http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_...lian-great

Personally, I agree with Pele. I think Messi is a product of Barcelona's system, in which he thrives. He never lives up to his reputation when playing for Argentina. I'm not saying he isn't the best footballer in the world RIGHT NOW, but I do not think he is on the level of a Pele or Maradona. Honestly, I think Christiano is the best technical player in the world, but his lack of heart and selfishness hold him back. If he had Messi's mindset and cool demeanor, I think he would be looked at differently.

i agree with this. Messi is great, but Barca's midfield is so ridiculous that it makes it easy for him to excel. Put Messi on a good but not great team and it would be interesting to see what he could do. Dealing with Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Fabregas, David Villa (not so much right now) tends to distract the defense a little bit

Yep, that system with those players is almost impossible to beat. Ronaldo does himself no favors in the media, but the guy is so complete it is crazy. He can shoot it with either foot from anywhere, corners, free kicks, crosses, footwork etc. I think people tend to look more at the numbers than they do the actual games. I think you could put a lot of top tier strikers in Barca and they could lead Europe in scoring. I think if you take CR7 from Real, you're looking at a Peyton Manning effect. You take Messi away, just plug in Villa and he would do the same thing (when healthy). Messi has a great team with a great manager. Not saying CR7 doesnt, but he doesn't have near the help or stability that Messi gets.

I think, (imho) when finished, Messi will be considered the best. The defenses now are so much more physical then when Pele and Maradona played. Messi has to endure so much more in today's game. As far as playing with Argentina, Messi is never given the ball. The other players just try to do all on the own and not play as a team.

(01-20-2012 05:38 PM)4Blue Wrote:  I think, (imho) when finished, Messi will be considered the best. The defenses now are so much more physical then when Pele and Maradona played. Messi has to endure so much more in today's game. As far as playing with Argentina, Messi is never given the ball. The other players just try to do all on the own and not play as a team.

He is a product of the Barcelona style of play. Do you think he could what he does at a Man City, Chelsea, or even Real? I really don't think he could. Not to say he wouldn't be great, but I don't think his numbers would be a gaudy.

(01-20-2012 05:45 PM)Tigerfan935 Wrote:  

(01-20-2012 05:38 PM)4Blue Wrote:  I think, (imho) when finished, Messi will be considered the best. The defenses now are so much more physical then when Pele and Maradona played. Messi has to endure so much more in today's game. As far as playing with Argentina, Messi is never given the ball. The other players just try to do all on the own and not play as a team.

He is a product of the Barcelona style of play. Do you think he could what he does at a Man City, Chelsea, or even Real? I really don't think he could. Not to say he wouldn't be great, but I don't think his numbers would be a gaudy.

I think he would be great but yes his numbers would not be quite as good. The defense would focus on him and make the rest of the team beat them.

To be fair, put Messi on those old Brazil teams and he'd have a few winner's medals as well. Their level of talent was outrageous compared to most teams at the time. At the same time, if you put Pele on Argentina they still don't win the WC. BTW, Pele >>>>>>>>>Messi, but Argentina's talent pool just isnt that great right now at the back, on the wings, and especially on the bench.

Yep...he sucks so bad that he should be playing at San Jose....please?


Barcelona may be great but his individual skill is as good as, if not better than CR. Watch Messi move through heavy traffic, and then tell me if you think that CR could do that? I don't think so. CR is best at speed taking on defenders one on one. Messi, on the other hand, has no problem zig zaggin through an entire defense in the box.

(01-23-2012 01:36 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  Yep...he sucks so bad that he should be playing at San Jose....please?


Barcelona may be great but his individual skill is as good as, if not better than CR. Watch Messi move through heavy traffic, and then tell me if you think that CR could do that? I don't think so. CR is best at speed taking on defenders one on one. Messi, on the other hand, has no problem zig zaggin through an entire defense in the box.

It's amazing how much upper body strength Messi has despite his diminutive frame.

(01-20-2012 03:57 PM)Tigerfan935 Wrote:  http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_...lian-great

Personally, I agree with Pele. I think Messi is a product of Barcelona's system, in which he thrives. He never lives up to his reputation when playing for Argentina. I'm not saying he isn't the best footballer in the world RIGHT NOW, but I do not think he is on the level of a Pele or Maradona. Honestly, I think Christiano is the best technical player in the world, but his lack of heart and selfishness hold him back. If he had Messi's mindset and cool demeanor, I think he would be looked at differently.

BTW, CR has a whole lot of heart. The type of player he is means that he is really playing hurt every game. I bet his ankles just give out sometime in the next few years.

He is selfish though...

(01-23-2012 01:43 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 01:36 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  Yep...he sucks so bad that he should be playing at San Jose....please?


Barcelona may be great but his individual skill is as good as, if not better than CR. Watch Messi move through heavy traffic, and then tell me if you think that CR could do that? I don't think so. CR is best at speed taking on defenders one on one. Messi, on the other hand, has no problem zig zaggin through an entire defense in the box.

It's amazing how much upper body strength Messi has despite his diminutive frame.

He is so slippery in close quarters. Having seen Barcelona in person, he was the class of the field with the ball at his feet. The crowd collectively gasped as he sliced through defenders in spots you just didn't think it would be possible.

(01-23-2012 02:22 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 01:43 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote:  

(01-23-2012 01:36 PM)GrayBeard Wrote:  Yep...he sucks so bad that he should be playing at San Jose....please?


Barcelona may be great but his individual skill is as good as, if not better than CR. Watch Messi move through heavy traffic, and then tell me if you think that CR could do that? I don't think so. CR is best at speed taking on defenders one on one. Messi, on the other hand, has no problem zig zaggin through an entire defense in the box.

It's amazing how much upper body strength Messi has despite his diminutive frame.

He is so slippery in close quarters. Having seen Barcelona in person, he was the class of the field with the ball at his feet. The crowd collectively gasped as he sliced through defenders in spots you just didn't think it would be possible.

He has the best ball control I've ever seen. It becomes a part of his foot like a grotesque sixth toe.