If Messi hadnt competed in the same era as Ronaldo, he would probably be sitting on at least 10 Ballon D'ors. Which is worth bearing in mind. Dunno how many Maradonna would have had if it wasn't only for europeans back then.
Lionel Messi | PSG Watch
- Thread starter Samid
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If Messi hadnt competed in the same era as Ronaldo, he would probably be sitting on at least 10 Ballon D'ors. Which is worth bearing in mind. Dunno how many Maradonna would have had if it wasn't only for europeans back then.
Would still only be a testament to his longevity. To me that's not that relevant when talking about the best in history. For example, I don't think Ronaldinho is any worse because he only maintained his best level for a few seasons. Maradona was ridiculously good as well. He belongs to a very small set of players I find really hard to rank against each other when seeing footage of them in full flight (Messi, Maradona, Pele, R9 for me).
I would say prime Maradona was a tier above prime Ronaldinho, as insane as that may sound. But this may sound even more insane; id say prime Messi is a tier or two above prime Maradona.
This is very true. If you watch footage of the '86 WC you can almost feel his presence and personality through the screen. He also did what was necessary for his team- he got actively involved and sought go carry his team through difficult moments.
This is pretty much the only black mark against Messi- he's overly passive. When Maradona faced adversity he turned into a terrier and imposed himself on the game whereas Messi often waits for the game to come to him.
I'm not saying that Maradona was necessarily the better player overall, but it's easy to see why he is more adored. He played the game with the intensity and passion that a fan in the stadium would.
Younger Messi was pretty dynamic.
Yeah but Messi never really was someone who could pick his team up in very rough time. He could score and be an example on the pitch but his leadership ability aren't spectacular.
Maradona was like Cantona in the way he carried himself on the pitch. He’d walk around with his chest puffed out and had an incredible aura about him. The opposition were beaten before they even left the tunnel and he made those around him feel like they could achieve anything. I don’t think either Ronaldo or Messi have those same qualities even if they can match his ability on the pitch.
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Another league one game and Messi still not finding any groove.
Time for a new update, PSG’s league form prior to Messi’s full league debut:
PSG’s goalscoring and points per game has gone down quite dramatically since Messi began starting games for them.
Now it’s dropped from 3 points per game to 2.25 points per game. And their goalscoring is down from 2.8 gpg to 1.83 gpg.
All of that means very little of course, they are not performing at all as a team, and some fixtures are of course easier than other, but individual quality has PSG top regardless. Today he had two new forward partners but still couldn’t get in the groove.
Individually though, he’s simply not doing anywhere near enough for a player of his ridiculous ability.
Time for a new update, PSG’s league form prior to Messi’s full league debut:
| Played | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 15 |
PSG’s goalscoring and points per game has gone down quite dramatically since Messi began starting games for them.
Now it’s dropped from 3 points per game to 2.25 points per game. And their goalscoring is down from 2.8 gpg to 1.83 gpg.
| Played | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 27 |
All of that means very little of course, they are not performing at all as a team, and some fixtures are of course easier than other, but individual quality has PSG top regardless. Today he had two new forward partners but still couldn’t get in the groove.
Individually though, he’s simply not doing anywhere near enough for a player of his ridiculous ability.
He's clearly very bored playing in French league, surprised they didn't do a deal where he just plays 1-2 games a month plus CL and then spends one week back at home in Barca unless his family have moved with him.
His family are with him. While perhaps his main focus is the NT, for what PSG are paying him, he has to do a lot more.
He doesn't have to do a lot more, all he has to do next year is show up for a few CL-matches, a few WC-matches and he will win another Ballon Dor.
Since psg isn’t generating anything, hes playing very deep and barely shooting.
that being said, he still had a chance that hit the post, he’s been unlucky with the finishing
And I also think he’s preserving himself for CL and the NT which is clearly his priority
that being said, he still had a chance that hit the post, he’s been unlucky with the finishing
And I also think he’s preserving himself for CL and the NT which is clearly his priority
And that’ll be fair if he shows up in the CL and WC
Its getting very strange for Messi in Ligue 1 isn't it. Its could still be explainable if he can't find his scoring touch yet. But avg 1.3 dribble per game in Ligue 1 this season is really shocking for him.
Maybe its a case of his legs are simply gone, since he is already 34? But I remember he topped everything in Copa literally just couple months ago. So maybe its case of him simply losing interest/motivation to perform in league football, especially its a farmers league?
Maybe its a case of his legs are simply gone, since he is already 34? But I remember he topped everything in Copa literally just couple months ago. So maybe its case of him simply losing interest/motivation to perform in league football, especially its a farmers league?
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I've always thought the same thing too. Out of all the players I've watched over the years, only Maradona and Cantona has that kind of aura/presense on the pitch.
Ballon Dor winner by the way
That’s even worse than Ronaldo was averaging last year across the entire season (no idea what his stats are this year).
But Messi has built such a reputation that even when he doesn’t score or assist and played poorly; people still assume he had a good game because they think he does these intangible things not reflected in stats.
He's aged like a fine Wayne Rooney. Cristiano is putting the debate to bed in the next 4 years while Messi's long retired
I’d say Ronaldo has that too. There’s always a feeling with Ronaldo of inevitability that something special is going to happen, in fact you’re more surprised when the script goes against him. There’s a reason Ronaldo has so many followers and is more adored than Messi and it’s because of his presence and charisma, easily up there with Maradona and Cantona.
Agree Ronaldo also has that auro, but its more of case of him being clutch and there's always a feeling of inevitability. While Maradona and Cantona is simply on another level for me, they have that simply with their chest up/collars up. Its like the opponents would shite themselves by their mere presence on the pitch.
and a well deserved one at that
One looks like a Greek sculpture, the other an office clerk.
If you think Ronaldo’s SNS followers don’t contain a big number of impressionable young lads who adore him for his physique/fashion style, you’d be wrong. I have in fact shared a house with someone who doesn’t have the first clue about football but watch RM game because he likes Ronaldo’s pecs.
The level of mental gymnastics Messi fans manage to come up with will never fail to amaze me.
He's not bored, he's past it.
Are you sure? I will requote that post in a couple of months if you are still around
adored more than Messi? not in the football world.. Players, managers by far (even some of Ronaldo's ex-teammates) say Messi is better. If you are talking about social media power, this is the type of environment where people with good physique can make serious money with tons of followers nowadays, welcome to 2020s, the influencer era, never ever in history looks have been that important as a status determinant especially for men than today's world. It does not matter whether you have a shallow personality or not. If Maradona played today, he would definitely not have as many followers due to his not so attractive physique..I also find it laughable to say that Ronaldo has similar charisma to Maradona or Cantona who are natural born leaders and have not shown fakeness or insecurity over their careers unlike Ronaldo.. Charisma is not equal to good looks..
Also, the script went against Ronaldo many times in the most critical games only in the last few months let alone the previous seasons, you can ask City, Liverpool, Watford or Serbia fans..
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It's really not that hard to see why he's not doing well if you watch the games. He's not massively declined or bored, psg are just not playing well. They are all very disconnected. I've said it before but every player in psg is playing worse than they were before Pochettino came. Except maybe Mbappe. Messi will be back to being the best player on the pitch whenever Pochettino starts making the team click or when he gets sacked for someone better.
The debate was never going to be decided on who can outlast who at retirement age
It's a numbers game at this point for the two.
Numbers game is over with Messi's 7th Ballon D'or (record), 6 golden balls (record), 4 iffhs best playmaker awards (record), 6 La Liga best player awards (record) in 9 years when Ronaldo was with Real, 4 international tournament MVP awards, a record (WC 2014, Copa 2015-2021, Olympics 2008) as well as having better goals despite being a playmaker. Talentwise, there has never been a comparison, Ronaldo is no match for Messi..
Not going to get into a debate about who is better now but when it comes to hunger and motivation, it's not a contest.
Or adaptability.
He doesn't care about PSG or Ligue 1. Will probably try to step up in last 2-3 months of this season but who knows what will happen.
Messi at PSG is boring. Please do something.
The only thing that Messi is proving right now is that CR7 is the goat. Messi was great at Barca, but CR7 was great in England, Spain and Italy. Messi is struggling to cut it in France. Hell, I would make it in France if I was in a front line with M'Bappe and Neymar
There miles top of the league so messi will feel he doesn’t have to perform and won’t be motivated as they’ve already won the league..: you’ll see in the champions league though he’ll start playing better, especially in the knockouts. Messi will want to win the CL more then anything with PSG so everyone will be saying they’ve finally won it the year messi joined.
Becoming obvious that Messi and PSG are being carried by Wijnaldum at this stage.
He was really static in their last game vs City.
I wish he went to Italy.