Football is a team sport, but some of the most irresistible narratives in the game are built around individuals.
It is easier to digest moments of heroism rather than an entire season, and it is more romantic to believe that individuals are capable of the greatest sporting feats.
The infectious fairy tale of the sporting superhero is most common at international level, where nations, unable to use the transfer window to create a balanced squad, are most likely to build their hopes around one man.
In England, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane know the pressure of an expectant nation, while Cristiano Ronaldo has shown phenomenal resolve to handle his disproportionate talent in respect to the rest of the Portuguese national team.
Lionel Messi and Neymar highlight South American football's idolisation problem
Lionel Messi and Neymar highlight South American fans' big problem