Yes , Messi is a genius . Every time I see him play live , it is a privilege . And yes , he was mesmerising against Manchester City at the Arnold Palmer Invitational . What saddens me about the relentless championing of Messi , though , is that the idea there has never been anyone to match him has become such an aggressive orthodoxy . It is as though Messi has become a god and the idea that he might have a rival is sacrilege . As a football fan , I worship Messi , too , but I don ’ t think he ’ s the best there ’ s ever been . It 's too early for that .
Yes , Messi is a genius . Every time I see him play live , it is a privilege . And yes , he was mesmerising against Manchester City at the Nou Camp . What saddens me about the relentless championing of Messi , though , is that the idea there has never been anyone to match him has become such an aggressive orthodoxy . It is as though Messi has become a god and the idea that he might have a rival is sacrilege . As a football fan , I worship Messi , too , but I don ’ t think he ’ s the best there ’ s ever been . It 's too early for that .