For all the hindsight that now calls Messi the greatest living player on Earth, what made Messi's career with FC Barcelona so captivating was his longtime rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Rodrigo De Paul has lifted the lid on the powerful influence Lionel Messi exerts on those around him, praising the Argentina captain’s ability to lead through action rather than words. The Atletico Madrid midfielder offered rare insight into Messi’s understated authority while also hinting that their on-field chemistry might soon be rekindled,