The Whole Delivery

Focus: How Lionel Messi Already Merits Being Right Next To Maradona And Pele, Even Without A World Cup Title  Photo from Getty Images   He posted a final message on Facebook, enthralled by what is to come forth. He wasn’t born the last time his nation won a World Cup, barely born the last time they were in a World Cup final. It’s another step taken on the legacy of a 27-year-old from the town of Rosario, a legacy that has featured a tournament where he has answered all of the questions from any of his rational critics looking for that one incompletion on a glorious resume. Yes, even before the final that could give him the one trophy missing from his glorious cabinet, Lionel Messi has answered any of the final doubts about his claims to be the greatest footballer in history with his monthly display in the rival nation of Brazil. “Tomorrow we will play the most important match of our lives with this t-shirt,” Messi wrote on his Facebook page. “My dreams and my...

(Photo from daviscup.com) Jubilee for Spain as they win the Davis Cup on the road, and without Rafael Nadal Make no bones about it, this was another memorable Davis Cup Final for the ages. And despite the fact that it didn't come to a deciding rubber, it was nevertheless a joy to watch. That's of course, if you were a neutral or, even better, a Spaniard. Because of you were an Argentine that day, it was, and still is, a period of national misery. Without Rafael Nadal, Spain looked destined to remain at two Davis Cup titles, as their counterparts looked poised to capture their first international championship in the city of Marta Del Pata. And that outcome seemed inevitable when David Nalbandian scored his 17th Davis Cup tie victory with a comprehensive beating of David Ferrer in the opener. Ferrer, who whenever he plays Nalbandian usually outworks and frustrates him into defeat (hence Ferrer's 6-3 head to head advantage coming into their match), had nothing, and showed th...