Well Messi isn't in his prime anymore. But also their defense is rubbish. If Messi had been injured for most of the season, I'd be surprised if they managed to finish any higher than midtable. Not to mention how little Griezmann and Dembele are able to step up when it matters. Even when they knocked out us out in 2019 they felt average for Barcelona and now since then they become worse and worse.People who actually watch football would agree that Messi is much worse that his stats suggest. Barca getting spanked by any decent team is down to them having to defend with 9 players for 90 minutes.
Not entirely his fault, but he is a big problem. It is quite easy for teams to break Barca's pressing because they basically start the game with -1 player in defence. His attacking game is still very good (elite), but I seriously can't remember the last time I was nervous watching El Clasico with him on the pitch. His off the ball movement is terrible, and it's quite easy for any solid midfield to close him down. For me, he is the best player of this generation, but he is far past his peak.So it's Messi's fault they concede as often as they do? What rubbish, more MOTM awards than anyone else in 2021.
His new contract will only pay him 12 million a year. Without him Barca finish outside a CL spot. Barca have all kinds of issues defensively and starts much more with the midfield than it does with Messi. Messi’s contract was never the problem, it’s the absurd amount of money given to umtiti, Roberto, Griezman and Coutinho.Not entirely his fault, but he is a big problem. It is quite easy for teams to break Barca's pressing because they basically start the game with -1 player in defence. His attacking game is still very good (elite), but I seriously can't remember the last time I was nervous watching El Clasico with him on the pitch. His off the ball movement is terrible, and it's quite easy for any solid midfield to close him down. For me, he is the best player of this generation, but he is far past his peak.
I think Barca is making a big mistake by extending his contract and paying him hundreds of millions dollars instead of investing in new reinforcements.
Not entirely his fault, but he is a big problem. It is quite easy for teams to break Barca's pressing because they basically start the game with -1 player in defence. His attacking game is still very good (elite), but I seriously can't remember the last time I was nervous watching El Clasico with him on the pitch. His off the ball movement is terrible, and it's quite easy for any solid midfield to close him down. For me, he is the best player of this generation, but he is far past his peak.
I think Barca is making a big mistake by extending his contract and paying him hundreds of millions dollars instead of investing in new reinforcements.
As a fellow RM-fan, while i agree on some of your points, i'll throw a party the day he actually leaves Barcelona(which may as well be never at this rate).Not entirely his fault, but he is a big problem. It is quite easy for teams to break Barca's pressing because they basically start the game with -1 player in defence. His attacking game is still very good (elite), but I seriously can't remember the last time I was nervous watching El Clasico with him on the pitch. His off the ball movement is terrible, and it's quite easy for any solid midfield to close him down. For me, he is the best player of this generation, but he is far past his peak.
I think Barca is making a big mistake by extending his contract and paying him hundreds of millions dollars instead of investing in new reinforcements.
There is no glamour in kante getting the ballon d'or. He is deserved or not is another debate but nobody in media talking him up except in your imaginary world.The media is obviously talking up Kante for this
I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it - you must have noticed, though, that its become "fashionable" for commentators, pundits, etc to praise him at every opportunityThere is no glamour in kante getting the ballon d'or. He is deserved or not is another debate but nobody in media talking him up except in your imaginary world.
I don't bother he will get it or not infact kante himself didn't care about it but you people talk like he don't deserve the award is laughable.
Media praised mbappe Pogba then kante in that order whenever they wax lyrical about france. Or you not comfortable with kante getting recognition for his work. He is infact get three motm in two semi finals and final in cl. Not messi or Ronaldo or Modric didn't achieve in their balloon d'or winning campaigns.I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it - you must have noticed, though, that its become "fashionable" for commentators, pundits, etc to praise him at every opportunity
He is being talked up a lot. Really a lot which all started based on two good CL appearances. Chelsea fans have become almost unbearable ever since the Kante hype started.There is no glamour in kante getting the ballon d'or. He is deserved or not is another debate but nobody in media talking him up except in your imaginary world.
I don't bother he will get it or not infact kante himself didn't care about it but you people talk like he don't deserve the award is laughable.
I for one agree, they would much better off without messiAs a fellow RM-fan, while i agree on some of your points, i'll throw a party the day he actually leaves Barcelona(which may as well be never at this rate).
Sick and tired of him just winning games for Barca on his own, even if he doesnt show up that often against RM anymore.
It seems that you don't actually watch football, he is much more than his stats.People who actually watch football would agree that Messi is much worse that his stats suggest. Barca getting spanked by any decent team is down to them having to defend with 9 players for 90 minutes.
They won the CDR. It shouldn't matter though when it comes to deciding who the best player is in a team sport.Messi will win it despite not winning anything at club level. Only player that that could even be a possibility for.
First of all, Messi won the Copa del Rey.Messi will win it despite not winning anything at club level. Only player that that could even be a possibility for.
I still can’t believe Ribery or robben didn’t win it in 2013. Either one of them absolutely deserved it. They even extended the voting for the award if I remember correctly.First of all, Messi won the Copa del Rey.
Secondly, there is only one player in recent history who has won the ballon d’or without winning a club trophy...and it’s CR7
In fairness people complain a lot about Messi’s 2010 ballon d’or it seemsI still can’t believe Ribery or robben didn’t win it in 2013. Either one of them absolutely deserved it. They even extended the voting for the award if I remember correctly.
They did. It was so strange. And Messi was injured for 2 months that year also.I still can’t believe Ribery or robben didn’t win it in 2013. Either one of them absolutely deserved it. They even extended the voting for the award if I remember correctly.
Sure, in terms of team trophies won Ribery should have won it. But then individually speaking its 11 goals 16 assists vs 55 goals 12 assists, playing in exact same role/position, he was almost 5 times less productive than Ronaldo, while at that time Ronaldo was still a performance beast (8.15 avg rating, 15 motm), its really hard to give it to Ribery. If he has 30+ goals and 20+ assist or something, to make the gap looks more respectful, he could have won it.I still can’t believe Ribery or robben didn’t win it in 2013. Either one of them absolutely deserved it. They even extended the voting for the award if I remember correctly.
Aside from goals I think Ribery smashed Ronaldo in every other statistic. Dribbles, chances created, passes, crosses, tackles, pretty much everything. It's why bringing up goals while ignoring other stats is such a bad way of looking at it. Clearly Ronaldo was playing as a striker and Ribery as a midfielder so it makes no sense comparing goals alone.Sure, in terms of team trophies won Ribery should have won it. But then individually speaking its 11 goals 16 assists vs 55 goals 12 assists, playing in exact same role/position, he was almost 5 times less productive than Ronaldo, while at that time Ronaldo was still a performance beast (8.15 avg rating, 15 motm), its really hard to give it to Ribery. If he has 30+ goals and 20+ assist or something, to make the gap looks more respectful, he could have won it.
No really, back in 2013 Ronaldo was an all action LWF in 433 (or 4231) formation, Ribery was a LWF in 433 (or 4231) formation too. Basically they were playing at the exact same role/position for their team.Aside from goals I think Ribery smashed Ronaldo in every other statistic. Dribbles, chances created, passes, crosses, tackles, pretty much everything. It's why bringing up goals while ignoring other stats is such a bad way of looking at it. Clearly Ronaldo was playing as a striker and Ribery as a midfielder so it makes no sense comparing goals alone.
de Bruyne is injured, he won’t win ballon d’orI am convinced that there are only three contenders now (assuming all three players remain injury-free in the respective tournaments)
- Kante : if France win the Euros
- Messi: if Argentina win the Copa, and if France don’t win the Euros
- De Bruyne: if Belgium win the Euros, and if Argentina don’t win the Copa
Pet peeve of mine, but this is wrong. They played in the same starting position on paper, but their roles were completely different. Cristiano was largely a goalscorer/box player, more of a combination of Muller and Robben to stay with that bayern side. Ribery was a playmaker, more along the lines of OzilNo really, back in 2013 Ronaldo was an all action LWF in 433 (or 4231) formation, Ribery was a LWF in 433 (or 4231) formation too. Basically they were playing at the exact same role/position for their team.
Surely it's between them now. Kante is definitely out of contention now.Seems like it’s just between Messi and Lewandowski now.
Well he deserved to win it last season so I’d be happy with that.I think even if Argentina wins Copa del Rey it may still go to lewa. Especially if he gets off to a hot start in the new season
I doubt Messi will take it if Argentina lose to Brazil in Copa America to be honestWell he deserved to win it last season so I’d be happy with that.
messi will win it though despite a below average season by his standards (still a great season objectively though).
Doubt it will be De Bruyne because he didn't even win the premier league's player of the season and stuff.I am convinced that there are only three contenders now (assuming all three players remain injury-free in the respective tournaments)
- Kante : if France win the Euros
- Messi: if Argentina win the Copa, and if France don’t win the Euros
- De Bruyne: if Belgium win the Euros, and if Argentina don’t win the Copa
