LIONEL MESSI's genius on a football pitch should come as no surprise to anyone.
The Argentine captured the hearts of football fans from the moment he made his professional debut in 2004 for Barcelona aged 17.
Since that day, he has gone on to play a part in 1,157 goals, winning SEVEN Ballon d'Ors and 40 trophies at club and international level – making him the second-most decorated player EVER.
But the now 35-year-old is still as active as ever, playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
And he added another piece of playmaking to an already jaw-dropping highlight reel, playing a perfect pass into Neymar while lying on the ground.
Messi was attacking in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Nice when he was bundled to the floor by ex-Southampton star Mario Lemina.
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Despite losing his balance, Messi used his ankle to flick the ball onto his laces and play a pass to team-mate Neymar to keep the move alive.
In the same game, Messi scored a show-stopping free-kick.
He left Nice's Kasper Schmeichel rooted to the spot as he picked out the top right corner.
It was Messi's seventh goal of the season, taking his goal contributions tally to 15 for the season.
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Messi will also be hoping to lead Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar this November-December.
The South American side are heading into the tournament Copa America and Finalissima winners.
They're also on an incredible 35-game unbeaten run stretching back to 2019.
Messi has featured in a World Cup final once back in 2014, but suffered heartbreak to Germany in Brazil.
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