Saw this on Twitter : "Ronaldo is a footballer created by scientists, Messi a footballer created by artists" A fair summary? Ronaldo has the power and physical attributes whilst Messi is all skill and flair in terms of his technical play .
I think there have been number of players as naturally talented as Ronaldo. A player like Di Maria springs to mind. Ronaldo has become one of the best ever through obsessive determination and hard work. Messi was phenomenal from the age of 7 or 8.
Ronaldo does some things that Messi can't (e.g. scoring towering headers) but Messi regularly does things no other player in the world could. He's on a completely different level for his understanding of the game.
Does anyone else not care in the slightest? Yes he is a great footballer, but I don’t understand the hysteria that existed for him to win the World Cup, who cares? Then again I hated his prime Barcelona team as they bored me to tears, so I’m probably not the best guide.
Unreal player, but at the end of the day, he’s just a boring bloke who’s unbelievable at football and really good at not paying taxes. I like my genius’s to be flawed and batshit mental, or preening egotistical maniacs.
How much of that is because of the language barrier? Then again I suppose Maradona transcended such trivialities...
Very much so. The nauseating genuflection towards Messi from all parts of the media was insufferable. Not as dreadful as FIFA or Beckham or of course the hideous event itself but enough to make you vomit.
Absolutely fine to feel this way. But you have to be equally prepared to not get all upset when people say similar things about the England team. Which you could also fit most of your post into.
I would say it’s pretty natural for the English media to want the England team to succeed, but bizarrely they were all too busy fellating themselves over Brazil and Argentina/Messi this time around. I’ve never heard Danny Murphy climax several times a game over any England player like he did every time Messi touched the ball.
Having been aware of the World Cup since 1966, I can tell you that the media have always been in awe of Brazil as though they were somehow magical. This has sometimes been justifiable but often not. Argentina, on the other hand have only been lauded when they more rarely have had a great team or a great individual, which is probably fair enough.
I wonder if Messi wasn’t so popular more would be said about this arrangement with the Saudis which has been long term and on going ? So much so that he will probably be the face of the Saudi bid for the 2030 World Cup where they will probably be up against his own country ! Even Ronaldo turned it down ( albeit maybe due to money reasons ?!) and a few moral questions might be asked .
Ronaldo played as a winger before a CF and he was just as deadly. He was doing great things no worse than Messi imo.
You'd be right in that regard. Hundreds of millions were willing him on. It's pretty sad that a player who steps into the top three of all time with Diego and Pele is castigated or seen as boring. He is the sort of player that comes around every thirty years or so. He's given enormous pleasure to millions, hope to others and excelled continually. He's never been an egotist either while at it. There was one prize eluding him which the dumb or Ronaldo fans like Piers Twit Morgan were bashing him with that he could not be compared to the other two because he had not won a World Cup. Well that's settled now. He played exceptionally well but it must be said di Maria is also an exceptional player and that Scaloni has done tremendous work off and on the pitch in getting Argentina into the position where Messi had his chance. Much as Bilardo did with a dysfunctional Argentina prior to 1986. It's an extremely well disciplined, tough as nails mentality allied to no little skill, far more youth and with that extra special ingredient. If there are any regrets then for a nation like Argentina it is compared to Pele taking three titles that Messi was poorly served in prior World Cups in 2006 where Pekerman made bizarre changes against Germany when he had a fantastic bench, 2010 when someone who has less coaching competence than me Maradona was put in charge, 2014 where injuries to di Maria, Aguero hampered the side under the late Sabella and 2018 which was an absolute shambles on and off the pitch. It's a fairy tale ending although I would not be surprised if he resurfaces at least for the next Copa in 2024 which is likely to be in the US with Ecuador pulling out as hosts and the addition of Mexico, Canada and the US to the tournament. And if he remains sharp a role as a super substitute in 2026.
Keep taking the medication. All the metrics show Messi miles clear of the egotist. There was never any debate even several years ago. I find it amazing that Cristiano is even in consideration aside from a deluded minority in the conversation with Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and Messi and the like as one of the greatest players. As Cruyff himself said there is a big difference between a great goalscorer and great player. Messi has been both. Eye of the needle assist for Molina against Holland. One of the photographs of the World Cup.
Great point . There are many great footballers who couldn't hit a barn door . And many Sunday morning footballers who were the fox in a box . Can you do both at the highest level ?
800 goals for the maestro including a free kick against Panama. Hardly the strongest of opponents but it was more a World Cup party for fans to celebrate although tens of thousands were outside the stadium unable to get tickets.
If you have not caught it already this is another programme from the Beeb on Messi. Beautifully shot, some terrific photographs too. BBC iPlayer - Lionel Messi: Destiny
