The latest in a Guardian Print Shop series featuring classic sports images from the likes of Gerry Cranham, Mark Leech and Tom Jenkins – yours to own for just £55 including free delivery
![Buy a classic sport photograph: magical Messi](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f37f3cead4d5bba0bd15e2872a286a80585239cd/0_122_2953_1773/master/2953.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=81f49196faf50315f995bccf97b2030a)
“I start early and I stay late, day after day, year after year; it took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success.” So said
Lionel Messi in a television advert in 2012, recalling his ascent to greatness at Barcelona. Now 32 and in the autumn of his career, the diminutive striker – nay, footballing God – continues to score at an unthinkable rate of almost a goal a game and could yet add to the 34 club titles (10 La Ligas; 6 Copa del Reys; 8 Supercopa de Españas; 4 Champions Leagues; 3 Uefa Super Cups; 3 Fifa Club World Cups) and six Ballon d’Ors he has accumulated over the years. This photograph was taken in Rome in 2009 when Messi inspired
Barcelona to a 2-0 victory over
Manchester United in the
Champions League final. The boyish delight etched across his face makes this a gem of a picture and fuels my admiration for his evergreen talents. Messi growing old and retiring? No thanks.