The great Messi plays today, enjoy!

**Allure** · 12-09-22, 12:19 PM

Messi is indeed the greatest.... for all that didn't/couldn't watch Maradona back in the day.

**Thrilla** · 12-09-22, 12:21 PM

Let's bet with our hearts and not our heads. I like it.

**lakerboy** · 12-09-22, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by Allure

Messi is indeed the greatest.... for all that didn't/couldn't watch Maradona back in the day.

Maradona singlehandedly carried Argentina to a world Cup. Messi pretty much has to do that here. ( Albeit he has some good players in this roster it's not that great)

**Allure** · 12-09-22, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by lakerboy

Maradona singlehandedly carried Argentina to a world Cup. Messi pretty much has to do that here. ( Albeit he has some good players in this roster it's not that great)

Even if Messi does that, I can't mention him in the same sentence as Maradona. Most of the people who do never saw Maradona play, probably too young or didn't grow up with football. And yes, it's football not soccer. Anyhow, not only did Maradona win the World Cup singlehandedly but he also won the Italian championship and UEFA cup with Napoli, that were utter horse shit back in the day. He singlehandedly carried the entire team for years. Messi never did that. Also the way Maradona played football was just different to Messi. Football was played way way differently in the 80s-90s-even early 00s. All the hard tackles and kicks Maradona received, Messi woulda died on the field, given todays athletes are made of porcelain.

**miaplus3** · 12-09-22, 03:36 PM

“I was a big fan of Maradona growing up and of the current crop Ronaldo is good but Messi is the best I’ve ever seen. I don’t dish out praise lightly but Messi deserves it. I look for weaknesses in his game and I can’t find them.”

Laliga player

**franz555** · 12-09-22, 03:57 PM

MESSI

**trobin31** · 12-09-22, 04:27 PM

If Messi was on cocaine like Maradona he would be u stoppable

**slayer14** · 12-09-22, 05:10 PM

Legend and class he has

**JayLA** · 12-09-22, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by trobin31

If Messi was on cocaine like Maradona he would be u stoppable

that's a really great point. Maradona was high as hell back then , even on the pitch

**franz555** · 12-09-22, 05:54 PM

A few years ago , members from my Burlington City soccer club got together for a few pints at our buddies pub. After a few the question was posed " who is the greatest of all time ". There were approximately 15 to 20 of us , and the vast majority said Pele without hesitation. Cryuff and Maradona got a nod , but Messi was the #2 guy on the list.
Just my 2 cents , but I consider Pele to rank among the greatest athletes of all time. Jordan , Gretzky , Bolt , Brady.....

**lakerboy** · 12-09-22, 06:07 PM

Pele was good but he didn't really play in any European league facing the great players that the rest on the list did. Pele played with some of the greatest players to ever touch a ball as well. I give Maradona the most credit. He played with hard working average players for the most part. He was abused on the pitch as well.

So many great players though so it's good for us fans to watch. Messi is magical. That pass on the first goal was incredible.

**eidolon** · 12-09-22, 07:19 PM

Messi couldn't have played in the 1950s; back then they didn't give steroids to midgets so they could be normal boys.

**eidolon** · 12-09-22, 07:24 PM

Rene Higuita is the greatest ever

**jjgold** · 12-09-22, 07:30 PM

All you need to know Messi and Rinaldo two of the most influential people on the entire planet

**k13** · 12-09-22, 08:43 PM

Garbage as always. Refs giving free penalties so they can gift him a win.
120 mins and can't score a real goal.

**lakerboy** · 12-09-22, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by k13

Garbage as always. Refs giving free penalties so they can gift him a win.
120 mins and can't score a real goal.

Still crying? You just hate for no reason. Incredible pass to set up the first goal. You aren't a soccer fan.

**franz555** · 12-09-22, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by lakerboy

Pele was good but he didn't really play in any European league facing the great players that the rest on the list did. Pele played with some of the greatest players to ever touch a ball as well. I give Maradona the most credit. He played with hard working average players for the most part. He was abused on the pitch as well.

So many great players though so it's good for us fans to watch. Messi is magical. That pass on the first goal was incredible.

Google : Who is the greatest soccer player of all time

PELE is the answer

6 Brazilian Championships
10 Paulista "
2 Copa Lib's
3 FIFA World Cups 1958 ( 17yrs old ) 1962 , 1970 ( NO OTHER PLAYER HAS 3 )
7 B'allon D'or
Brazil player of the century
WORLD player of the century

He was deemed a National Treasure and committed to playing only in Brazil until his record signing with the NY Cosmos in 75

I could continue , but i feel as though this generation should take the time to watch old footage of his World Cup games to appreciate how he excelled against the worlds best, on the biggest stage. And no , all 3 teams had different players whom HE MADE better.

**lakerboy** · 12-10-22, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by franz555

Google : Who is the greatest soccer player of all time

PELE is the answer

6 Brazilian Championships
10 Paulista "
2 Copa Lib's
3 FIFA World Cups 1958 ( 17yrs old ) 1962 , 1970 ( NO OTHER PLAYER HAS 3 )
7 B'allon D'or
Brazil player of the century
WORLD player of the century

He was deemed a National Treasure and committed to playing only in Brazil until his record signing with the NY Cosmos in 75

I could continue , but i feel as though this generation should take the time to watch old footage of his World Cup games to appreciate how he excelled against the worlds best, on the biggest stage. And no , all 3 teams had different players whom HE MADE better.

The 1958 and 1962 teams were very similar and the top guys were all still together. I'm not denying him anything but I'm sorry I can't put him top because he didn't play in the European Leagues and you know they were and are the best Leagues in the world.

Also you are saying he made the others better but that goes both ways. Zero chance that he would do what he did with the guys Messi has had. It's pretty fair to say that Messi has had the worst flock of players Argentina produced in the last 16 years. Riquelme was a midfield maestro and they had batistuta just before Messi came on to the scene. Imagine messi and batigol? The Argentina 2006 squad IMO was the best team they have had in the last 35 years but they got unlucky in Berlin because of bad coaching.

Vava
Didi
Garrincha
Mario Zagalo

Those were legendary players. They HELPED free up space for Pele.

Pele can be best compared with Wayne Gretzky. Dominating with a stacked squad.
The Oilers still won without him.

I would rather have had Maradona. The single most skilled individual ever to grace a pitch.

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 12-10-22, 05:19 AM

franz, evaluate Ronaldinho Gaucho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pynDvIsLoU0

In L30 years, my $$ is on Ronaldinho as most creative player. Notice all the "walls" using a body to lay on the ground? I think it's to counter the Ronaldinho technique of rolling it in under the wall.

**franz555** · 12-10-22, 05:46 AM

Originally posted by ChuckyTheGoat

franz, evaluate Ronaldinho Gaucho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pynDvIsLoU0

In L30 years, my $$ is on Ronaldinho as most creative player. Notice all the "walls" using a body to lay on the ground? I think it's to counter the Ronaldinho technique of rolling it in under the wall.

No denying his skill. Loved watching him play , and he did it all with a smile on his face

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 12-10-22, 09:10 AM

Thank your, franz, salud. Ronnie was so good.

Would like to know if he was shooting vs ENG in 2002. It actually looked like a shot to me.

**miaplus3** · 12-10-22, 09:59 AM

The thing about Messi to me, that is most remarkable, if you were to see him out in public he just looks like a regular guy. Small, unassuming. But, my God, when he gets on the pitch he is a savant. From out of nowhere these sublime runs and passes. He might be out of the action for 20 minutes then the magic will happen. I have never seen anything like it. There are certainly more athletic players in the past, but pound for pound I put Messi at the top of Mount Olympus.