Messi – Why a Great But Not the Greatest Yet

So the 25 year old wizard born in Rosario, Santa Fe Province in Argentina, has broken the record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year. Formerly held by West German Gerd Muller nicknamed Der Bomber, Messi has another record to add to his list But what does it mean?
Does it make him an all time great?
It could be said that the number of goals scored by one player is not really a barometer of greatness. Does it not depend on the standard of the opposition or the team within which you are playing? La Liga is a technically superb league, but there are some easy pickings for a goal hungry predator.
Barcelona have been called the best team ever, so clearly lucky Lionel has some useful allies to load the lethal gun that is his left foot.
So how can Messi become great judged against other measures?
Pele had quality Brazilian players in the international side that dominated for decades. The quality is undeniable but mainly his name is right up there being the only footballer to ever win the prestigious World Cup three times. Given his age, surely Messi cannot repeat that but there are more things missing.
He needs to dominate a World Cup in a way that his compatriot Diego Maradona did in 1986 and 1990, when Argentina were winners and then runners up. It is not that Messi does not have passion for Argentina but Maradona was something else, he was on another level when he wore those blue and white stripes.
In 1990 particularly, Maradona dragged an ordinary team to the final against Germany almost on his own by brilliance and bloody mindedness. Messi has to do the same to be called an all time great.
There is still a suspicion that he can be marked out of a game, even become anonymous. Maradona refused to let that happen. He would always have an influence, even if it was controversial, ask Peter Shilton. He had that ruthlessness, hunger and a nasty streak, which made him a winner. Is Messi too nice?
The alternative view is that Maradona played in the era of the European Cup, not Champions League. The World Cup was everything. The greatest opportunity to show the world your skills. It was the number one priority.
Can that be said now? Would Diego have been so hungry, so passionate about the World Cup, if in between times he had played three years of Champions League? Yes is probably the answer, but is Messi a great, is still a question that at 25, he has time to answer.
Football betting experts are sure to have him as the favourite to be the leading scorer in La Liga once more, as well as the Champions League.