Messi's historic five: Olympics, Champions League, Copa América, World Cup, Ballon d'Or

Messi's historic five: Olympics, Champions League, Copa América, World Cup, Ballon d'Or

| sport

No one else has won all five trophies during the career

Divine, poetic and football justice. Lionel Messi put the finishing touch to his stratospheric and incomparable professional career, reaching the Olympus of the sport, crowning himself world champion with Argentina. Thirty-six years after their last World Cup success, the Albiceleste added the third star to their shit. And, after Kempes and Maradona, it was Leo's turn.

It was the only trophy that was missing from his cabinet, which is why some still refused to recognise him as the best footballer ever. Now the few doubts have vanished. There are no arguments for his detractors: he has been, is and, most likely, will always be the best ever in this sport called football.

The difficult thing is not to arrive, but to stay and Leo has been at the top for 15 years. Unprecedented consistency. Beyond the titles and distinctions -- and there are a few! -- what is indelible are the emotions that he has aroused in millions of people.

When some try to remember his legacy, however, they will look at his record. At the moment, 42 trophies: 10 leagues, seven cups, eight Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three European Super Cups, three Club World Cups with Barça; a league and a Super Cup with PSG and an Olympic Games, an U-20 World Cup, a Copa América, a Champions Cup and a World Cup with Argentina. In addition to seven Ballons d'Or, six Golden Boots and one The Best award.

Leo Messi con la medalla de los Juegos Olímpicos, la Champions, el Mundial, el Balón de Oro y la Copa América

| EFE / AFP

He is the only player in history who has managed to win the Olympic Games, Champions League, Copa América, World Cup and Ballon d'Or. In addition, he has also written his name in gold letters in the World Cup record book, being the footballer with the most tournaments played (5), tied with the Mexicans Carbajal, Márquez, Ochoa and Guardado, Germany's Matthäus, Italy's Buffon and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also the player with the most appearances in the competition (26), the most minutes (2,314), Argentina's top scorer (13), the most assists (8, the same as Maradona), the only player to score in all phases of a World Cup and the most MVPs (11).

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