Is Messi Now Officially the Greatest Footballer in History?

[He’stheleftbackremember]

Maradona is the only player who I’ve been truly afraid of when watching a game of football. In 1986 I was terrified of him before the game. Messi is fantastic and a dedicated professional but for pure “talent” at their very peak I would take Maradona over Messi. Messi is second best player ever. If I was going to buy one of them though it would Messi because of the other shit that went with Maradona.

 

[BlueHammer85]

82% honest votes

17% being contrary for the sake of it

 

[The Black Shed]

Let's not forget all the other truly outstanding and legendary footballers who play(ed) in different positions. By that argument it's a very tough call to ask who's the best ever? There's been remarkable goalies, defenders, wingers and generals who could all justifiably have arguments for being the best.

But in terms of the eye candy that a game changing, attacking midfielder can be, then in my view it's Maradona.

 

[SCEtoAUX]

It's an interesting accolade, and very much highlighted by the post above. All of those in contention are either attackers, or attacking midfielders. Defenders and goalkeepers just don't stir the senses in the same way.

As to the question, my opinion is very much split, and like many (most?) it's a choice between Messi and Maradona. Best player of all time? Messi edges it for me. Which player at his peak would I have chosen to play for City? Maradona, absolutely no question.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

Personally, I don't think he is "THE" greatest but is certainly up there with the absolute best.

The reason I don't say he's the absolute best is fairly simple - he's never really performed in the World Cup apart from this one. He's also only been world class at one club, Barcelona, who I regard as the greatest club side of all time whilst he was there. He was the best player in the best club side.

I saw Maradona at his peak and he pretty much single-handedly dragged 'average' sides to greatness. Argentina weren't the best national side in 1986, but Maradona was the best player on the planet. That's how good he was. That game v England almost defines he to us English and we saw both sides to him. However, he burned out and didn't have the longevity of Messi.

We will never be able to compare between Pele, Maradona and those from other eras. However, we can compare Messi to someone in his era. I know it's not fashionable to say this, but Messi and Ronaldo are the two greats from the last 20 years, easily. Both were on a different level to anyone else. Ronaldo at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona were players who turned any game in their favour, it's as simple as that.

However, Ronaldo has proven himself in England, Spain and Italy. He proved he could do it in other leagues and although Messi is past his best, he's not really lit up a poor French league has he? As I said, his performances in previous World Cups have been average and nowhere near the level he can play. This isn't to denigrate him, but the question is: has he done it outside Barclona?

I consider myself lucky to have seen Messi and Ronaldo play live and seen Maradona on TV. All 3 were capable of utter genius. However, I've just heard too many people who saw Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo play say that Pele was the greatest footballer of all time.

 

[M16 citeh]

He is the greatest player yes. But maradonna represented so much more than football to Argentines and everyone around the world in a way I'm not sure Messi does. Is the debate all about footy? Not imo

 

[HelloCity]

 

[Stephen230]

I'm a bit to young to have witnessed Pele, what I have seen on TV he was outstanding, but he didn't really play in the top leagues In his career

What makes you think the Brazilian league wasn’t one of the top leagues in the world during his time there? Players exclusively playing in it were good enough to win three World Cups out of four during his time.

 

[Bill]

has been for quite some time .

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

The answer is no , but he is certainly above Fakeronaldo , i was lucky enough to see Pele in the flesh at Goodison Park in '66 World Cup , and i havent seen a better player , poetry in motion didnt do him justice. The Portuguese team kicked him from pillar to post and he didnt react , the game was far more physical in 1966 and he stood up to it , but eventually being carried off , no modern day footballer would put up with that treatment and come back for more , Pele did.