So how good is Messi?

Miguél · 22 Mar 2010 at 14:44

We'll see how he does at the world cup. To be one of the greatest you need to be consistent at international level too, especially at a world cup, like Maradona. I'm not saying he needs to win the world cup for Argentina but he needs to put in some world class performances.

Yas786 · 22 Mar 2010 at 14:48

Tummy said:
Injuries weren't the only problem Ronaldo had

LOL yeh he was a fat bugger too

But unlike Ronaldo et al he has the right attitude towards the game...doesnt make a meal of falling down and then raging at the ref if the decision doesnt go his way.

One More Solo · 22 Mar 2010 at 14:58

Messi doesn't look the same player in the games I've seen for Argentina, maybe shows how much the team contributes to individual performances.

Tummy · 22 Mar 2010 at 14:59

One More Solo said:
Messi doesn't look the same player in the games I've seen for Argentina, maybe shows how much the team contributes to individual performances.

Weight of expectation?

One thing having being a star player for a club, but when it's your own country?

One More Solo · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:04

Tummy said:
Weight of expectation?

One thing having being a star player for a club, but when it's your own country?

"Mes que un club"

Whether you believe it or not is another matter, but that's what the members of Barcelona think.

[ASSE]Hinchy · 22 Mar 2010 at 16:52

Spawn said:
But unlike Ronaldo et al he has the right attitude towards the game...doesnt make a meal of falling down and then raging at the ref if the decision doesnt go his way.

Brazilian Ronaldo got kicked to pieces at times and never really went on at the referee. Unless you are comparing him to current players, in which case I will accept that Cristiano Ronaldo occasionally goes down easily

jakeke · 22 Mar 2010 at 17:18

I watched almost all of Argentina's qualifying campaign and Messi was great, but he can't play vs. 11 on his own which is what he was practically doing throughout. The movement of the Argentina players around him was practically non-existant. There were times where they were literally watching him and not helping him. The team is set up horribly and I don't feel that Maradona has the required intelligence to sort it out, though I really want them to as they have a really good squad

elmuzzy66. · 22 Mar 2010 at 18:17

jakeke said:
I watched almost all of Argentina's qualifying campaign and Messi was great, but he can't play vs. 11 on his own which is what he was practically doing throughout. The movement of the Argentina players around him was practically non-existant. There were times where they were literally watching him and not helping him. The team is set up horribly and I don't feel that Maradona has the required intelligence to sort it out, though I really want them to as they have a really good squad

Agree with you that a different manager would do wonders with the arge team. Don't realy know what maradona can bring to the team. Would love to be a fly in the wall of that dressing room to what technical knowledge he dishes out.

FeFiDoh · 22 Mar 2010 at 19:17

I think its unfair to compare him to the likes of Pele and Maradona, and how long will he keep it going? Who knows...

This is the second season the trot he has been out of this world, the issue with football of today is the amount of football these guys have to play. Compare it to what the old greats did its not really comparabile is it? I think I heard other day that Fulham could rack up like a 60 game season?

nikebee · 22 Mar 2010 at 20:28

Tummy said:
... and won titles and World Cups.

I always hate it when people bring things like that into a who's the best in the world argument.

It's like if you don't win a world cup, you cannot be considered great these days.

You don't need to have won a world cup to be the best in the world or history.

It's not your fault if your country is crap and you are leagues above the rest in terms of quality.

Semi rant over

Stewy · 22 Mar 2010 at 20:55

To stir things up, how hard is it to play with Xavi, Iniesta, Ibra, Henry against poor Spanish defences? Sure he's a great player, but those things certainly help. For Argentina he's not surrounded by ridiculous talent that's played together for years, and doesn't perform as well...

/flame-proof suit

Mad old tory · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:00

Turn that round though Stewart, he constantly stands out as the star man in such an incredible team. That must make him pretty special, no?

jakeke · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:03

Also most of the goals he scores are induvidual efforts to an extent (takes 2 or 3 men on then shoots)

Stewy · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:03

But (imo) he only stands out because he is the only one who dribbles round people, everyone else in the team just passes it. Iniesta and Xavi are equally as good at what they do instead.

I'd also agree with someone earlier that Henry was better in his best days for Arsenal.

A2Z · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:04

StewartMG said:
To stir things up, how hard is it to play with Xavi, Iniesta, Ibra, Henry against poor Spanish defences? Sure he's a great player, but those things certainly help. For Argentina he's not surrounded by ridiculous talent that's played together for years, and doesn't perform as well...

/flame-proof suit

Indeed, and Stuttgart were absolutely poo in Champ League, i think Portsmouth would have beat them

Let's see how he does Vs Arsenal and RM first....

Rids · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:07

Messi is the best player in the world at the moment, with daylight between him and anybody else. The comment that Henry in his prime was better earlier on the in the thread made me chuckle, I'm an absolute rabid gooner, but even a prime Henry didnt come close to the form that Messi is in at the moment, but its far too soon to judge him on whether he is the greatest player in the history of football - there is a lot more to that acolade than playing well for 3 or 4 years. I think he has the potential to be as good as the likes of Pele, Eusabio, Maradona... but lets give it time. I only hope he has a long injury free career, as I truly enjoy watching him play.

I'm dreading his visit to the emirates though

dannyjo22 · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:08

Linoge said:
He doesn't need to win a World Cup though.

I agree, the world cup is a lower standard of football than the european championship.

It will be fairer to judge him at the end of his career, but for me the brazilian ronaldo is the best player I've ever seen. He stats when he was fit are awesome and would have been the best of all time had he not had such hideous injuries.

Tummy · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:14

nikebee said:
It's like if you don't win a world cup, you cannot be considered great these days.

You don't need to have won a world cup to be the best in the world or history.

It's not your fault if your country is crap and you are leagues above the rest in terms of quality.

What do you need to win to be considered the best?

Because apparently winning the toughest trophy in World Football isn't enough?

The World Cup only comes around once every 4 years, while I agree that the European Champions league is a high standard, and there are some good players, it's not as hard to win compared to the World Cup.

Hxc · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:16

His second goal against Zaragoza was something very special. He is a very, very special player and I look very much foward to the Barca/Arsenal game. The way he changes direction and moves on the ball is just something I don't see with anyone else, how he can go from standing still to a sprint straight away is just amazing.

Seeing players like Iniesta, Henry, Xavi, Ibra and him together is something amazing. I'm still not sure if the Eto'o swap deal was the best thing ever but dear lord they look unstoppable at the mo.

red11 · 22 Mar 2010 at 21:21

Watching him run with the ball at his feet, he's incredibly similar to George Best as if the ball is stuck to his foot.