Is Messi the greatest player ever?

[TX Bill]

I agree that in this era of media and social media, Messi takes more flack than I've ever seen a player take. The guy just can't win.

He's one of the best that we'll ever see but he's just not good enough for some people.

Those some people are wrong.

On the flip side, I think it was more than apparent that he wasn't deserving of the golden ball award and he knew it too but what could he do about it? Say "no thanks?"

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I agree that in this era of media and social media, Messi takes more flack than I've ever seen a player take. The guy just can't win.

He's one of the best that we'll ever see but he's just not good enough for some people.

Those some people are wrong.

On the flip side, I think it was more than apparent that he wasn't deserving of the golden ball award and he knew it too but what could he do about it? Say "no thanks?"

This all day.

 

[DrEFC]

Didn't his friend also die during the world cup?

 

[efcarentwe]

Three World Cups, more than 1,000 pro goals scored. Pele all day for me.

a lot of pele's 1000 goals were scored in globe trotting 'glamour' friendlies. also he never left brazil to play in Europe. I know Brazilian football was a better standard then than now but that should go against him.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

a lot of pele's 1000 goals were scored in globe trotting 'glamour' friendlies. also he never left brazil to play in Europe. I know Brazilian football was a better standard then than now but that should go against him.

Indeed. It's funny that di Stefano is never mentioned in these lists, yet he was instrumental in Real dominating as they did. Pele didn't even have the Copa Libertadores to compete in so I'm not sure how supportive his domestic record is as a gauge of his greatness.

Similar with Maradona really. His domestic record is good, but no better than someone like Platini. I mean Platini averaged a goal every other game in Europe, as well as Serie A. Maradona by contrast only got 5 in 25 games in European competition. Platini also has a better goals/game record than Maradona internationally.

 

[Blue 1]

Indeed. It's funny that di Stefano is never mentioned in these lists, yet he was instrumental in Real dominating as they did. Pele didn't even have the Copa Libertadores to compete in so I'm not sure how supportive his domestic record is as a gauge of his greatness.

Similar with Maradona really. His domestic record is good, but no better than someone like Platini. I mean Platini averaged a goal every other game in Europe, as well as Serie A. Maradona by contrast only got 5 in 25 games in European competition. Platini also has a better goals/game record than Maradona internationally.

He won two titles and a UEFA cup with Napoli. That's incredible, mate.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

He won two titles and a UEFA cup with Napoli. That's incredible, mate.

And Platini won two leagues and a European Cup. I mean would Hagi be regarded as an all-time great because he inspired Steau Bucharest to the final of the European Cup?

As it is, the only goals Maradona scored when Napoli won the UEFA Cup were penalties. It was Careca's 6 goals that got them the win really.

 

[evilwebby]

Neither Pele or Maradonna won the european cup, Id argue that is much tougher to win than the world cup, Especially these days.

That is however my opinion though baby

Really? There's perhaps 6 teams in the world who are realistically capable of winning the CL, and they all get a shot once a season. Even the greatest players only get 2 or 3 bites at the cherry to win the WC.

 

[davek]

He won two titles and a UEFA cup with Napoli. That's incredible, mate.

Exactly. It's like taking Middlesbrough to two PL titles and a Europa League triumph (in fact the UEFA back then was possibly a better standard than the EC at the time).

On Messi: he's been in three WCs now (two at his peak) and demonstrated that he cant rise to the occasion of imprinting himself on the game's greatest competition. To throw in stuff about Di Stefano and Best etc who never played a WC is irrelevant. Messi has had those chances whereas others didn't get any chance at all and, therefore, simply cant be graded as a world best player. Messi has underlined that his talent comes to the fore only when a team is built around him, like at Barcelona. He's too inflexible/lacks the authority mentally to take control of others in a national team setting. He flinches in the face of that challenge. The last two games of Argentina's WC campaign Messi virtually went missing. Possibly two of the biggest games of his career and he was practically an onlooker to them. That's why he should never be taken seriously as someone who can be placed in the company of others like Pele, Maradona, Zidane.

 

[Fuleco]

Didn't his friend also die during the world cup?

Yes Jorge Lopez, on the day of the semi-final against Holland in a car crash.

 

[Blue 1]

And Platini won two leagues and a European Cup. I mean would Hagi be regarded as an all-time great because he inspired Steau Bucharest to the final of the European Cup?

As it is, the only goals Maradona scored when Napoli won the UEFA Cup were penalties. It was Careca's 6 goals that got them the win really.

Come on, Bruce. Winning two leagues and a European trophy with Napoli is clearly a greater achievement than winning them with Juventus.

Just because Careca scored the majority of the goals that won them the UEFA doesn't undermine Maradona's contribution.

Hagi is an all time great IMO, but obviously not on the level of those who could stake a claim to being the G.O.A.T. which for me is Maradona by any measure. Except his height, obviously.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Come on, Bruce. Winning two leagues and a European trophy with Napoli is clearly a greater achievement than winning them with Juventus.

Just because Careca scored the majority of the goals that won them the UEFA doesn't undermine Maradona's contribution.

Hagi is an all time great IMO, but obviously not on the level of those who could stake a claim to being the G.O.A.T. which for me is Maradona by any measure. Except his height, obviously.

Why though? I mean imagine us going out and spending £90m on a player (that being a world record sum). It wouldn't be a massive shock for me if we were then challenging for honours as a result. This was especially so in the 80s when it was much more common for smaller teams to get deep into competitions, especially with it's knockout format. I mean in that decade, you had clubs from 9 different countries represented in the final. The last 10 years have seen 4 countries represented. When talent is more spread out, adding the worlds most expensive player to your squad alongside a sprinkling of Italian and Brazilian internationals is going to give you a chance.

 

[canuckblue]

a lot of pele's 1000 goals were scored in globe trotting 'glamour' friendlies. also he never left brazil to play in Europe. I know Brazilian football was a better standard then than now but that should go against him.

It's all about opinions. I still maintain Pele's body of work is better than Messi's and certainly better than Maradona's.

 

[Jacko93]

No

 

[Jacko93]

It's all about opinions. I still maintain Pele's body of work is better than Messi's and certainly better than Maradona's.

I think Garrincha was better than all 3 of them.