What is the relationship between Lionel Messi and Argentina? The answer is simple: Messi is Argentina. His is the first name that springs to mind when Argentina is mentioned, whatever language is being spoken, in any corner of the planet.
If football is a global phenomenon, Messi (No. 3 in the ESPN World Fame 100 rankings) is synonymous with football. As he approaches his 30th birthday, his talent remains intact -- a perfect combination of goals, assists and skills that he delivers week after week. Familiarity breeds a degree of contempt, and maybe we fail to appreciate the true scale of his achievements.
With more than 150 million combined followers on Instagram and Facebook, Barcelona's No. 10 is in the news for what he does both on and off the pitch. His new look, his dog, his amazing shirt collection, how his children are growing up -- everything is headline news in the media and on social networks.
It is hard to find other examples of players who have remained at the top of their game for such a long time. As a youngster he was a difference-maker, and he grew to become arguably the best player in the world, leading to his rivalry with another all-time great in Cristiano Ronaldo.
He began the 2016-17 season by winning the Spanish Super Cup. He scored a goal and laid on two assists for Barcelona in a resounding 5-0 aggregate victory over a Sevilla side led by Jorge Sampaoli, who possibly will be Argentina's next national coach.
He finished 2016 as the top scorer in the world (59 goals), matched Raul's record of having scored against the most La Liga opponents (35), was involved in the historic comeback against Paris-Saint Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League, starred in the dramatic 3-2 Clasico victory at the Bernabeu and reached 500 goals for Barcelona, among other highlights.
In a season where Barcelona failed to win any major titles after being knocked out in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and seeing Real Madrid secure La Liga on the last day of the season, Messi still comfortably won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga's top scorer with 37 goals in 34 games, forming part of a brilliant forward line with Luis Suarez and Neymar.
It might seem incredible, but Messi still has his critics who question his failure to win anything with Argentina. Is there anyone in today's game who can single-handedly win a title? Surely that is beyond even the most dominant of players.
Nobody regrets the lack of success with the national team more than Messi. The scars from the last two Copa America finals and, above all, the 2014 World Cup final defeat against Germany in the legendary Maracana Stadium still run deep.
The comparisons with Diego Maradona are as tedious as they are inevitable. That is a debate that will never be settled, unless the Rosario-born star one day lifts the World Cup.
Messi's retirement from international football after Argentina's loss in the final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario led to a widespread clamor for his return. Leo soon reversed his decision and returned to lead La Albiceleste, although he still refuses to speak to the press.
On the field, injuries ruled Messi out of several games for an Argentina side led by Edgardo Bauza, following Gerardo Martino's departure, and his absence was keenly felt. So much so that Argentina are set to appoint yet another new coach with only four games remaining in South American qualifying.
Messi went on to receive a four-match ban after abusing an assistant referee in the victory against Chile in Buenos Aires, a disaster for Argentina given their precarious position in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, FIFA overturned its ruling and lifted the ban, which is great news for the fans and the future coach. All is calm again, for now. Things will be easier in future tricky run-ins if the captain calls for the ball, soaks up the pressure and encourages his teammates.
It is clear: Messi is Argentina.
Nicolas Baier is based in Buenos Aires and covers football for ESPN Argentina.