Lionel Messi

[tolmie's hairdoo]

So wrong mate.

Maradona was kicked from pillar to post.

The protection he would have received in todays game, he would have scored goals like the one he did against England from halfway line, every fortnight.

Messi could not thrive in England today, never mind the roughhouse treatment across the game 25 years ago.

Maradona was quicker, stronger, more skilful in each department.

Aye,that’s a good point re the physical nature of the game in the 80s compared to the ‘no-contact’ culture of 90s onwards.

Let’s not forget that Maradona played against far tougher defences in Serie A than Messi faces in La Liga. The toughest opponents Messi faces are the likes of Marcelo, Ramos, Capdevilla, Puyol and Carvahlo. While Maradona used to terrorise Tassoti, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini etc.. Would Messi dance around Baresi et al? Not a chance.

Not only was Maradona technically brilliant, but he was such an intelligent footballer. He could simply carry an attack against a world-class defence. He would dictate the tempo, direction of attack and pace of the game. He’s a more skilful version of Messi with the intelligence of Xavi.

….and that’s why I clapped him at Craven Cottage. Yes, he cheated occasionally, but he is probably the most talented footballer any of us will ever see.

He was also physically kicked to death out of Barcelona and had his leg broken.

The goals he scored against both England and Belgium in 86 are the greatest ever scored at the highest level.

I will caveat that with Pele's chest and volley at the age of 18 against Sweden in the 1958 final.

 

[gooney]

This he lives off those two, and Barca's style of play.

Thats why Ronaldo is the best in the world.

Messi is good at barca, send him anywhere else and he wont be anywhere neer that good. Ronaldo has proven himself at more than 1 club and for portugal.
Ronaldo > Messi

not at all, Messi is far superior to get others involved when teams let 2 man mark him. Yesterday he assisted two beautiful assists. Technically he is superior, he was beating 2-3 Real players every time, while Ronaldo was struggling to get past his men yesterday. Main difference is that Messi is smarter and less selfish, he knows if you focus too much on him he will drop deep and let other do the damage. Ronaldo always seem to only play for himself and you see that when you watch Real that he always take shots when others are in better position. Before this game Ronaldo took twice as many shots as Messi this season, yet messi has more goals and assists

 

[Manc in London]

On what basis do you make that claim?

As I said in answer to Tolmie's post I meant that one man couldn't win a team a title ala Diego at Napoli.

imo of course.

Fair enough.

But that’s probably because there is no single player in Italy is antywhere near as talented as Maradona.

You could argue that a far inferior player, Totti, carried Roma for several years. Okay, they never had great success but if you swapped Maradon in his pomp with Totti, could you honestly imagine Roma not winning a title?

Maybe my view is impaired by a misty eyed recollection of the past…

 

[Rammy Blue]

As I said in answer to Tolmie's post I meant that one man couldn't win a team a title ala Diego at Napoli.

imo of course.

Fair enough.

But that’s probably because there is no single player in Italy is antywhere near as talented as Maradona.

You could argue that a far inferior player, Totti, carried Roma for several years. Okay, they never had great success but if you swapped Maradon in his pomp with Totti, could you honestly imagine Roma not winning a title?

Maybe my view is impaired by a misty eyed recollection of the past…

I agree on the misty-eyed part, I am old enough to remember vividly Diego in his pomp, an awesome talent.

I just really believe that Messi is his equal.

 

[Unknown_Genius]

Aye,that’s a good point re the physical nature of the game in the 80s compared to the ‘no-contact’ culture of 90s onwards.

Let’s not forget that Maradona played against far tougher defences in Serie A than Messi faces in La Liga. The toughest opponents Messi faces are the likes of Marcelo, Ramos, Capdevilla, Puyol and Carvahlo. While Maradona used to terrorise Tassoti, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini etc.. Would Messi dance around Baresi et al? Not a chance.

Not only was Maradona technically brilliant, but he was such an intelligent footballer. He could simply carry an attack against a world-class defence. He would dictate the tempo, direction of attack and pace of the game. He’s a more skilful version of Messi with the intelligence of Xavi.

….and that’s why I clapped him at Craven Cottage. Yes, he cheated occasionally, but he is probably the most talented footballer any of us will ever see.

He was also physically kicked to death out of Barcelona and had his leg broken.

The goals he scored against both England and Belgium in 86 are the greatest ever scored at the highest level.

I will caveat that with Pele's chest and volley at the age of 18 against Sweden in the 1958 final.

Wasn't Pele 17 when he won the 1958 WC?

From what I've read and watched about Pele, the guy was pretty much the perfect footballer, with 2 touches he could do things that would take some of the best today 5 touches, defenders could not get close to him, as he was simply too intelligent. One moment you think you have him, the next he's left you for dead, you think he's going left, then he's going right. Too misleading.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Fair enough.

But that’s probably because there is no single player in Italy is antywhere near as talented as Maradona.

You could argue that a far inferior player, Totti, carried Roma for several years. Okay, they never had great success but if you swapped Maradon in his pomp with Totti, could you honestly imagine Roma not winning a title?

Maybe my view is impaired by a misty eyed recollection of the past…

I agree on the misty-eyed part, I am old enough to remember vividly Diego in his pomp, an awesome talent.

I just really believe that Messi is his equal.

I remember as a six-year-old hearing about this young player Maradona, he was going to light up the World Cup in 1982.

I watched the Brazil v Argentina game and was so disappointed.

I fell in love with the Brazil team and Zico that tournament.

But four years later, Maradona arrived, and then I watched something I have never seen from a player in my lifetime, and will never see again, I'm sure.

Literally, winning a World Cup, single-handedly!!

 

[stumpy_mcfc]

best player in the world

this. can he get any better? if he wins a world cup he will never be forgotten

This is what I said last night - he is the best in the world by a long way but without carrying his country to the ultimate goal will he be regarded better then Zizuo, Pele or Maradona.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT

Hes no Gareth Bale is he?

 

[stumpy_mcfc]

Best player of all time?

dont know yer age greenie,but Pele for me,
im an old fuker

Pele for me and while I am at it the 1970 Brazil team the best of all time - heard the 1958 was not bad either but I am not that old :-)<br /><br />-- Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:25 pm --<br /><br />

best player in the world and he's only 23

This the scary thing 23 years old and no off the pitch shit around him - he can only get better.

 

[jimmy blue shoes]

Argentina don't have Iniesta and Xavi! Don't underestimate how important these two are in making Messi look so good! When Iniesta doesn't play for Barca or Spain they aren't as good, even when Messi doesn't play for Barca they are just as good!

This he lives off those two, and Barca's style of play.

Messi didn,t have the best World Cup because Argentina don,t have Dani Alves flying down the right side.

He makes all the differance as fullbacks don't know who to track. They are forced to go wide with Alves leaving all the space Messi needs to cut inside.

Barca are taylor made to fit Messi.