Is Messi Now Officially the Greatest Footballer in History?

[Houseman]

Modern day player….definitely
Can’t compare with the players from yesteryears…..Pele, Cruyff, Maradona & the like

Just guessing, If the modern day player means that he could not cut it in the past? it's simply not true, the lad, like most Geniuses from any period would cut it on any period, timing of what would have happened to him? it's an entire other subject.

Messi has a very old time approach to the game, in fact at times too much, for isntance he should have obtained more penalties in his carreer if he had let himself go down like many in the past did when dealing with the constant butchery, yet it's one of his best traits to fall and go on, to preffer keeping the play alive than going for the foul, specially when younger, now he needs air, more pause.

Also he had his good share of butchery against him and mostly entire systems created just to deny him, it's imposible to know what could have happen to any player out of their period, yet there are traits in Messi that do not create any doubt that he would still be fearless, even a lightweight and like Aimar was.

 

[heslops barnet]

Just guessing, yet If the modern day player means that he could not cut it in the past? it's simply not true, the lad, like most Geniuses from any period would cut it on any period, timing of what would have happened to him? it's an entire other subject.

Messi has a very old time approach to the game, in fact at times too much, for isntance he should have obtained more penalties in his carreer if he had let himself go down like many in the past did when dealing with the constant butchery, yet it's one of his best traits to fall and go on, to preffer keeping the play alive than going for the foul, specially when younger, now he needs air, more pause.

Also he had his good share of butchery against him and mostly entire systems created just to deny him, it's imposible to know what could have happen to any player out of their period, yet there are traits in Messi that do not create any doubt that he would still be fearless, even a lightweight and like Aimar was.

Meant that it’s difficult to compare with past players as fitness, pitches, balls etc have all changed

 

[johnnytapia]

My bad, I've misread it with the usual "weak era narrative" used for any period when we like better a player from another period.

To rant a bit, we also have to understand that most of the characteristics from any period can be read both ways (as two sides of a coin), as a positive and as a negative and both be true at the same time.

That's why that leaving aside that humans being from an athletic point of view tend to improve, the main thing from any period it's that it's just different, more than exponentially better or worse (same happens with Leagues on any period, even if some of them are noticeable more powerful and better). Specially since the 40's and forward.

From a very personal view, I rate fellas like Messi, Pele, Cryuff, Di Stefano, Puskas etc...genius alike, just a personal tag, more than just great ones. And a tad below fellas I consider phenom alike and in some cases the line gets blur.

I on contrair rate a lot Zizou, yet I still like and rate Platini better.

Cruyff: the only person who could literally and metaphorically “turn in his grave “.

 

[johnnytapia]

My bad, I've misread it with the usual "weak era narrative" used for any period when we like better a player from another period.

To rant a bit, we also have to understand that most of the characteristics from any period can be read both ways (as two sides of a coin), as a positive and as a negative and both be true at the same time.

That's why that leaving aside that humans being from an athletic point of view tend to improve, the main thing from any period it's that it's just different, more than exponentially better or worse (same happens with Leagues on any period, even if some of them are noticeable more powerful and better). Specially since the 40's and forward.

From a very personal view, I rate fellas like Messi, Pele, Cryuff, Di Stefano, Puskas etc...genius alike, just a personal tag, more than just great ones. And a tad below fellas I consider phenom alike and in some cases the line gets blur.

I on contrair rate a lot Zizou, yet I still like and rate Platini better.

Platini was an absolute joy to watch. He glided across the field.
One of my all-time favourite games / commentaries is the goal he scored against Portugal in the European championship semi v Portugal. Platini and Motson in absolute beautiful poetry.

 

[johnnytapia]

Messi & Maradona, I really can’t split them … on a different level to anyone else.

Messi is absolutely one of the greatest.
Maradona is absolutely the greatest.

 

[johnnytapia]

I watched the 1986 World Cup and he did. The only game he was quiet in was the final, but in the quarters against England and semi against Belgium he was on another level and the pitches were terrible.

Talent talks, genius whispers

 

[Houseman]

Meant that it’s difficult to compare with past players as fitness, pitches, balls etc have all changed

Yes, that's the reason why it shouldn't be just one GOAT, on contrair to what actually the term implies... yet a number of those from every period and then we can preffer one above the rest or even not consider some of them in such cathegory