Messi

Messi was the top scorer of the 2005 FFA World Youth Championship with six goals. in 2006, he became the youngest Argentine to play in the FIFA World Cup and he own a runners- up medal at the Copa America tournament the following year, in which he was elected the young player of the tournament. In 2008, he won his first international honour, an Olympic gold medal,with the Argentina Olympic football team. Sportspro has rated Lionel Messi as the second_ most marketable athlete in the world. His playing style and stature have drawn comparisons to compatriot Diego Maradona, who him self declared Messi his "successor".

Messi also proved the "new Maradona" tag was not all hype, by nearly replicating Maradona's most famous goals in the space of the single season. Messi was named winner of the 2009 Ballon'Or on 1 December 2009, beating runner- up Christiano Ronaldo by largest ever margin of 473 to 233. He also placed 2nd in the 2009 IFFHS World's Best Playmarker Award. Behind team mate Xavi Henandez.