I got massively downvoted for saying Messi declined. In all honesty I am saying this, and I emphasize "honestly", because I am waiting for someone or something to prove me wrong. I am 28 years old, I was 12 years old when I first heard of Messi and started following him ever since, and the rest is history. I'm no weirdo or no no-lif-er saying this (I do have a family, a good career in construction project management and so on) but I love the guy. He made me fall in love with football and even though I was a United fan maybe from when I was eleven, but I always put Messi on top because he was a generational talent. I always said when United played Barca that Messi and Barca need to win, United have all the time in the world to win (ironically doesn't seem like it since Fergie left), but Messi has 10 to 15 years to play and needs to win it all because he's the one, he's special. I also started to love Barcelona, I've been there last summer and I loved it. I do not consider myself a "plastic fan", on the other hand you may consider what you want. But this is the truth. Anyway, don't want to bore y'all, I recall 2013-2014 injury plagued season when I thought that was it, but he came back as strong as ever and even better and I really hope this year is the same, however, he's 32 now... I do admire Ronaldo for his will and character and strength, and I can only hope Messi has an end to his career as Ronaldo. Unfortunately, Ronaldo seems to have a better physique than Messi. From my point of view, Messi's downfall may be his body... And after all these years watching him closely, you really can't imagine how I feel...Since he was 27, in each year I said to myself, ok he still has 5 years at the top, I can't afford to ditch any match of his. Gonna tell my kids about this guy... Sorry for the long post. I just needed to get it off my chest. Can't tell my future wife this, she may as well leave me.