before, beating Messi's Argentina in the final, and was hailed as the best of his generation.
Messi sat him on his ass.
AR: James MilnerMilner was trying to dispossess Messi near the half line. The pint-sized Argentine took advantage of Milner's madness by running the ball between the Yorkshireman's legs which were conveniently located in different postcodes.
CB: Sergio RamosSit down, choose your favorite snack and watch 245 seconds of Messi leaving Ramos to consider a career in landscaping or amateur butchery.
CB: Jerome BoatengApril 2015 saw the end of Boateng's reputation as one of Europe's best defenders. We hope Messi paid for the operation on the German's broken ankles.
CEO: Roberto CarlosAfter receiving the ball and spotting Carlos zooming into his personal space, Messi slowed play to a break and set a trap for his golden opponent.
Carlos took the bait. As the World Cup winner considered pinching the ball, Messi let him stumble backwards like a bewildered drunk as he swept past. Beautiful.
CM: Paul ScholesScholes was often liked more by his European peers than by England fans, but he was firmly put in his place by a long-haired Messi in 2008.
Despite Manchester United beating Barcelona on that occasion, with Scholes scoring the winner, Messi gave a glimpse of his bright future by leaving the United midfielder for dead and grabbing his inhaler with his game of fast legs.
CM: David SilvaBarcelona's 2014-15 squad is often overlooked when discussing their best squads, but an attacking line of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez swept it all before them in Spain and Europe.
>Take for example this victory against Manchester City in the Champions League. Although Messi didn't even score a single goal in the game, his performances were phenomenal.
In the 26th minute of the first leg, Messi hit David Silva when he came up for a tackle. Silva certainly didn't try again.
CM: Toni KroosWe could have selected any of Real Madrid's golden midfield trios of the 2010s, but there was a wonderful juxtaposition between Messi's Latino flair and Kroos' breath and chip because of the warmth behind him.
Of course, we are doing a multiple Champions League winner a huge injustice in our description of him. But Messi has often reduced world-class operators to Sunday League plodders.
AD: Arjen RobbenRobben was a sensational winger in his prime for Bayern Munich, but a young Messi sent him back to the first boat in the Netherlands in a Champions League draw in 2006.
A curiously not bald Robben attempted to dispossess the teenage wonder only to find himself choked in dust as Messi dodged his sliding tackle and sped away.
ST: Cristiano RonaldoBesides all the Messi Ballon d'Or wins at Ronaldo's expense, which definitely keeps him awake at night, he also left us with the wonderful image of Cristiano munching on worms after a failed sliding tackle.
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona were at their best in that particular game against Real Madrid, depriving their nemesis of the ball and the chance to retain some dignity.
And, as Messi was tagged on goal, Ronaldo went into a desperate lunge to dispossess his arch-rival. It failed.
AG: NaniBarcelona's dismantling of Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final is considered by many to be one of the greatest club performances of all time.
And Messi, who scored and won Man of the Match for his performance, sent Nani on for an overpriced Wem...
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player of all time, so it's no surprise that he's let many of his decorated peers wipe metaphorical cream pies from their faces over the course of their careers.
Messi has bewitched supporters and opponents of Barcelona, PSG and Argentina since 2004 and he is so talented that there is almost no shame in being beaten by the maestro the size of a pint. Almost.
We've compiled an XI of superb footballers that Messi turned into shaky wrecks throughout his sensational career.
GK: Manuel NeuerBayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer was dynamic ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2015; he had won the World Cup nine months before, beating Messi's Argentina in the final, and was hailed as the best of his generation.
Messi sat him on his ass.
AR: James MilnerMilner was trying to dispossess Messi near the half line. The pint-sized Argentine took advantage of Milner's madness by running the ball between the Yorkshireman's legs which were conveniently located in different postcodes.
CB: Sergio RamosSit down, choose your favorite snack and watch 245 seconds of Messi leaving Ramos to consider a career in landscaping or amateur butchery.
CB: Jerome BoatengApril 2015 saw the end of Boateng's reputation as one of Europe's best defenders. We hope Messi paid for the operation on the German's broken ankles.
CEO: Roberto CarlosAfter receiving the ball and spotting Carlos zooming into his personal space, Messi slowed play to a break and set a trap for his golden opponent.
Carlos took the bait. As the World Cup winner considered pinching the ball, Messi let him stumble backwards like a bewildered drunk as he swept past. Beautiful.
CM: Paul ScholesScholes was often liked more by his European peers than by England fans, but he was firmly put in his place by a long-haired Messi in 2008.
Despite Manchester United beating Barcelona on that occasion, with Scholes scoring the winner, Messi gave a glimpse of his bright future by leaving the United midfielder for dead and grabbing his inhaler with his game of fast legs.
CM: David SilvaBarcelona's 2014-15 squad is often overlooked when discussing their best squads, but an attacking line of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez swept it all before them in Spain and Europe.
>Take for example this victory against Manchester City in the Champions League. Although Messi didn't even score a single goal in the game, his performances were phenomenal.
In the 26th minute of the first leg, Messi hit David Silva when he came up for a tackle. Silva certainly didn't try again.
CM: Toni KroosWe could have selected any of Real Madrid's golden midfield trios of the 2010s, but there was a wonderful juxtaposition between Messi's Latino flair and Kroos' breath and chip because of the warmth behind him.
Of course, we are doing a multiple Champions League winner a huge injustice in our description of him. But Messi has often reduced world-class operators to Sunday League plodders.
AD: Arjen RobbenRobben was a sensational winger in his prime for Bayern Munich, but a young Messi sent him back to the first boat in the Netherlands in a Champions League draw in 2006.
A curiously not bald Robben attempted to dispossess the teenage wonder only to find himself choked in dust as Messi dodged his sliding tackle and sped away.
ST: Cristiano RonaldoBesides all the Messi Ballon d'Or wins at Ronaldo's expense, which definitely keeps him awake at night, he also left us with the wonderful image of Cristiano munching on worms after a failed sliding tackle.
Pep Guardiola's Barcelona were at their best in that particular game against Real Madrid, depriving their nemesis of the ball and the chance to retain some dignity.
And, as Messi was tagged on goal, Ronaldo went into a desperate lunge to dispossess his arch-rival. It failed.
AG: NaniBarcelona's dismantling of Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final is considered by many to be one of the greatest club performances of all time.
And Messi, who scored and won Man of the Match for his performance, sent Nani on for an overpriced Wem...
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