He was already being asked by journalists back then whether he was the next Pelé to which he replied "I dont want to be Pelé or the next Pelé I just want to be Diego".
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Messi v Ronaldo | Contains double your daily salt allowance
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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When Cristiano joined Juventus, his allround game initially turned out better than many expected. He was less focused on the penalty area than at Madrid and he even showed glimpses of his former dribbling abilities. His link up play was very stable - he rarely did anything outrageous but maintained possession well. His off the ball movement was as exceptional as expected - more often than any other striker he got into dangerous positions. So while he was still a shadow of the player that left United and played for Madrid until around 2014/15, he was nonetheless one of the biggest goal threats out there and his general game was among the best of all world class strikers, including Lewandowski, Suarez etc. Yet his end product suffered for playing for a team with less attacking talent (and will) and especially in his last season his alround game was also heavily criticized. On top, his work against the ball was not as good as those of many other elite strikers these days and it reportedly made a few top clubs pass on him. Still a force to be reckoned with: Ronaldo is not a pure poacher, he can be a real asset in build up compared to more wasteful strikers and his exceptional off the ball movement often unsettles defenses - which often goes unnoticed but leads to opportunities anyway. The biggest question mark behind him is however his defensive contribution since many top managers hesitate to play him as a lone striker due to it.
Neymar is obviously a compeltely different player. Usually he is the one who initiates attacks for PSG. He's not only found far away from the box, he also makes crucial plays in those areas that are often overlooked since they don't show up in highlight reels when it doesn't lead to a goal. At this point in time Neymar is probably the single best player at overplaying opponents, unlocking organized defenses and freeing players up behind the last line. He's exceptional in tight spaces and few are as good as him at progressing the ball up the field, either by dribbling himself, one twos or passes between the lines. At that, he's incredibly inventive and versatile: He can beat players by skill or pace, utilizes body feints to create very tight passing lanes and anticipates possible patterns of play like few others. On top of that, he's also a very big goal threat, often getting at the end of attacks he himself created. And despite his reputation, Neymar has also improved his work against the ball immensely in recent seasons.
So in essence, he's better than Ronaldo is right now for the same reasons Messi - a very very similar player type to Neymar - was better than Ronaldo at his prime. They are the heart of the attack, doing the most difficult things which only a handful of others can do. Reducing him to dribbling is incredibly short sighted, IMO. Surely his skills on the ball are his most prominent feature but he also has the intelligence and reading of the game to make them count.
And that's not true for Ronaldo, regardless of how good he is at what he does - at least not anymore. He used to be a similar player in his prime but these days he's different. Without players who take the reponsibility of outplaying opponent's, creating space, momebtum, superiority and therefore opportunities for him, Ronaldo is too much of a passenger. Sure, it is easier to create when he is on the pitch but there's only so much you can compensate that way.
You are genuinely clueless.
As much as I dislike him, Ronaldo the player really is ridiculous.
It was a top heavy league, and not as competitive as Serie 80s.
Santos had an advantage of having a ridiculously stacked team, which helped them crush the small teams or even the big teams occasionally but if you see the tables, they were not really far off their title rivals.
But let us not forget they did the same to the European sides when they met.
I mean even when they were not really in their peak, they still made the great Real Madrid side work their ass off for a win that famous 5-3 tie, when Pele was just 18.
No reason to present arguments against complete ignorance. The Brazilian state leagues were the best in the world as was proven by the success of their teams in the copa libertadores, the intercontinental cups and the success of the national team in 3 world cups. Your worship of your idol has blinded you to logic it would seem.
But Messi is fine right? Yet I’m the blinded one. Carry on with the straw man debates
They did do the same to all the best European sides indeed. Benfica, the Milans, etc.
Yes you are the blinded one
Just wanted to laugh at this
Messi is trash bro, deal with it.
Ronaldo is back home and we are winning the quadruple this season. Pele had 3, let me repeat, 3 World Cups. Now no more “runner up means jack” reason to use for Pele’s success in the World Cup yet he is ranked 5th in the GOAT debate here?
Amongst the candidates for GOAT, Pele has the least number of flaws. Supreme tier 1 talent like Maradona and Messi, supreme goal scoring record for the “only goals matter brigate”, 3 World Cups which everyone else in the debate has to play catch up to, played in the strongest league of his era and constantly whipping best European teams.
The only reason why he is 5th is because he is a not a Portugese. In terms of actual achievements, he dwarfs the rest of the competition
Amongst the candidates for GOAT, Pele has the least number of flaws. Supreme tier 1 talent like Maradona and Messi, supreme goal scoring record for the “only goals matter brigate”, 3 World Cups which everyone else in the debate has to play catch up to, played in the strongest league of his era and constantly whipping best European teams.
The only reason why he is 5th is because he is a not a Portugese. In terms of actual achievements, he dwarfs the rest of the competition
Absolutely
Nice satirical postMessi is trash bro, deal with it.
I just want to have CL now, cant bear those little red more pink cnuts having double of us.Messi is trash bro, deal with it.
Am I missing something here?!
Response to a Portuguese poster.
Ah right. How many other Portuguese players did he rank in his top five @Swoobs ?
It was mostly regional league back then, good teams like Santos mix with some good teams and some bad local teams in the league.
National league only introduced in Brazil after 1970.
Nothing satirical about it, I'm just a Manchester United fan that knows what's up.
You seemed to have an issue with me? He named 1 Portugese player in his top 5, but more importantly he placed 1 Portugese player higher than Pele (who he placed in 5th). A player whosr achievement dwarved everyone else in the debate yet in 5th. If Pele was a Portugese, you think he will put him at 5th?
I know but Brazil is fcuking big
, travelling away during those times by bus or train would have costed them a lot of time, and aeroplane was expensive for weekly travelNot judging by today’s resultsMessi is trash bro, deal with it.
Figo is Portuguese and is not even top 10 for me.
This post is stupid.
I never said 5th I said top5 which means he can be 4 it’s between him and fat Ronaldo for 4 and 5.
He’s behind Ronaldo Messi and Maradona which is hardly a disrespect.
Those Brazil teams win the world cup without pele and he didn’t even play in one of those 3 World Cup wins.
You put any of the above 3 In those Brazil teams and they win as well.
You put Messi in Spain they wound of won the same trophies they won already without him except Messi would have 2 euros and a WC. You get my point yet?
Ronaldo Messi and Maradona are the pinnacle of football and the order in which you place them is everyone’s own opinion and choice.
Two World Cups as a key player. You can hardly count the '62 World Cup as a feather in Pelé's cap. He only played two games, both in the group stage. One win and a goalless draw. 1962 was 100% Garrincha's World Cup.
It's just a fluke, we keep it moving.Not judging by today’s results
Messi would suffer just as much in that Juve team if not more. He only just joined his new club and has been living in comfort for ages now. Let's see how he does although I'd imagine with the talent on the team it wont be an issue.
You're having a laugh if you think Neymar is better than Ronaldo despite all that he does. Even with just dribbling, Neymard is not all that better than Ronaldo and even the current Ronaldo is a great dribbler in tight spaces when he makes room for a shot. Ronaldo's final third play is genius level.
Again you're just impressed by players who are fancy on the ball and overrate them. Football games aren't won like that. Being the best football is not being a ball contortionist.
Seriously, for someone who thinks a consistent Hazard would be Messi and better than Ronaldo you love to sit on your high horse and talk down to people. Your go to answers are you "lacking reading comprehension" and "ignorance".
I can't help but feel you are insecure your favorite players status is being threatened by Ronaldo.
But is it a significant surprise that someone has included Ronaldo in their top five players of all time? Is it even that big a shock that they included him over Pele? I mean, a lot of people would consider him top three of all time, even if you don't. It's not like he's included Eusebio. I just thought that particular barb was badly thought through.
So no substantial arguments on your part, nice.
Right, yours was very substantial? As much as it being "intellectually dishonest" to think Ronaldo has better goals
He is in the Messi can do no wrong camp.
Someone who claims hazard would be Messi or Ronaldo talking shooting ignorance is beyond laughable.
The force is not strong with this one.
No insecurity here. But you’re a Ronaldo worshipper just like him so I can’t expect anything sensible from you, unfortunately.
I think with recent developments -- Messi going to ligue 1 and Ronaldo to EPL has drove some folks mad.
Beautiful pointz
If I was so pro Portuguese then Eusebio and Figo would be all the way up their as well but I never mention them.
It’s a lady straw man argument with no substance.
You know the force is a fictional concept from a kids’ film right? Looks like the grip on reality is not strong with this one.
And of course I think Messi can do wrong, I’ve criticised him many times on these boards (e.g. the fact that he has no goals in the KO rounds of the WC).
You thinking Ronaldo can do wrong though? That’s a true impossibility.
Hilarious
Dude your only argument is “your a Ronaldo worshiper” your points makes no sense.
It’s hilarious that you call anyone who prefers Ronaldo a “Ronaldo worshiper” when your literally on your knees for Messi defending him none stop for 3 days.
It’s fine I get it your threatened that Ronaldo is a better player Jesus just move on.
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