Messi: the best player of all time?
At a time when Cristiano Ronaldo is making the headlines for his unhappiness at Real Madrid, I would like to talk about the man who has a lot to do with CR7’s state of mind - Lionel Messi.
On comments posted on my blog I am often accused of being pro Ronaldo.
However, I just give my opinion and recently it has been that the Portuguese winger deserved to win the last UEFA Best Player in Europe award. Not necessarily because he is better than Messi, but because he had won more titles last season and was more decisive than the Argentine for club and country.
I think it is pretty tough to compare the two anyway. As Ronaldo told me a few months ago in an interview, you can’t compare a Ferrari with a Porsche.
But I wanted to write about Messi because I think he is reaching a level where we must start considering him to be the best player of all time. That's because he has started scoring consistently for Argentina, and not only that, he has started to score spectacular and decisive goals for his country as well.
Leading up to Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Peru, the 25-year-old had scored 10 goals in six games for La Albiceleste. It is a run that has included hat-tricks against Switzerland and Brazil and featured Messi playing as well if not better than he does at Barcelona.
And this for me is the key development in Messi’s career.
For the first time he is delivering the goods for his country, and this means all the criticism he has had in the past that he could only play in Barca’s system, is disappearing.
He is becoming more mature, on and off the pitch, and I would even say that he is slowly becoming a leader on the pitch as well.
He may not be the most vocal of players, but Messi is showing his teammates the way in the national team. He is literally saying, “give me the ball and I will do something with it.”
This, for me, is what is making Messi a new and improved superstar.
So what does the Argentine phenomenon need to do in order to be truly considered one of the best players of all time? I think you know the answer to that question. He must do what Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane did - lead his country to a World Cup title.
Over the weekend I was watching some highlights from Argentina’s 1986 World Cup campaign and saw so many similarities between Maradona and Messi.
The first thing we can compare is the goals they scored against England and Getafe respectively, but even as far as style of play is concerned, I believe Messi is becoming more and more like Maradona. The Barca star is coming deeper and deeper to get the ball, and he is becoming a better passer every season.
When Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in Mexico he was 25. The 25-year-old Messi will be 27 at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, when he is likely to be at the peak of his powers - or so Argentina hopes.
(Editor's note: Messi's age corrected to make clear he will 26 when the 2014 World Cup starts and 27 when the tournament finishes. This was an error in the subbing process for which I apologise - John Sinnott, digital sport producer.)
The World cup is in 2014 and therefore in 2 years. -Messi will be 26 going on 27 so using the word destiny may be a bit strong but I agree that anything is possible with him in the team.
It is a privilege being first to opine. I have always been critical about your comments, when it comes to Ronaldo vs Messi. Sorry for that. I thought, like many others, you were little partial. I have hardly missed reading your articles, so it shows how much I appreciate your work, despite my criticism. Good luck mr Pedro. And free Tibet
If not Iniesta, it should have been Messi who won the EUFA Player award. Messi won more title than Ronaldo (4 cups and multiple individual records and awards). Ronaldo only won 1 title, the league. Although the league is considered higher than the cups Messi won, the records messi broke really outweigh it.
Messi will be 27 not 25 during the world cup in 2014. And your argument of Ronaldo winning more titles than messi last season is also not true considering ronaldo won la liga while messi won the copa del rey, uefa and spanish super cups, and the world club cup. Furthermore if you argue that la liga should count more than all the others together, well in the copa and super cup barca directly knocked out madrid when head to head. Also on a personal level, messi won the top scorer award in the world club cup, la liga, and champions league, breaking records in the latter 2 which included a 2nd European golden boot, so theres the personal battle done with. so i ask you pedro, care to find another argument besides the flawed "ronaldo won more trophies"?
Reblogged this on Blogibuzz and commented:
Mess is the best !
Very nice article and all (except for the fact that legends such as cruyff and Eusubio failed to win a world cup yet they are seen as being among the legends), but messi will be 27 by the time of the rio world cup... Which is not next year, but in 2014... Messi is 25 currently.... Read my name, that's what you should do
First of all, Messi has been Argentina\'s undisputed leader ever since Sabella has taken over. He has not been \"slowing becoming a leader on the pitch.\" He is and has been for about a year the leader of Argentina. Second, Messi has been dropping back into the midfield to help keep possession since Guardiola moved him to the false-nine position. Even with Argentina at the 2010 WC, he did not score a single goal because his main purpose was to drop back and help feed the forwards.
Also, his passing isn\'t really improving: he has been the best passer in the world for quite some time now. In the 2010 WC, he had six goal assists for Argentina. He has been top 5 goal assists in La Liga every season since 2007/8 and in 2010/11 he led La Liga with 18 goal assists; last year he was second only to Mesut Ozil.
CR7 is a great player, a unique combination of pace dribbling and shooting abilities. However, Messi is simply the greatest player of all time. He is the deadliest finisher in the world, the best dribbler in the world, one of the top 3 passers in the world, and now quickly becoming the world\'s top freekick specialist. He is extremely intelligent and mature, having been under the wings of Xavi and Iniesta for several years now. Oh, and he\'s only 25 years old.
Yes ur thinking is right because messi is real football player and moreover he is best man
To the practical objective person the Messi vs. Ronaldo argument is settled. Messi is the better player. So if you where a
manager who would you chose to lead your team. The egocentric, pouty, Ronoldo or the well grounded, humble assist king Messi. Team player vs. individual? With no mention of skill Messi wins, plus skill Messi without second thought. As far as best ever. Messi is the best ever. I have great respect for those such as Arsene Wenger who recognized this years ago and have been willing to publicly declare it. Seems like most writers are too cowardly to make the same declaration, don’t be afraid. What wait until there is a general consensus, that is for the timid. To hell with the World
Cup argument, Messi is the best ever, any previous WC manager would today choose Messi over any other to represent there team. The World Cup is in 2014 Messi will be 26/27. If a writer is not armed with accurate facts, he is not credible.
He'll be 26, turning 27 at the 2014 WC. He's 25 right now. And he is the greatest player of all time, right now. No WC title needed. The game is MUCH harder today than it was in the 70s, 80s, even 90s. The fact that Messi is as good as he is, making players look so amateur, when the level of play is so much higher now than ever indicates that he's the greatest. But don't tell him; he won't believe you.
Messi will be 27....nice journalism.
MESSI IS THE BEST FUTBOL PLAYER OF THE WORLD, AND HE WILL BE THE BEST EVER. ABOUT YOUR COMMENTS POSTED EVERYONE KNOWS THAT YOU ARE FROM PORTUGAL.
PORTUGUES NO BORRES LOS COMENTARIOS, SI TODOS SABEMOS QUE SOS PORTUGUES. MESSI BALLON D' or 2012
I agree, though he will actually turn 27 during the next World Cup
It was all going so well until you said the world cup is next year,its in 014 and Messi will be 27,how can you get a job writing stating things like this! insane
Sorry to ruin your ending but Leo is currently 25 years old. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is in 2 years time so he will be 27.
I'm not against anything you've written but I think Messi is already the greatest player of all time. He is technically and plays much better than all the legends before him and I don't think he needs a World Cup to prove that.
The World Cup trophy he'll win in Brazil will only cement his name at the top of the pile.
MESSI BALON DE ORO 2012, ONE MORE TIME.
While I agree with you that Messi is already considered one of the greatest of all time we will have to wait and see what he does in the next few years before we can come to a definitive conclusion if even possible. I think his best moments are ahead of him as he seems to be getting better and better which is amazing.
One small correction in your article. Messi is 25 yrs old NOW. Also the World Cup in Brazil is not next year, it's in 2014 which will make Messi 27 yrs old (I believe he will turn 27 during the World Cup).
Anyway just enjoy the show as we are watching one of the truly great players of all time who has a great attitude to compliment the talent.
Last season Messi supercopa de Europa, Supercopa de Espana, Club world Cup, Copa de Rey.... Gel Boy La Liga, that 's it. what are you talking about?
i used to be a ronalo fan back when he was with manchester united.. he was a much more complete player back then in my opinion. he would pass the ball more and play with teammates more often. i believe that after his record move to madrid brought out the real him. a coky, selfish money hungry person who only cares about fame even though he was scoring many goals. In reality Messi has an amazing talent thats very unpredictable. He is humble and keeps his private life private, and the way he runs with the ball, his unpredictable movements and the most imprtant one which is the way he plays with all the Barcelona team has made him the Alien he is right now.. im only 24 years old and i thought to myself " man i am never going to witness a maradona nor a pele in my lifetime" then Messi appeared and in my opinion he is the greatest player ever to step on the pitch.
I totally agree with you. The way he plays and the many goals he scores he tops Pele and Maradona put together. He combines their strength and delivers better than both of them. for any doubter i suggest they watch Pele and Maradona's games and they will often get bored. I rank Zidane above Pele and Maradona.
This good
Messi is born to break all record that as been layed
"So how old will Messi be at next year’s World Cup in Brazil? Yes, you've guessed it – 25. Destiny? Hey, it could be. Stranger things have happened before."
Are you referring to the 2014 World cup here?
Not even the best player in barcelona!
Well said guys! Watching Messi play over these years...something tells me we might never see any like him for many many many more years to come. For the records, Messi is the greatest player of our time. And 'our time' includes Pele, Maradona & zidane.
Messi is brilliant...the greatest ever,maybe.......but that Maradonna guy.... that talent,that technique ....the artistry composed down Napoli way .....like the anzacs in gallipoli we cant forget...i wont forget...so give it to em both
I do not buy that Messi is the best ever. Messi is a great player but not the best ever. Messi plays for the best team built around him but in a very poor La Liga. La Liga is no longer what it used to be in the days when the Ronaldos,Zizou's or even Dinho played. Its now a two horse race because the other teams are too poor to challenge for La Liga. The Chelsea game and like when Messi plays a team that is actually organised he vanishes. He hasnt done anything for Argentina, which the truly great players knew how to shine for both club and country. That Argentina team is a great squad but yet they have won nothing. The real Ronaldo,Zidane and Dinho are ahead of Messi.
Please, Guys I want us all to stop this unnecessary arguement and believe that Leo Messi is the greatest player to have touch this land leather. I'm a football coach, and from my vast experience, I truely know what I'm talking.
Please, Guys I want us all to stop this unnecessary arguement and believe that Leo Messi is the greatest player to have touch this land leather. I'm a football coach, and from my vast experience, I truely know what I'm talking. Please believe this with all your hearts. Thanks.
in my opinion ronaldo R9 and zidane r the best ever to step on the pitch
what the hell are you talking about ....yeah he is in great form now he is doing great for the country and his club....but how can u compare him with pele or even maradona......u know what....forget about pele or maradona...are u trying to say that he is greater than the great brazlian ronaldo or even ronaldinho........hahaha this kinda statement makes to laugh ......first win the world cup then break the record of highest goal in world cup.....then only u can come closer to brazilian ronaldo........scored more than 1200 goal and win 3 world then u can come close to pele...hahahaha greatest of all time are u out of ur mind pinto or whoever u r...
Messi is NOT the best player of all time, He is a great finisher, but thats about it. I think many posts on here are from young people who were not around to see the greats and have no Idea, but idolize Messi,which is ok.
To make a player great is not just how many goals he scores, C.Ronaldo is a great player also but in different ways than Messi. Ronaldo has to work harder than Messi. They are both great players with their own individual talents, But I was better than both of them.
Team player vs Individual player? = Team player
Humble vs Egocentric ? = Humbled
Messi vs Ronaldo? = Messi
More silver ware vs One La Liga? = More silver ware
The game has evolved with time,its more physical and way too much faster than when your Pele,Maradonna played.But Messi continues to make it simple,he turn other pro's into amatues.Its pure talent! Watch his first touch...Ronaldo Sucks! Arrogant,big headed,egocentric.So sad that he is now not happy at Madrid.
Messi is only 25 years old,but he is already Legend of our time.
Great is relative to the era of a players generation. Though, ask yourself one question, if Messi had Ronaldos physique, and Ronaldo had Messi's physique, who would be better. I think a footballer or sports person is determined by their mentality and attitude. Talent is nothing without the commitment, grit, and determination needed to amplify and showcase the talent. Messi, has proven that he is going to be consistent for a very long time. Messi is also a very hard nosed player who strives to stay on his feet, even in the process of very cynical fouls. How many games has Messi missed in his professional career? The man is truly a beast.
"The first thing we can compare is the goals they scored against England...". Does that include goals scored by hand?
Barcelona cannot win the champions league the coming year and Argentina for sure cannot take the world cup in 2014 but trust me MESSI is still gonna win the best player next year , the reason is we just do not want to give it to C.Ronaldo the portuguese, to give it to the portugal man better give it to the South American. You robbed Ronaldo ....
Messi messi yes,,,,
Mr. Pedro..Regarding Ronaldo's comment and your comment, Who is the Porsche and Who is the Ferrari? for me Messi is the Ferrari F1 in the street of any city in the world. Ronaldo is one more good player in the world. Messi is like Maradona,Distefano,Zidane,Pele, or Sivori...even without the World Cup. Thank you. NOB
Messi is currently the best player in the world way ahead of CR7 but he has to deliver 4 Argentina at Brasil 2014 inorder to join the distinguished pantheon of R9,ZZ1O ,PELE1O&MARADONA.
A great player is great even if he dont win a world cup...
Not winning world cup makes one less popular but not less great..!
are Eusabio, Johan Cluyff and Michael Platini less greater player..?
Are two georges Weah and Best not great because they both never played world cup final tournament..?
Messi belongs there...he is the Heir after zinedine zidane closely with Ronado DeLima, who in turn took over after Platini and Maradona together who in turn took over after Cluyff and Frantz Backenbeur who took over after Pele Jazihno and Eusabio who took over after Mane Garincha...
Even if he Messi dont win world cup, please appreciate what this genius brings to the table, I mean pitch of football. It is just marvelous!
People says he plays in a better Barca Team.Tell me one great player who didnt...Pele? but Brazil of 1958 to 62 to 70 was the best ever-with or without him!
Cluyff? but total footbal reached the final with and without him..!
But my favorite to watch is ever the mesmerizing zinedine zidane.
DEAR PEDRO, I SENT THE LETTER TO CNN REGARDING YOUR BIAS ARTICLES ON CR7. I HAVE BEEN ILL TO MY STOMACH ON HOW YOU CALL CR7 "A LIEDER ON AND OFF THE PITCH" UN LESS YOU HAVE BEEN UNDER A ROCK, YOU KNOW THAT THIS GUY, ALTHOUGH A GREAT PLAYER, HE IS HARDLY A LEADER OFF THE PITCH, HE IS ARROGANT, HE IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER AND AN INDIVIDUALIST IN A GAME OF 11. I KNOW THAT YOU WANT PORTUGAL'S PRIDE TO COME UP AND YOU HAVE USE YOUR POSITION AT CNN TO BOOST HIS PROFILE, BUT THE WORLD HAVE SEEN HOW THIS GUY CRY BEHAVES ON AND OFF THE PITCH. WE HAVE BEEN AT EVENTS IN ZURICH AND YOU KNOW THAT HE CR7 BEHAVES WITH A GOD COMPLEX EVERY EVENT THAT HE ATTENDS, UNLESS IS WITH YOU OF COURSE, HE GIVES YOU INTERVIEWS 'CAUSE HE KNOWS THAT YOU WILL ASK HIM THE HARD QUESTIONS. LAST NICE ARTICLE ON MESSI, BUT YOU SHOULD PRESSURE CR7 TO WIN SOMETHING WITH PORTUGAL, BUT IF YOU ASK NANI FOR EXAMPLE, HE WILL TELL YOU THAT HE HATES TO PLAY WITH CR7 BECAUSE ALL OF THINGS MENTIONED ABOVE, SEE YOU IN ZURICH AT THE END OF THE YEAR. J GREY
Messi is in a class of his own. I think he is the "football all greatest" player. His performance improves year-on-year. He is even not at his peak yet but all records have been broken.
Simply uncomparable.
simply d best ever, even pele himself have confirmed it but is only putin his argument on messi scoring 1260 goals as he did, forgoting dat we are in a more tactically, technically organised game than wen he was playing.a weekend without watching him play is too boring.
Hey, pedro are you afraid of messi fans? Write what you should write without fear. we are here to back you up when they run their mouth. Pedro is an excellent sports writer no one should put pressure on him. Rember no one owns the media. Put you ego's down you all who accuse pedro pinto. He give a world class and cutting edge articles. Keep up pedro you are the best. you are even better than messi!!!
Messi is beg by players like di maria, tevez, sergio aquero, gonzalo higuien, (all current or former cr7 teammates except for aquero) and messi in between as the out to out skriker. Wow anyone can do that. Lets see what happens in 2014 wc. cause cr7 has created history with these players. If messi wins the world cup he will be the greatest ever. as for cr7 he does great with them or without them. For eg 2004 euro (finalist), 2006 wc (semi finalist), 2012 euro (semifinalist). Records speaks for this portugese.
Cr7 is a one man team, the goal machine, the black horse of the game and the most complete footballer to ever play the game. I have nothing but respect and honor for him.
Keep it up pppppppppppeeeeeeeeddddddrrooooo pppppppppppppiiiiiiiiiiinnnntttttttttttttooooooooooo
pedro!! Pedro!! Pinto!! Pinto!! Pedro!! Pinto!! Pedro pinto!!!!
Its fantastic that someone as young as Messi who knows how to play soccer really good which lets us look in the future that as he grows up he might be able to go beyond professional if there is such thing. He can be our role model where we can achieve more/better than he achieved if you have got the motivation.
Indeed the imperious,peerless,brilliant ,majestic King LIONEL MESSI will come of age come Brasil 2014.He will definitely show up in Brazil turning in scintillating performances all the way to the pinnacle of World football.Lionel Messi is destined to scale the pantheon of World Football legends by leading Argentina to the holygrail at Brasil 2014.
Messi has proven beyond doubt to be the best player ever.he may have not won the world cup with Argentina but he has the best individal talent
Messi plays soccer really good, better than Ronaldo.
Q. Prove and derive from fact that ronnie is better than messi.
Solution:- What a dissapointment messi and maradona was in 2010 world cup. Im ashamed. In 2010 world cup gonzalo higuien performance was better than messi, lets admit it. Now, as you can see ronnie is way better than higuien.
Therefore, from the above fact and performance we can conclude that cr7 is better than messi.
Hence prove.
The formula is called cr7 by messi = g.h
Is messi the best player of all time?
No. Messi is not even the best player of his time.
Numbers of goals scored by messi in 2010 wc = 0(zero)
you see messi is a shame. No body in their right mind should say that messi is the best player of all time, when pele has won 3 wc, ronaldo of brazil has led his country to wc finals twice, winning in one and scoring a world record of 15 goals in the other. I havn't seen maradona or pele as im only 19 yrs old. If we clam that messi is the best of all what will the future generation claim? They will simply claim without facts to support them that their player are the best because messi who is a zero for his country is a hero in the history. You see, something is not right if we are to say messi as the best without a wc title.
Maradona is a fraud he should be in handball not in football. If maradona's hand ball was not counted as a goal england might have won the wc ( by the way england is my favourite team). Looking back, i fell ashamed that there was a generation when wrong and fault was praised a 'hand of god', writing the names in the book of history.
To me pele is the gratest followed by ronaldo9 and ronaldo7.
messi always the best .but we will not forget the brazelian star before RONALDO and the french algerian zidan
Messi vs Ronaldo and its Messi who should come out on top AND THATS IT...
Enough of this nonsense (as of yet) that he is the greatest of all.
Right now he is on par with Puskas,Di Stefano, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Platini. Getting closer to Maradona. But sorry Pele is a little way up.
By the it wasnt Pele's fault that he happened to be playing for Brazil at the time of great players such as Didi, Vava, Garrincha, Jairzinho, Rivelino etc. That he was clearly above them was apparent. And despite them having many great players (as so sacastically pointed out by a few know-nots) when Pele was fouled out of the world cup in England (1966) – where he was constantly targeted by Hungarian and Bulgarian players – Brazil crashed out in the first round.
Messi's a legend already – no doubts about that – as were the other greats mentioned BUT he is most definitely NOT the greatest. He has, significantly, failed to deliver at the level expected of "the greatest player ever" at every world cup he's played in.
for bercelona,he is already,but i think is too early to compare him among the greatest ever,.all the greatest footballer ever have won the world and European trophies for there countries.
let him win the world cup first!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree Messi is a great player but Pele is the the greatest player of all time!
If you use the word "literally" it means that is actually what the subject is doing. Therefore, unless Messi is on the pitch shouting "give me the ball and I will do something with it." the author is mis-using the word "literally". Who is editing this stuff?
Messi is the best player since PELE but the Brazilin is and will always be the greatest.He has more World Cups and Will eventually still have the highest number of goals when its all said and done .So with all due respect to mr Messi ,only young kids who dont know the history of football will crown him as the Greatest.
what will be the age of C.RONALDO by 2014?
Pele , Di Stefano the best of all times
sure 🙂
Messi will not win a World Cup championship unless Argentina gets better players to support him.
Maradona had very talented players around him, who were much better players that their current squad or from the last WC tourney.
I agree with you LAWL.Puskas, Denis Law, Mosopust.still way ahead of him
With messi having won treble of the ballon dor in the past season , it has become hard for opinion to be in ronaldo's favor , the readers and critics are somewhat blinded by the wonders of messi that they forgot that for the period in question the most valuable player of the year in europe is cristiano Ronaldo and he alone simply deserves the award as encouragement , this lad have done the unthinkable against such a terrific group of players and team (barca), helped Madrid reclaim the league, there is a general agreement that Madrid and barca are the two best teams on the planet now , quite the reason why these awards often picks the finalist from the two teams, if this been the case, Ronaldo deserves it, I must however state that the judges has become rather obsessed with messi and cannot deem it proper to pick cr7 ahead, but rather choose a neutral person. Iniesta is a great player no doubt and deserves the award as well, but who deserves it most for this season I think is Ronaldo for the fact that he faced a great team like barca and came out tops.
2014 World Cup is crucial for the Messi CV. An Argentine win in Brazil is all that is required for Messi to be considered the greatest footballer of all time. Till then we have to wait. Pele, Maradona et al will certainly appreciate our patience. Wishing Leo all the best in his footballing craft.
messi is nothing without Xavi and Iniesta, ZIZOU forever!!
Hello guys :i want you to know that messi is the best of all and i love him
Pele and Maradona won a world cup! Ask this stupid question when Messi wins one and then I can make my argument.
It is so@
Nex day argentian win by brazil
Well, Messi is an amazing player and a great finisher, probably the best player in action right now, there is no question about it. However, to name him the best player of all time is either ignorance about other players from the past, or a lack of understanding of the game. If you are under 25, Messi is probably the best player you have ever seen in your lifetime. However, if you are over 40 or 50, there is no question who the best player of all time is. In order to be named the best player ever, the player in question needs to be able to shoot efficiently with both legs, have a powerful header, have skills that surpass all the other players, have a 360 degree view of the game, think in a millisecond on what his next move is going to be, know how to mark and defend when necessary, and last but not least, win a few world cups for his home country. There is only player that fits that all that criteria, and I think we all know who that is. In 1958, at the tender age of 17, he won his first world cup by bringing the world to his knees after scoring amazing goals, two of them in the final. In 62, he played the first two matches and then got injured on the third match. In 1970 surrounded by the best football team ever, he once again was crowned the king, after spectacular performances in every single match. Every year his team, Santos, used to play in several tournaments in Europe, and they would win every single match against the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Benfica, and other great teams of that time. People wonder what he would be worth nowadays. If Messi is worth over 100 million euros, he would probably be worth around 200-300 million euros easily.
How many times are you going to interview Jose Mourinho? Every year? If I am not mistaken, you interviewed him last year as while, is he the only coach in the world? Can't you find other coaches to interview or is your support for your compatriots too much to resist?
The best of all time? Why not Johan Cruyff, far more influential than any other player:
– There is a Holland before and after Cruyff (actually, there wasn't much of a Holland before him, as it happens)
– There is a Barcelona before and after Cruyff
– By extension of the latter, there even is a Spain before and after him.
This simply cannot be said of any other player. Brazil before or after Pele? Argentina before and after Maradona?
The only comparable achievement is Maradona in 86, as I don't think there is anybody that would think they would have won the world cup without him, not even close.
I would like to see how he does outside of Barca before we can talk about wether or not he is the "best player of all time" remember those guys called Pele and Maradona? I think it is an insult to them to call Messi best player of all times. I think he still has ways to go...Win the WC twice, move to another club and win the UEFA with them then move to another club and win the UEFA with them. then I would say he is the best player of all times. today: noooooooway jooooooseeeee!....
Best of all time ??? Although, I am a Barca fan, I really think he is not there yet... What I think is happenning is that everything seems to be twisted...What FIFA and UEFA should do is to give all the awards at the end of each season. Then, everything will become much clearer.
Messi has been the best player in the world on his position for the last 4 to 5 years, however, I dont think that he has been the one that has been the best palyer on the last 4 to 5 seasons. The best player in the world does not necessarily have to receive the award at the end of the season...the award has to go to the player who has played the best during a particular season. So, let us now bring facts:
I dont believe that someone can come and tell me that Iniesta was not the player who deserved the award in 2010. Who had a better season than him ??? After him, shold have been Sneidjer, who besides Iniesta had a great season in 2010 (he won everything but the world cup which he reached the final, plus was a leader for club and country). This does not mean that they were ever better than Messi, but they definitely had better seasons. Same mistake happened when Zidane received his 3rd title, instead of Luis Figo. FiFA then realised the mistake on the following year and to make up, they gave the award to Figo, instead of Thierry Henry, who had definitely been the best player on this same season.
So, I say yes, Ronaldo had a better season in 2011 to 2012 and so he should get the awards for best player, however I think that Messi is better than him. Unfortunately he did not have a better season (titles)...you need a team...your input into a a victorious team should be key. For Messi to start being considered as the best, I really think that he should prove himself out of BARCA, where he has one of the greates squad of all time and also make Argentina win titles or at least go far in competitions like Copa America and World Cup..Lead them, like Zidane, Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff did for their respective countries as well as for clubs...HOW CAN THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME GO TO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND COME OUT WITH ZERO GOALS NAD ZERO ASSISTS ??? HOW ?? I am sorry it is not acceptable..If he does magic at BARCA, the please do it for Argentina...You go to Argentina and say that Messi is better than Maradona, they will laugh at you...because they know the pressure that you have when you are playing for a country...it is no the same as for club...See what CR7 had to go through when he started badly in the Euro 2012...many would have just fallen, however, as a leader he picked up and took Portugal into the SEMIS...could Messi have done it ?? With people from other countries chanting Ronaldo's name to him, after a miss shot...uuuhhhmmm...dont think so...so He is not the best of all time for me !!!!
nothing much you've said about messi...
pedro – – you are indeed pro cristiano ronaldo... hahaha
messi's already been accorded 3 world footballer of the year honors! hmmmmmmmmm
LIONEL MESSI . IN THE HISTORY OF FUTBOL . BEST PLAYER . HE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIMES . NO ONE LIKE HIM.
Both player are great considering the skills they have and display on the pitch(off-the pitch that's a diff issue). Football has changed over time and the footballers have had to adapt in their ever changing environment.
Comparisons between Maradona/Pele/Messi/CR7 wont wash ALL of them were/are excellent footballers during their times and we can only compare footballers playing at the same time and especially when playing against each other (all factors held constant).For what its worth Messi is a well-rounded player than CR7 however CR7 has improved a-lot and has become more consistent. To be the best player , other team members play a critical role (TEAM make who you are).If CR7 is selfish then of-course it eventually work against the overall TEAM spirit.
Finally both Messi & CR7 are talented and they have a desire to excel and improve themselves everyday. They must encourage their TEAM to follow on the same path and they can both become the greatest players during our generation.I rest my case.
Lionel Messi has already proved that he is playing much better than the legends he has before him. Even if he doesn't win world cup, nobody can deny he is still the greatest player ever.Winning World best player award three years in a row is not something easy in an era where you class players like Ronaldo behind you. Ronaldo is world class and great player and he would have won alot of individual awards if he did not have Messi in front of him. So from this point we can see how great Messi is.
to compare Ronaldo vs Messi looks so injustice with Messi because he is right there to be compared with likes of Mardona and Pele and as far as I know nobody has ever talked to compare Ronaldo with those two legends.
Messi will have a very good world cup in 2014 as he has matured ten times better than he was in last world cup.
What Messi has accomplished many great soccer haven't in their entire career. The guy is 25 and has another 7 good years ahead of him. Pele played bums most of his life that's why he has so many goals. Maradona is the only guy that Messi compares to except I believe Messi is better and will make better history. CR7 is awesome but needs more humbleness.
Messi is angel sent by God to break humanbeing record(like maradona,pele,gerd muller and so on,even delima ronaldo only win world cup but no champions league and he was still consider amongst the legend and when those legend were plaing we say no body can ever be like them again but here is messi lion sent by God to silent those ignorace and making people know that only God has no replacement.so lets give thanks to God that messi was sent during our generation and not been read or told but withness it.no one of us see Jesus but we read from bible, to GOD BE THE GLORY THAT I WITHNESS MESSI's regn and have so many or so much to say or tell the next generation.i bought all messi video clips to show to my children and grand-children messi is the best ever football player of history,at 25 if he decided not to play again he is still the greates
Is the best of all time ? Ridiculous. How many Beethoven or Shakespeare were there ? Of course one, so PELE is and will be unique forever. The rest....is the rest. It's over.
Pardon me to say you are pretending sir, CR7 has never won anything for his country ( I can't remember any) Messi has 2 ( under 21 & olympic gold). Let's commend the lion & be truthful for once.
if any1 thinks that messi the greatest of all time then they are mad,brazalian ronaldo was way way better,just watch the videos
had better dribbling,positioning,off the ball,and finishing..also much quicker(pre injuries).
Both player tend to be brilliant considering your own skills It offers ALONG WITH display on the pitch(off-the pitch that's the diff issue). Football is rolling out a lot more than date along with the footballers have had for you to adapt within it is ever changing environment.
Comparisons between Maradona/Pele/Messi/CR7 wont wash many involving them were/are superior footballers while in it is times ALONG WITH i will certainly single compare footballers playing with the same date ALONG WITH especially As soon as playing against each some other (all factors kept constant).For what their worth Messi is usually a well-rounded player in comparison with CR7 however CR7 features improved a-lot AS WELL AS may be extra consistent. to help end up being your own Least difficult player , additional section members play a significant role (TEAM make exactly who anyone are).If CR7 is actually selfish then of-course The idea eventually work against ones total division spirit.
Finally both Messi & CR7 tend to be talented ALONG WITH they have a desire to be able to excel ALONG WITH improve themselves everyday. They must encourage it\'s department to help follow on a single path ALONG WITH they can both always be your current most significant players while in MY OWN generation.I rest OUR case.