FOOTBALLERS are like songwriters. Most plod along earnestly, never quite setting the world on fire, but delivering reliable results year after year. Then along comes a player like Neymar, whose alchemy mere mortals can only dream of.

If Neil Finn was New Zealand’s centre forward, the kiwis, not Mexico, would be facing Holland next week. He is the Louis Suárez of the music world; scoring hits is second nature, even his Premier League sibling Tim found the house too crowded, exasperated by the younger brother’s prodigious talent. Finn is a one-man Lennon and McCartney and although his finest work to date has been as a band member, Dizzy Heights shows that, like Messi, he is a solo match winner.

His mastery of song craft is as strong as ever on this album, with perfect pop songs, that are neither a second too short nor too long. Like Arjen Robben, Finn is sprinting his way vigorously through maturity. He has delivered the musical goal of the month. Give the man a medal.