Lionel Messi is one of the most famous football players in the world. In his 19-year-long campaign as a professional soccer player, he has made himself a world-renowned household name, a feat few professional athletes have achieved.

He was born and raised in central Argentina, but at thirteen, his family moved him to Spain to pursue a professional career as a soccer player. He has since become the Captain of the Argentina national team and is widely known as the best soccer player alive. Throughout his career, Messi has a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes.

His record-breaking does not end there. He currently holds the national record for most  appearances on the Argentina national team, along with the record for the country’s all-time leading goal scorer.

His teammates also speak very highly of him. Here are some quotes about the greatest football player on earth.

“Messi is a genius. He has everything. When I watch him, I see a player who is very, very, skillful, very clever, and his left foot is like Diego Maradona’s.” – Franz Beckenbauer

“The other day, I saw one of his games. He was running with the ball at a hundred percent full speed, I don’t know how many touches he took, maybe five or six, but the ball was glued to his foot. It’s practically impossible.” – Raul

“He is the best in the world. Football seems easy when he plays it.” – Bacary Sagna

“I can’t believe anyone can have played the game of football as well as Messi.” – Michael Owen

And my personal favorite: “Don’t write about him, don’t try to describe him. Just watch him.” – Pep Guardiola