If there's an MVP in soccer it's Lionel Messi. The Argentinian soccer player scored 91 goals in 2012 breaking the single-season record and won the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Just a month after breaking the scoring record, Messi took the award and broke another record by winning the fourth Ballon d'Or of his career. With the award, Messi surpassed Zinedine Zidane of France and the Brazilian Ronald who both won the award three times in their soccer careers.
At age 25, Messi is considered the best soccer player on the planet today. Right behind Messi in the voting was Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo who has taken a backseat in the sport once Messi showed up. However, Ronaldo remains cool and says Messi's control of the award does not bother him at all.
"It is not a prize of life or death," said Ronaldo, denying reports that Messi's monopoly of the award is a source of frustration. "I do not feel much rivalry, at least not personally. Of course we are here to win, but there is no rivalry. It is just about the football -- that is what counts."
Messi is now rocking the Barcelona stripes and wherever he goes, he attracts hundreds and thousands. Here's the scene a couple of days after Christmas as he was driving by his Argentina.
He's almost as cool being crowded by people asking for autographs as he is scoring goals on the field.
Messi also proved to have some love for the camera and not shying away from competing with internationally known superstars like the great Kobe Bryant. They shot a Turkish Airlines commercial that is now airing all over television stations.
So not only is he the greatest soccer player active today, but he is winning the hearts of millions across the world and gaining more and more supporters each day.
