The Final: Argentina v France

[Tin-Tin]

When you go back and watch pele highlights on teh YouTube’s they really aren’t that amazing tbh, clearly great for his time but football has come a long way since his day.

Seems ridiculous to try and claim he was a better player than Messi, the only evidence (video footage) available to us to make our own judgement suggests that whilst boss for his era the quality of football was far lower in general.

Maradona on the other hand still looks special when you watch clips of him 30 years later. Same will go for Messi.

I’d imagine Messi’s legacy will live on longer than both Pele and Maradonas because his entire career has been captured on video for generations to come, a luxury Pele and Maradona never had.

I dont remember Pele and was only a kid in Maradona's reign but Messi for me only due to the speed of the game these days.

However looking at these clips wgich appear to show the Cruyff turn was first done by him, he was obviously a special player with a lot of skill

 

[MikeH72]

Yes. I agree entirely. It's also generational too. The people who watch Messi and laud him as the best ever have only known Messi. My generation has seen Maradona and Messi, and that's why IMO there's no comparison to be made: one was a football master full of invention and raw power capable of making football not a team game but a one man exhibition on the highest of stages; the other is a pure dribbler with great balance, but who always needs top quality around him to make his game tick.

This is not so much to do with pots won as a stylistic assessment.

There literally is no comparison to be made.

This is absolute nonsense. That Argentina side is not filled with top quality players, there’s two or three including Messi and the rest is bang average. Messi is the one that makes them tick and has been for years and years, he’s dragged them along with him. Take Messi out of that side and it goes out limply in the quarter finals to the Netherlands, possibly even Australia in the last 16 tbh. Just take the L on this one because it’s a big one, and you’re looking very childish kicking and screaming about it on here

 

[Tin-Tin]

The robe is something they give to Kings, it was given to him to show him as the King of the World Cup/football nothing more than that, people are getting a bit carried away with it all imo.

I dont think its the worst thing, but he's spent his life trying for that trophy in the Argentina shirt and all the pictures of him lifting the trophy will be of it partially covered. The sentiment was clear but i dont agree with it.

 

[brieverton]

I'd lean to ranking Maradona above Messi having seen them both, but it's a comparison that doesn't really have to be made. Both of them can be marvelled at without reducing the others achievements.

There is likely a section of Argentinian society that would retain a greater fondness for Maradona, for a variety of reasons. Time will add to the feeling of nostalgia and sentiment, as will Maradona's failings and weaknesses. That's natural.

They both rank as global and ensuring football icons across the ages, but Maradona did not have the sheer number of games, the quality of team-mates and the level of competition that Messi has had in which to shine. That's my take on it.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Maradona was a criminal as well though. He even dodged taxes lol

 

[Simon Buttle]

I dont think its the worst thing, but he's spent his life trying for that trophy in the Argentina shirt and all the pictures of him lifting the trophy will be of it partially covered. The sentiment was clear but i dont agree with it.

Oh I agree, I wish they had just let the poor bloke celebrate with his teammates but bloody Infantino just wouldn't leave him alone.

 

[BainesontoastNEW]

Still can't process that Martinez save in extra-time. Colossal.

 

[Prevenger17]

He's a criminal. Are we supposed to forget that?

Tbf, it's almost become a cliche how bad South Americans are about their taxes, including your boy Diego. Shakira is a tax-dodger, doesn't mean that She-wolf isn't a top shelf banger

 

[emir]

I'm glad to see that the French didn't racially abuse any of their black players who missed their penalties yesterday. It would appear that the fan culture in France is more advanced.

 

[N.S.N.O.]

This is amazing

 

[Cmonefcsortitout!]

He's a criminal. Are we supposed to forget that?

His accountant was the one who made a mess of his taxes. He’s not alone in making that mistake. So to answer your question, yes, we can forget it! Duncan Ferguson went to prison, do you think of him as a criminal as well?! I don’t

 

[Neiler]

The robe is something they give to Kings, it was given to him to show him as the King of the World Cup/football nothing more than that, people are getting a bit carried away with it all imo.

Maybe mate, i think he's a spokesperson (or was) for Qatari Airlines, they also sponsored Barca. Hes also an ambassador for the Saudi World Cup bid. So id suggest all of that comes into his reasoning and would they have done it with someone who wasn't all of those things with close ties in the Arab world, was his motivation cultural diversity or financial? Does it really matter - I don't know.....

Just to be clear I'm not criticising him for it, if he wants to wear a pair of Micky Mouse ears up there its up to him, I'm not bothered one or the other by what he decided to wear.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Maybe mate, i think he's a spokesperson (or was) for Qatari Airlines, they also sponsored Barca. Hes also an ambassador for the Saudi World Cup bid. So id suggest all of that comes into his reasoning and would they have done it with someone who wasn't all of those things with close ties in the Arab world, was his motivation cultural diversity or financial? Does it really matter - I don't know.....

Just to be clear I'm not criticising him for it, if he wants to wear a pair of Micky Mouse ears up there its up to him, I'm not bothered one or the other by what he decided to wear.

Tbh I don't think he had much choice in the matter, Infantino just would not leave him alone.

 

[ilikecheese]

The robe is something they give to Kings, it was given to him to show him as the King of the World Cup/football nothing more than that, people are getting a bit carried away with it all imo.

Does Mbappe receive the same if France wins?

 

[EFC78]

When you go back and watch pele highlights on teh YouTube’s they really aren’t that amazing tbh, clearly great for his time but football has come a long way since his day.

Seems ridiculous to try and claim he was a better player than Messi, the only evidence (video footage) available to us to make our own judgement suggests that whilst boss for his era the quality of football was far lower in general.

Maradona on the other hand still looks special when you watch clips of him 30 years later. Same will go for Messi.

I’d imagine Messi’s legacy will live on longer than both Pele and Maradonas because his entire career has been captured on video for generations to come, a luxury Pele and Maradona never had.

Nonsense that, he scored every type of goal, was great with both feet, had pace, power, skill, great in the air.

What sets Messi apart from everyone, including Pele and Maradona is his vision. No one comes close.