Lionel Messi could perhaps be the most cherished and adorable exponent of football. The recent match between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain is yet another proof of his calibre

Messi is the best player in the world and he changed the game just by being on the pitch. We have to congratulate him for his show of commitment to the team and to football,? said David Villa.

On Wednesday night at Camp Nou, Lionel Messi surpassed his own impeccable standards. ?On one leg?, he inspired Barcelona to edge past Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and reach the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth time in a row. But his heroics in that game was not about his soccer sorcery. It was a lot more about his courage and dedication. The little-big man was hamstrung. He suffered the injury during the first leg quarter-finals between the two sides and left the field at half time. He couldn?t play Barcelona?s La Liga fixture that followed the Champions League match.

Usually, hamstring injury needs two-four weeks of rehab. Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura admitted that Messi was not fit enough to play the return leg. He was kept on the bench for emergency. After Barcelona went down to Javier Pastore?s strike, the team management was forced to use him as a last-ditch attempt to avert elimination. Without Messi, Barcelona looked anaemic. Even the great Xavi and Iniesta played as if they were bemoaning the absence of their talisman. The Catalan giants equalised withing nine minutes of Messi?s arrival?the move started with the Argentine and was finished by Pedro via Villa. The goal secured Barca?s place in the last four.

It was not easy for Messi. He was feeling the pain. For the last 15 minutes, he could barely move at pace. But just his presence gave his side a huge lift. On home patch, Barcelona didn?t have a single shot on target before Messi came on 62 minutes. There?s another statistic which is far more revealing. Over the two legs, PSG scored three times and conceded only once when Messi was not on the pitch. It goes to show just how much a difference he makes.

It is highly debatable if any other professional footballer would have taken such a big risk. Any further damage to his right hamstring could have jeopardised Messi?s football career. But this man is different.

There?s a certain old-world romanticism attached to the little master. Unlike his peers, he doesn?t run after money and is completely loyal to his club where he came as a 13-year-old in 2000 and was treated for his growth hormone deficiency. And Messi cares for his country as well. He doesn?t hesitate to come to Kolkata for an inconsequential international friendly against Venezuela. He doesn?t think twice to go to La Paz and play a World Cup qualifier at almost 13,000 ft. Into thin air he gasped for breath, vomited, had to put on the oxygen mask but played till the end.

Rest and rotation have become buzzwords in modern football. Players and managers use ?gruelling itinerary? as an excuse whenever performances drop. Rio Ferdinand snubbed England because he had a specific training programme to follow at Manchester United. He went to Doha instead to give his expert opinion on TV. It is condemnable the way the United centre-half was targeted by the England fans for his decision. But Ferdinand put his own interests above his country.

Unfortunately, this is very common in today?s world. Professional players are known to act ?professionally?. Messi is a rare exception.

He has played every single La Liga match this season except the last one. He hasn?t skipped a Champions League fixture either and also played in Copa del Rey and the Super Cup. Circa 2012-13, he has scored 57 goals for his club in all competitions.

Messi has led Argentina in all World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies this season but never complained of fatigue. Let?s get it clear, Messi is the best to ever play the game of football. World Cup remains a black hole but at 25 years of age, he still has enough time to achieve that milestone. He plays in one of the world?s most high-profile and competitive football leagues with amazing consistency. He does it with immaculate ease in the Champions League, which is widely recognised as the world?s most difficult football tournament.

Comparisons are often being drawn between Messi and his compatriot Diego Maradona. This is because of their playing styles and stature?at 5ft 7in, Messi is just a couple of inches taller than his illustrious but hugely controversial predecessor. But Maradona has never been a role model, both on and off the field. He allegedly had issues with drugs and the Italian underworld. On the field also, he had his ?Hand of God? moment, which was tantamount to cheating.

Messi plays the game fair and square and with dignity. On the field, he is selflessness personified despite being the brightest star in the Barca constellation. But Messi?s influence is not just restricted to football. Fathers want their children to play and behave like him. Coaches want their wards to follow him. At Camp Nou on Wednesday, Messi once again showed why he is special. On that night, he gave the game an opportunity to thank its most cherished and adorable exponent.