Inside the cult of Lionel Messi

The cult of Lionel Messi frames a profile of Sam Wallace, a long-time football journalist who has followed the sport’s inner workings as well as on-pitch action. Wallace has served as chief football writer since 2015, covering football politics, finance, transfers and sackings, alongside match reporting. He previously held the same role at The Independent for 11 years. The article positions his experience and awards as context for explaining Messi’s broader cultural and sporting impact. While the excerpt focuses on Wallace’s credentials, it signals that the piece will connect his reporting background to how Messi became a defining figure for fans and media.