I don't quite understand how someone can be anti-Messi, tbh. He's nowhere near infallible, but on TOP of his remarkable football ability, he seems a very honest, down to earth professional.
He's not really renowned for diving (I'm not saying he has never dived but you get the drift), he doesn't cheat, he doesn't feign injury, he's probably the most fouled or kicked footballer - but he just seems to get up and get on with it, he scores and sets up goals (though he is a bit more selfish these days, then say, 2 years ago) and generally, he mesmerizes and produces entertainment of the highest order.
Basically, he's the best footballer on the planet, bar none. I don't think someone could have picked a worse player to dislike, frankly.
There's a point in liking "he who must not be named in this thread" and appreciating what he did for our club but to take it to the insanely obssessed levels where it kinds of impacts your joy at watching Messi is frankly, ridiculous and a bit childish.
I enjoy watching them both, though I hate the fact that both of their clubs are currently stronger than ours. But to be blunt, Messi is undisputedly TBPITW.