Lionel Messi's hat-trick vs. Betis wasn't his best, but a timely reminder of how brilliant he is

Shaka Hislop chooses not to get drawn into comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi following the Argentine's 33rd La Liga hat trick. It's a remarkable thing when a sportsperson produces a moment of exceptional all-time achievement but the reaction to that excelsior moment becomes almost as powerful as the event itself. I'd argue that Lionel Messi fused those wonderful, human themes together on Sunday night: immense action followed by extraordinary reaction. In my lifetime there have been many examples. Not identical, mind you, but moments that live on for reasons other than the athletic achievement no matter how important it...