Is Barcelona one of the best soccer teams of all time?

[Siddhartha Arya]

People are getting angry on Barca for drawing just one game. That shows their high standards of game. But Barca has drawn too many away games in current La Liga and also didn't manage to win against Milan in home game of champions league so wait for the second half of the season.

[allin1]

People are getting angry on Barca for drawing just one game. That shows their high standards of game. But Barca has drawn too many away games in current La Liga and also didn't manage to win against Milan in home game of champions league so wait for the second half of the season.

maybe more and more teams are able to defend against them. they can beat Real and other teams that have a go and open up, but it seems it's getting harder for them to break the teams that park the buss and play like they have 10 defenders on the pitch.

[horja1]

You either love or hate their style. All I know is Leo Messi is probably the best pure goal scorer I have ever seen. Guy doesn't play but 35 minutes or so today and nets two goals in the Copa Del Rey. Guy falls out of bed in the morning and scores goals, might be the best of all times.

he could win countless Champions League trophies and Spanish League titles, but if Argentina (with him on the field) will not win a World Cup he will never even be considered for "the best of all times" - both Pele and Maradona won the World Cup.

[Daveyboy]

They're the best in my lifetime. Even if their defence is weakish, their dominance in possession and attacking ability wins them the majority of their matches.

Yes, there has been a ridiculous amount of cheating in big games to bring them their success, but their consistency in the Champions League over the past few years is like no other.

[Daveyboy]

he could win countless Champions League trophies and Spanish League titles, but if Argentina (with him on the field) will not win a World Cup he will never even be considered for "the best of all times" - both Pele and Maradona won the World Cup.

I disagree. Football's changed since the day's Pele and Maradona were scoring against amateurs, part-timers, fatty's etc. They were great against weaker opposition. Weaker both skillfully and tactically. Even if Messi does not win a World Cup, he's the greatest of all time in my eyes.

[horja1]

I disagree. Football's changed since the day's Pele and Maradona were scoring against amateurs, part-timers, fatty's etc. They were great against weaker opposition. Weaker both skillfully and tactically. Even if Messi does not win a World Cup, he's the greatest of all time in my eyes.

He is a exceptional player, no doubt about it, but don't forget that Barcelona has a lot of good and great players around Messi and these players make him look even better than he really is ... the lack of such players in Argentina's team is the only explanation for his low performace for Argentina, because it affects him in two ways: no one is playing for him and, in my opinion, he knows that and it affects his confidence

[sportfan]

Zidane > Messi

[RubberKettle]

Zidane > Messi

My favorite player ever.

[justin81]

it's not only about being marked heavier when they play for their national teams. Messi gets put in a different position when he wears his Argentina colors, and is asked to create chances with his passing ability as opposed to being the pure striker that he is for Barcelona. The thing that makes Messi so great even for Argentina is how well he passes the ball unselfishly. It's not his fault his countrymen can't put the ball in the net as well as he can.

It's true that Messi doesn't show his full potential on national team, but I don't understand that entire fuss about it. CR7 doesn't show anything special on his national team, but nobody says anything. It's just Messi set so high standards that people want him to play 110% every game, every time.
And what is the most important imo, I really think that something is going on inside the Argentinian team among players. They just don't want to say it out loud, but I think someone will speak up one day what was going on for real. The players they have, especially attacking side (Messi, Tevez, Hugain, Augero, Denis, Pastore, Lavezzi) is a amazing firepower. However, they cannot come up with goals. Either they need a strong coaching personality to to get hold off the team, or there is an internal conflict between some players.

[Ace_of_Spades]

Zidane > Messi

Not a chance.

[Ace_of_Spades]

You couldn't say Real Madrid are the best team at the moment, cos they can't beat Barcelona. So Barcelona are still the best team.

[brunofortes]

barcelona and real madrid are, by far, the best team in the world.

barcelona is still better, tho !

[zeron]

It's true that Messi doesn't show his full potential on national team, but I don't understand that entire fuss about it. CR7 doesn't show anything special on his national team, but nobody says anything. It's just Messi set so high standards that people want him to play 110% every game, every time.
And what is the most important imo, I really think that something is going on inside the Argentinian team among players. They just don't want to say it out loud, but I think someone will speak up one day what was going on for real. The players they have, especially attacking side (Messi, Tevez, Hugain, Augero, Denis, Pastore, Lavezzi) is a amazing firepower. However, they cannot come up with goals. Either they need a strong coaching personality to to get hold off the team, or there is an internal conflict between some players.

Dont give Messi such a big credit. He doesnt do big things with Argentina coz Xavi and Iniesta aren't there. He might be a good player but with those 2 midfielders anybody would appear to be good. Sure he is a good player but the best? For me it's Xavi; he is good and he shows it in Barcelona and in his National Team too. There is no doubt Real Madrid and Barcelona are the best teams in the world. Who is better? I think they are at the same level. Maybe Barcelona a bit better but the way referees ref the games is pretty suspicious and that it usually ends up being a 10 vs 11. Now it seems that this is stoping as Xavi himself said yesterday ("the refs might used to be more on our side. this not seems to be like this anymore").

[Wiesnak]

He is a exceptional player, no doubt about it, but don't forget that Barcelona has a lot of good and great players around Messi and these players make him look even better than he really is ... the lack of such players in Argentina's team is the only explanation for his low performace for Argentina, because it affects him in two ways: no one is playing for him and, in my opinion, he knows that and it affects his confidence

the only explanation is that the script hasnt been favouring argentina

[Digo]

yes, for sure!

[chinaski]

except occasional wins, the only teams can beat them at the moment are spain and germany national teams

[corgon]

I agree Barca rules

[Ace_of_Spades]

This kid Tello is going to be somthing special.

[Monte]

Best since i started watching soccer, just like Spain are the best i saw.
Sure there are famous brazil national teams etc, but i never saw ball control in this perfection..be it Barca or Spain.

[truebluebear]

- BARCELONA are mighty impressive and without doubt they are the best CLUB SIDE I have seen in my 54 years , i was a great fan of the total football of AJAX in the 70's and I must admit I didnt expect to see their performances bettered but Barca just edge it -- The great BRAZIL side of the Mexican World Cup in 1970 is for me the only other football side which could be argued to have been as good as if not better than the present Barcelona team , they were truly wonderful to watch and although there is a huge difference between club and International football I just feel privileged to have seen all these teams at their best . good Q , GL Troops !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ace_of_Spades]

I have to see Barcelona live before this run ends.

[sneakerhead]

I have to see Barcelona live before this run ends.

I saw them in Miami when they played against Chivas, they only played with a few starters and ended up losing the game 4-1 but it was pretty cool being at the game. I actually had really good seats since it wasn't a big game and caught the first goal by Villa on camera, I saw the second goal by Chivas form right in front of me as well but couldn't catch it on camera. Let me see if I can find the pics, there were some fine chicks there

[sneakerhead]

Here are some pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66020004@N08/

[Ace_of_Spades]

That was back when Villa was awesome. Chivas were really good, some of those goals are superb.

[Stifler]

The great BRAZIL side of the Mexican World Cup in 1970 is for me the only other football side which could be argued to have been as good as if not better than the present Barcelona team , they were truly wonderful to watch and although there is a huge difference between club and International football I just feel privileged to have seen all these teams at their best .

so u think in a head to head match the brazil team would have a pretty good chance to beat barcelona? Rly, if any team from that age would face barcelona today they would get crushed like there is no tomorrow.

Oh and yes, barcelona is the best team of all time, no doubt. And messi is the best player ever, no matter if he wins a world cup or not, this guy is a pure beast, same counts for cr7.

[FourLengthsClear]

so u think in a head to head match the brazil team would have a pretty good chance to beat barcelona? Rly, if any team from that age would face barcelona today they would get crushed like there is no tomorrow.

Oh and yes, barcelona is the best team of all time, no doubt. And messi is the best player ever, no matter if he wins a world cup or not, this guy is a pure beast, same counts for cr7.

Of course they would but that is not a fair comparison.
In all sports, players are fitter, faster, stronger and better coached than they were 40 years ago.

You can only compare relative to their peers.

[yisman]

Its difficult to say if Barcelona will win everything again this year, but they are the favorites.

The clear favorites.

[FourLengthsClear]

The clear favorites.

+380 to win La Liga.
-280 to win the Copa del Rey
+154 to win the Champions League

[truebluebear]

so u think in a head to head match the brazil team would have a pretty good chance to beat barcelona? Rly, if any team from that age would face barcelona today they would get crushed like there is no tomorrow.

Oh and yes, barcelona is the best team of all time, no doubt. And messi is the best player ever, no matter if he wins a world cup or not, this guy is a pure beast, same counts for cr7.

Well game is all about opinions m8 and I gave mine - On the Messi angle , he is a wonderful talent but debatable if greatest of all time - do you know that Messi loses possession MORE than any other player in La Liga ( Surprised me that fact too !!) but yes got too see him and Barca live at Ibrox 2008 and he and his club are special !!!!! Stay Lucky Guys !!!

[yisman]

+380 to win La Liga.
-280 to win the Copa del Rey
+154 to win the Champions League

clear

[Nova99]

Zidane > Messi

Zidane at Euro 2000 and the years around that at the club level was the absolute best individual performer. if we are talking individual play, Zidane has no equal in changing the game on his own.

Messi fits perfectly into the Barcelona system, which is really hard to replicate without the right set of players. So you really just have to enjoy this team while you can, no guarantee the next generation of players can be as good, especially in the midfield.

[Monte]

ppl always talking about Messi, while the best player is Iniesta...

[Ace_of_Spades]

ppl always talking about Messi, while the best player is Iniesta...

No doubt he is awesome.

[klingonian]

All the players from Barca's team are good, as for possesion of the ball I haven't seen lately a game where they had under 60%, in yesterday's game (Bayer Leverkusen -Barcelona) possesion was 25% Beyer, 75% Barca (Bayer possession was made only by their goalkeeper )

[mhille]

yesir