Lionel Messi (Image: Archant)
The pint-sized wizard is the highest-paid player in world football, and seen by many as the best.
He recently signed a new £16.3m-a-year deal to keep him at Barcelona until 2018.
However, by his sublime standards, he endured a somewhat quiet campaign for the Spanish giants and will be hoping to enjoy a good tournament in Brazil.
Critics suggest that this summer he needs to flourish to prove his greatness.
• Country: Argentina
• Position: Forward
• Age: 26
• Current club: Barcelona
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here