Lionel Messi spent 2014 dazzling the world with his superhuman ability to dribble and kick—breaking world records for goals scored in the very upper echelons of professional soccer in the process. Turns out he doesn’t need teammates or a field to blow our minds.
Here’s a recent turn from a Japanese variety show where Messi is asked to boot a ball 60 feet up over a high beam (a relatively easy task for a pro), then land the damn thing on his foot and control it.
In addition to being maybe the greatest soccer player in history, Messi isn’t above doing stupid pet tricks for thrills. This speaks to his perpetually creative craftsmanship.
Sure, it’s pretty sweet, but can Messi vogue while selling out for shampoo like his Barcelona teammate, Neymar?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHdI_1gXP0E
Advantage: Neymar.
Photo via adidafansnet/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)