If you live long enough, you will probably witness Kylian Mbappรฉ break many of Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring records. Football evolves, matches increase, sports science improves, and extraordinary goalscorers will continue to emerge.
But Lionel Messi represents something far rarer than numbers.
Goals can be counted. Assists can be counted. Trophies can be counted. Records are made to be broken. Yet footballing genius, vision, creativity, balance, close control, and the ability to make the impossible look effortless cannot simply be measured on a statistics sheet.
Messi is not remembered only because he scored goals. He is remembered because he changed how people understood football. He could control the tempo of a match, unlock the tightest defenses with a single pass, dribble through an entire team, create chances from nothing, and still finish with breathtaking composure.
There will be prolific scorers. There will be fast players. There will be complete forwards. But players who combine elite playmaking, dribbling, finishing, football intelligence, consistency, longevity, and artistry at Messi's level are exceptionally rare.
Generations may produce another great goalscorer. They may even produce another Ronaldo. But producing another Messi is a challenge that football itself may wait decades to witness.
Some players dominate records. Messi defined an era.
Earlier today, Mr. John Ehidreme, 56, was arrested for illegally dumping refuse into a drainage channel at No. 18 Oluoga, Ikorodu.
The Lagos State Government reiterates that indiscriminate waste disposal is a violation of environmental laws, as it obstructs drainage channels, contributes to flooding, and poses significant public health and environmental risks.
Residents are urged to dispose of waste responsibly and use only approved waste management facilities.
#CleanerLagos