Lionel Messi

cesc's_mullet

Could we actually be witnessing the greatest player ever?

Seriously, could he one day be regarded as an all time great?

My tip - YES.

UnitedBoy

ye

Merman

He should win the World Cup with Argentina to be regarded as THE best ever. You can point out that Best and De Stefano never won it either, but Messi is playing for a much stronger national team. Even if he wins the world cup, Maradona will still be regarded as the best ever by most. I personally don't think any single player can claim to be the best ever. I'd rather pick an all time 22 and Messi will be definitely there by the time he retires if he doesn't fuck up.

kouroux

The greatest player is impossible to tell as there are so many things to analyse so I would say no .
One of the best if he never screws up his career like R9 did ,surely

Pogue Mahone

Yes.

Barring injury or losing the plot, off the pitch.

cesc's_mullet

Team success doesn't really translate that well if we're looking at an individual. Yes, it will obviously be brilliant for his CV, but I honestly wouldn't think any different of Messi if he was to never (or to) win the World Cup.

I'd be more interested in how he performed at the WC, rather than how Argentina fared.

Brwned

I doubt it.

He could be but I don't think he will.

Merman

It matters when you're being compared to Maradona who played for the same national team albeit weaker and won the World Cup on his own. It might be the difference between one of the best ever and the best ever.

Feed Me

Our very own Ronaldo is a winger-cum-forward who scored 42 goals in a season. Who has won consecutive league titles and a European Cup and is continually getting to the latter stages of major tournaments whilst making a big impact in those.

Leo who?

Merman

Ronaldo is regarded by a wide forward by most, just like Ronaldinho was.

kouroux

You dont wanna start this ,they're not in the same category

Feed Me

Fine.

Why not?

They're both in the category of player who are considered as best in the world. I'd say comparison between the two is totally valid.

Brwned

I think that Messi will be regarded as the better player by the time they both finish their careers.

Ronaldo's definitely been the better player in recent years.

FranklyVulgar

I've said it for years.

Your old mate Henry seems to agree.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/en...to-messi-henry

VP

That depends if he stays injury free.

Right now Ronaldo has done more than Messi to warrant being the best player in the world.

Feed Me

So, we agree Ronaldo has been the better player in recent years. On what basis will Messi all of a sudden start to overtake Ronnie?

Messi needs to stay fit for a whole season first.

Granted, Messi has the edge, in terms of natural ability. Only just mind. But Ronaldo has all the other elements that go into making a truly brilliant player. Pace, power and a great mentality.

kouroux

I agree with this, Messi's potential is a lot more frightening than Ronaldo that's the thing.

Feed Me

Don't speak sense. Let the muppets have their wank-fest.

Brwned

Exactly, lets leave the Ronaldo comparisons at that.

Ronaldo's has been better in recent years and that's as far as it goes. No need for another Messi-Ronaldo debate.

Brwned

A calculated guess, clearly.

Read the countless other Messi-Ronaldo threads for views from both sides, or start a debate with Frank.

Feed Me

Why is that then?

Ronaldo is still improving as well is he not?

Fact is, the notion of potential is totally intangible. How do we know how much potential Messi has in comparison to Ronaldo? Any prediction on potential is mere conjecture.

FranklyVulgar

Right now Messi is on a different level to Ronaldo. Ronaldo had a great run last season with his goals but didn't cover himself in glory at the end of the season. Ineffective and almost cost united the champions league with his penalty misses and abject performances in the latter stages. Failed to turn up for Portugal in the euros whilst Messi got back to fitness and was in good form towards the end of the season, picked up a gold medal and player of the tournament at the olympics and has so far this season been the best in the world.

kouroux

Comparing them at the same age is a good way to see potential ,it doesn't mean (fortunately so) that things will happen for sure but it's just an indication of what could happen.

Merman

Can you not praise Messi without belittling Ronaldo's contribution?

Feed Me

You are not using the Olympics to bolster your argument? You actually are, aren't you?

Anyone can miss a penalty bud, get over it.

You still aren't really making a compelling case for this Messi being on a different level idea.

I really love the fact that people try to persuade themselves that in spite of scoring 42 goals in a season, that a player is still not performing to that high a level. Goals is the name of the game. Ronaldo scored a shed load. Messi, for all his pretty turns and sleight of foot in the semi finals did not produce one moment of note that produced a goal for Barca.

Try again.

VP

Obsessed

cesc's_mullet

Not really, we're sort of on the same wave length there though. I mean what if Messi has a blinder in each game, but his back four leak 4 goals per and they got bundled out, or the rest of their side choked something horrid?

Do you see where I'm coming from there?

Eto'odinho

Greatest?? Thats blasphemous. Football didn't start in 2008. But yes, the lad is a VERY VERY special talent.




You know Arsenal fans don't want to acknowledge the obvious that our man really deserves some of the praise he is getting. Some have even claimed that he is not as good as Robert Pires was in his pomp. I know that there will be a few cries when the cnut picks up the ballon d'or something that Henry never did and shall NEVER do.

Eto'odinho

Thats a load of cock

Sensible

kouroux

I hope he wins it ,he really deserves it.

cesc's_mullet

I'm trying to ignore your idiocy Eto', so I'll just say I've said (many times) that Ronaldo was the best player in the World over the last few years.

And when people on here were questioning him (years ago) I said I could see him developing into the very best, and he did. I'm not underpinning him in any way.

But the Messi we're seeing now is more. Doesn't mean Ronaldo has suddenly become any less of-a player, but that Messi is fast becoming a modern day great, and (hence the question) developing into an all time great.

GusHiddink

RONALDO > MESSI


HOPE THIS HELPS

Brwned

It doesn't Gus, it never does when you say it.

Eto'odinho

Its called form mate, Messi has been in form from the start of the season and truth be told at times he has been magical to watch. But it is blasphemous to claim that he is the greatest ever. I used to watch Barca a lot before last season and I recall a certain Ronaldinho being close to unplayable in 2004-2006

cesc's_mullet

Thanks for being a fanboii and not even remotely answering my question.

Please re-insert your thumb up your anus.

Kthnxbai

GusHiddink

You total mug. Ronaldo was carrying an injury at the euro's hence the op.

You total mug. Ronaldo missed pre season so isnt just gonna pick up where he left off.

You total mug, ronaldo is far and away a more complete and better player than messi. If you want to have a you tube clips competition then messi may edge it but in terms of contribution to a side at their best ronaldo wins hands down.

what more does the guy have to do? its ridiculous.

p.s. MUG

GusHiddink

why not start a similar thread on ronnie while you are at it.

Merman

FFS, this is turning into another Messi Vs Ronaldo thread.

cesc's_mullet

Nah you've got it wrong, I'm asking are we witnessing the greatest player ever, as in the player that will is to-become the greatest.

GusHiddink

Get a life you no mark