5 times the game was changed by a swing of Messi's left foot

#2 Messi came off the bench to rescue Barcelona from the brink of elimination in the Champions League tie against PSG

"..to change the psychology and mentality of all of your teammates and all of the stadium.. Just recognise how special he is."

It was the second leg of the Champions league quarter final draw between Barcelona and PSG and the year was 2012. Messi had sustained a hamstring injury from the first leg and wasn't fit to play the subsequent fixture, but Barcelona knew better than to submit a team sheet without their prized possession's name on it.

Considering the nature of hamstring injuries Barcelona were weary of wanting to use the Argentine in the reverse leg and barring a major catastrophe, Messi wouldn't be involved in the game. But then, catastrophe struck.

Javier Pastore found himself with the ball and acres of space ahead of him which he utilised to the benefit of the Parisians and bundled the ball in off Victor Valdes to put his side in the driver's seat with one foot in the semis. It was 2-3 on aggregate.

The celebrations were a little immature as the 4 time Champions League winner sent himself to warm up without waiting for any instructions from the managing staff. Messi made the call to enter the fray soon after and the rest as they say is history.

The Argentine was far from a 100 percent fit, but you wouldn't've noticed, as he got on the ball for his side and started to get his team believing again. What a feeling it must be to see him come on for your side. That feeling of inevitability that we spoke about, always surrounds the ridiculously talented footballer.

The heartbeat of the Barcelona had gotten going again and suddenly there was life.

The wizard picked the ball up in the middle of the park - a touch to kill the ball and draw Marco Verratti in, a second, third and a fourth to get away from the Italian, a fifth to come inside the veteran Tiago Motta before splitting three defenders with a pass to find David Villa who laid it off to Pedro - who drilled the ball home.

It was as if the whole level of performance, put in by the team, went up a few notches the moment the genius stepped onto the field. He didn't even have to score. All he did was inspire. And of course sprinkled a little bit of gold dust - that only he possesses - on the match.

The record will reflect that it was Pedro's goal that saved Barcelona from elimination, but the collective consciousness of the footballing world, has quite another story to tell.