Apologies if i read you're post in the wrong tone, its a drawback of this form of communication i guess...
Papa Smurf said:
maybe that Messi also does things with a football that ronaldinho cant even dream of... for example consistently scoring three goals per game or scoring 4 in champions. the fact that they play different styles doesnt make Dinho better.
Anyway, to your post.
I don't know how consistently he scores 3/4 a game, i presume its more than Ronaldinho did? I've also no idea on thier assist stats but i'd argue that would paly a factor too.
My main point, as i mentioned above, is the Ronaldinho was not only capable but excelled at almost every attacking trait going. On top of that his control over a football both on the ground and manipulating it in the air was of a level i've never seen before.
He looked so natural with the ball whilst passing opponents no matter how he was controlling the ball or where it was... in comparison, i think Messi is one dimensional in his approach, he'll beat you as often as ROnaldinho but he'll do it the same time every time.
For me, his ability to make the extrodinary look natural is what draws me to him, along with his ability to affect a game. IMO the arguement would be; "Is Messi's speed and agility so much better than everyone else that it surpasses the all round ability of Ronaldinho/Zidane/Maradonna et al"?
But that may not be how others see it.
-- Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:27 pm --
depps said:
Relax GStar my comment was made in jest in reference to the god thread in off topic where you are criticising religious people for ignoring the evidence before them.
I would actually agree with you that Messi isn't the greatest footballer ever but not for the reasons that you have given. The reasons Pele and Maradona are regarded as the greatest is because of their achievements in the game not just their skills. Its too hard to compare the skills of people form different eras in the game effectively. Your comments about Ronaldinho having better technique than Messi may be true, but the same would also be true of Rivaldho and even someone like Djalminha who never won much at all.
'Greatness' though is not simply about skills or ability it is about achievements and if Messi was to lead Argentina to World Cup glory this summer after helping Barcelona to become the first team in 20 years to win back to back European Cups he would in my opinion be up their alongside Maradona and Pele and considering the fact that he is still only 22 will most likely surpass them at some stage
Good points, and again apologies... i'm obviously not great at sensing tone on the internet ;)
Its interesting that people do consider the greats "great" because of thier achievement in almost one off tournaments... I'd argue that a poor way to judge a player and it should be done on a more widespread basis. But then that would also hinder my arguement for Ronaldinho as after 3/4 years being considered the best he dropped big style (considering).
The way i see it, if you put a guy with reactions as quick as Messi against him... his threat would be nullified. Its the same time and again, but people cant react to it quick enough. Its not that he is more skillfull with a football than anyone else but he can move the ball quicker than anyone else.
But thats just me.