The game's all about end product these days, that's the reason Messi and Ronaldo are allowed to do what they want on the pitch. Intangibles don't matter that much anymore for attackers, or else flair players like Ozil will be on the same level as Messi.
So do you rate Lukaku higher than a Firminho?
Depends on the system and the team. A Firmino without Salah and Mane? I'd probably have to take Lukaku. But if I do have those two then Firmino for sure.
Guessing you missed the countless threads on this forum comparing him to past historical players.
Well - no. He wouldn't have been considered in the same bracket in any age.
I think its the fact that high-profile players and managers generally don't discuss C. Ronaldo as the greatest of all time while Messi has been discussed in that breath since he hit his prime. Fergie said recently that in 2009 Messi was the best in the world and now he's the greatest of all time. For me Ronaldo is obviously one of the greatest, but overall his skill on the ball is not quite on the same level as the other goats.
If Ozil consistently had the same numbers as Messi he'd be viewed on a similar level for sure, because he's also aesthetically very pleasing to watch. That's why I chose a player like him as an example.
But is that not what happened with Ronaldo? Considering they are practically dead even at club level many said "who ever wins something for there country will be the Greatest" pundits and fans all said this especially in 2014 leading up to the final they were all ready to close up any comparison threads yet then in 2016 Ronaldo wins a major trophy for his country and the subsequent tie breaker is achieved along with having done a 3 peat in the CL yet right on cue the narrative changed and it does not matter he achieved international glory.
I agree gotta love these friendly performances. Hopefully the same can be done in a competitive game.
That's because Ronaldo doesn't have the ability of Messi.
I can’t say I’ve been following the debate pre 2014. I can’t argue with that though mate, their fans will side by there favourite and not be convinced otherwise regardless of what happens.
And Messi doesn't have the mental ability of Cristiano Ronaldo, not even close.
I don’t think that Barcelona side would have been made better by swapping Messi with Ronaldo
This has to be a wum surely?
I never said the Barcelona side would be better - I said that Ronaldo would have more numbers because that's all he has. I'm not taking anything away from the Barcelona lot.
Mental strength you mean. Perhaps not, but the game is called football so it's hardly surprising that most people place what a player can do with the ball at his feet before anything else.
That's hard to say in a sense because Ronaldo would've had to have played a much bigger role in general play had he played for Barcelona. I'm not sure he's suited to that.
ive seen plenty of pundits give Ronaldo that acclaim though. Ruud Gullit just said earlier this year that he thought Ronaldo was the best of all time. I’ve also seen others speak of him in the discussion as the greatest.
Its a cute post until you realize Messi is the second best player of his generation. That in itself is no shame though. He would be #! in any other era that did not have Ronaldo in it.
I agree. Its something I will tell my kids about. Both are idols. Don't matter who you prefer just enjoy the last few years.
Whatever about it being a 'cute' post, it's an accurate one.
Really? Feels like it's 95% of pundits who say Messi, I hear Ronaldo has great work etic but hardly ever that he is the GOAT like Messi is.
Because you concluded it was? Because every box checks in Ronaldos favor bar the fact that I agree Messi is more talented though that does not equate to Ronaldo being talentless as he is a very gifted footballer. If the measurement of talent alone was the sole equation of determining who was a better player then R9 or Ronaldinho are the two greatest players of all time.
I'll give you this one Sporting, I don't give as much clout to friendlies but love to have fun in this threadI agree gotta love these friendly performances. Hopefully the same can be done in a competitive game.
In a friendly ffsReally? Feels like it's 95% of pundits who say Messi, I hear Ronaldo has great work etic but hardly ever that he is the GOAT like Messi is.
This footwork by Messi today is sublime:
https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/dy9803/messis_quick_footwork/
Destroying a team Ronaldo failed against.
Comparing a non competitive friendly to a World Cup Knockout round
You and I both mateI'll give you this one Sporting, I don't give as much clout to friendlies but love to have fun in this thread
MJ was a god in the finals, Ronaldo absolutely isn't. MJ wasn't outshined by Pippen on the biggest stage possible the way Ronaldo was usually outshined by Ramos or Bale. Ronaldo's mentality is closer to Westbrook. He'll still take the free kicks, or in Westbrook's case the final shot even if there are better options. Hell of a talent, physical freak, but a crappy attitude at times and they both love to chase personal stats
And yet scoring 7 against farmers isn't as laughable?In a friendly ffs
Were they scored in a friendly?And yet scoring 7 against farmers isn't as laughable?
Does it matter? Even if it's a friendly do you think players will put on a half assed display?
It is a EURO qualifier...one which we have got second place in and took us until the last day to confirm qualification.And yet scoring 7 against farmers isn't as laughable?
The mere thought of players 'not turning up' to represent their national side in a competitive game is laughable.
Please. His record in the CL knockouts is absolutely insane. He has led Madrid to finals on more then one occasion.
Which game have you been watching? He was their best player against Liverpool and Roma
Messi created every single chance against Liverpool in that second leg. Every. Single. One.
Even you don't believe that ffs
He went to Turin the prior season and did as my boy Shannon Sharp would say a "Virtuoso" performance which helped give them a 3-0 lead. and then had Balls of Steel to put Juve comeback attempt to bed in the 93 minute.Grab the game by the neck and say "I am Lionel fecking Messi this is not happening in back to back season" and put the game to bed. Put it in your own hands and take over the game when your team needs you most.
