But how far can Messi carry this team? He already bailed them out against NYCFC in MLS play, he already won the first leg of this Champions Cup tie, and if necessary, he’ll probably step up again.

"He's still not at the heights of Maradona and Pele, but he's not far away." Drogba snubbed the name of Cristiano Ronaldo at that time and affirmed that winning a World Cup would solidify Messi's ...