Photo: Maja Hitij/FIFA/Getty Images Lionel Messi, by most estimates the greatest soccer player ever, celebrated his 39th birthday a little early this week at a World Cup that already has his name all over it. He did so in typical Messi fashion: with a series of improbable, elegant goals and a new record. Messi has now been at the top of the world’s most popular sport for nearly 22 years. He’s won a World Cup, four Champions Leagues, 13 league titles, eight Ballon d’Ors — more than anyone ever —