That's probably true, much easier to shut down a midfielder when there aren't other big threats. Prime Modric got absolutely shut down by Adrien Silva in the Euros for example.
Third Best Player this Generation
- Thread starter RedDevilCanuck
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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.
Xavi >> Iniesta.
Agree. I mean he only was man of the match in World Cup, European Championship and Champions League finals, a complete bottler I would say
Iniesta only had one chance as the undisputed star of his team, at the 2016 Euros, and he didn't do all that well, but it's too small a sample to tell, and too unpredictable(being a NT tournament)
We'll never know how good he could have been in such a role...
He was excellent until Spain got knocked out and was comfortably the best player at Euro 2012. I think Iniesta and Robben are the a class above the rest in this argument.
Ronaldinho. Although he had only three world class seasons (From 2003-04 to 05-06) he remained at a very good level until the end of the 2009-10 season and even before barcelona he was a big prospect just barely below world class. Many mention Xavi and Iniesta but were they that good in the early 2000's ? Seems like they only started becoming better from 2008 onwards, dinho upped the level of his game much earlier.
I'm not sure Ronaldinho belonged to the Messi/Ronaldo generation. He peaked way before Messi was a regular.
Ronaldinho
Iniesta or Xavi probably - Id go with Xavi but honestly its so hard to separate the two... that said Kaka actually won it in 2007 the last player bar messi / ronaldo to do so so he probably deserves a shouut
Neymar (as iniesta was born in 1984)
But how you define the question kinda dictates the answer
It is kinda amazing to think that since 2007 Messi finished 3rd and he has either won (5X) or finished 2nd (4X) since - and of course looks like he is probably going to finish 2nd this time - plus he will have what another 3 or 4 years at the top probably?
Could see him retiring with something like 7 ballon dors 7 runners up and a third...
its just crazy when you think Platini had 3X 1st and 3X 3rd... Cruyff 3X 1sy and 1X 3rd
perhaps its become a bit too based on overall reputation rather than the individual year? or perhaps there just hasnt been quite the quality just behind Messi and Ronaldo
It depends on which years are in the generation. Even though Messi was not a regular in Dinho's peak, he would be soon after and Dinho was still playing well at the start of Messi's peak, same with Ronaldo. Xavi is from 1980, so is Dinho...
They've been so good for so long they nearly cut across two generations of players. Cristiano has been in the top 23 of the Ballon D'Or since freaking 2004. 14 straight years and if not for injuries that will become 17 or 18 in a few years too which is ridiculous.
I expect both of them to end their careers surpassing the number of appearances of guys like Giggs or Maldini.
Don't think there is a very clear number three. There's a reason why we talk about the top two, not a top three. Messi and Ronaldo have been in a league of their own. The quality drop-off down to a bunch of players in top 3-10 is quite big.
I choose Xavi,although he is older than Iniesta I consider them part of the same generation, they share prominence and glory during their best years.
Xavi started to be a global star quite late,with 28 years.
If we look for the most recent,in the last 3 or 4 years I'd say Modric
Xavi started to be a global star quite late,with 28 years.
If we look for the most recent,in the last 3 or 4 years I'd say Modric
injuries permitting possibly but my gut feel is no
I think giggs had around 1027 and maldini around the same
Messi / Ronaldo are currently averaging around 55 games a season with internationals
Ronaldo currently has (I think) 882 so another 3 seasons of playing most games should do it... but not sure if he will want to bow out at the top? plus he will be 33 by the end of the season
Messi has 727 so quote a way to go to be honest but he is only 30 and I could see him having a season or 2 in Argentina when he finishes with Barca?
Still amazing as forwards what they have done though... to put it in perspective zlatan is 36 and has played around 40 games less than ronaldo so far!
Xavi is probably on the generation before them with Buffon, Pirlo, Scholes and Co.
Iniesta definitely for me. On top 10 to be Zlatan, Robben, Ribery, Neuer, Aguero, Ramon and Suarez. Neymar doesn't make my top 10 (or near it) considering that so far he has been just hype and goals in international friendly matches. Kaka had a very short peak to be on these lists IMO, while I considered Lampard and Gerrard in the generation before this.
Iniesta definitely for me. On top 10 to be Zlatan, Robben, Ribery, Neuer, Aguero, Ramon and Suarez. Neymar doesn't make my top 10 (or near it) considering that so far he has been just hype and goals in international friendly matches. Kaka had a very short peak to be on these lists IMO, while I considered Lampard and Gerrard in the generation before this.
Six years is not a short peak, and Xavi's prime coincided with Cristiano's
Always felt like demographers are a bit illogical with how long they define generations. It doesn't really make sense culturally to have someone born 1977 in the same generation as someone born in 1994. They will have completely different cultural reference points their entire lives.
In footballing terms I think you have use historical moments in hindsight to really define a generation rather than try to use some arbitrary birthday range. Like the Messi-Ronaldo generation really should begin with the decline of Kaka-Ronaldinho and it will end in the next year or two when someone new wins the Ballon. So I wouldn't consider Neymar part of the Messi-Ronaldo generation especially since he is looking most likely to be the one to break their Ballon dominance. I know this is tricky for some like Maldini that play forever but I would say someone like Maldini is more part of multiple generations rather than trying to define generations around those with the epic long careers. Maybe "era" is a better term than generation.
Apart from Messi/Ronaldo the only player that probably would be in the all times team is Xavi.
You can't be serious ??
Changed my vote to De Gea.
True.
Xavi.
Iniesta played 13 CL semi finals and 3 CL finals. How often did he have a MotM like performance in those?
I think he has a high amount of good big game performances for Spain even if you look at the number of opportunities he had. Not so sure about Barca.
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Does Xavi count? If so, him by a mile.
If not, then Iniesta.
If not, then Iniesta.
Jesse Lingard
Xavi depending on what you consider cut off, or else Iniesta.
When Iniesta and Xavi played together I was more a Xavi fan, which is strange because I really love players who can dribble.
Zlatan in my opinion. He is a superstar and will go down as one of the greats.
My vote would go on Neymar!
Iniesta by a distance.