It says something about the staggering standards of excellence that the diminutive No.10 has set for himself that a year in which he inspired his club side to a domestic double and his country to a third final in three years can be considered slightly below par. Indeed, at regular intervals over the past 12 months, Messi reminded everyone just why he is not competing for the title of the best player in the world but the greatest of all time, with his performance in Argentina's Copa America semi-final demolition of USA a particular highlight.
