Over the course of sports history, very rarely have people come to a consensus on anything.
Lionel Messi, though, is different: everyone agrees that he's the best player in the world right now and is well on his way to becoming one of the best of all time.
Except, just maybe, he isn't. Let's put on our contrarian hats and consider the other players who could conceivably be compared to Leo.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, 27
Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Barcelona, 32 and 27
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, 26
Thiago Silva, AC Milan, 27
Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid, 23
Robin van Persie, Arsenal, 28
Iker Casillas, Real Madrid, 30
Luis Suarez, Liverpool, 25
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich, 27
Reminder: NONE OF THESE PLAYERS ARE ACTUALLY BETTER THAN MESSI. But they're as close as anyone gets.