Lionel Messi

Cesar Olmedo/Press Association Images

THERE’S NO DENYING Messi’s utter, utter brilliance — a quick glance at his trophy cabinet will back that up — but there will always be critics to say that, until he wins a World Cup, he can’t possibly be considered in the same class as Pele and Maradona.

The little magician turns 27 later this year and so, while Brazil 2014 won’t necessarily be his last chance to win the big one, it might well be his best.

Brian O’Driscoll

INPHO/Billy Stickland

Once Brian O’Driscoll gave the people what they wanted and agreed to “one more year,” the clock started ticking on a series of lasts.

We all know the story of what happened during BOD’s last Lions tour (sigh) and his last chance to beat the All-Blacks (double sigh), and if one of Ireland’s best ever sportsmen wants to end his career on a high, the Six Nations in particular will be crucial.

Rory McIlroy

Eugene Hoshiko/Press Association Images

Rory McIlroy will be the first to admit that 2013 was a nightmare. Leave aside that $250 million Nike deal and the year was a brutal run of poor form (and sore teeth) on the course, legal wrangles off it, and relentless speculation about his private life.

But McIlroy will also be the first to remind you that he is only 24 and still a young man. His clutch win at the Australian Open was a reminder of his undoubted quality but he can’t afford to let his iffy form continue into a second season.

LeBron James

Lynne Sladky/AP/Press Association Images

Lebron moved to South Beach to win championship rings and, if 2014 goes to plan, he’ll be collecting his third successive NBA title with the Miami Heat.

Then what? There’s already frenzied speculation that Lebron will go back on the free agency list at the end of this season. If that happens, and there’s even the slightest chance he’ll go back to Cleveland, prepare for a media circus like nothing you’ve seen before.

The Mayo footballers

INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Hang on, hasn’t every year since 1951 been a massive year for the Mayo footballers?

Well yes, but after losing two All-Ireland finals on the bounce, it won’t be long before fans and media start to spin a make-or-break narrative around James Horan’s side.

They’ve already shown that they have the quality to go close so the pressure will be on.

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Adam Davy/Press Association Images

Speaking of pressure, imagine what it’s like managing Brazil in a home World Cup. We don’t envy Big Phil Scolari.

Jonny Sexton

INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Joe Schmidt has already made it clear that he no longer has as much control as he would like over Jonny Sexton’s workload. As the season wears on, it will be up to the Racing Metro out-half to both stay fit and prove he is as indispensable as ever to the national side.

The Kilkenny hurlers

INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Did we see the end of an era in 2013? Or was Kilkenny’s barren year just a blip before they press the reset button and resume their usual dominance?

King Henry is coming back to try and win an unprecedented 10th All-Ireland title and the rest of his team-mates will be out to prove that Brian Cody’s Cats aren’t finished yet.

Bill O’Herlihy

INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

After 36 years and 18 major football tournaments, 2014 will be Bill O’Herlihy’s final year in the RTÉ presenter’s chair. The man who kept the peace between Dunphy and Brady more times than we care to remember hangs up his microphone after the World Cup.

We’ll leave it there so.