To be fair he'd been in poor form for a while by his standards. It was only a matter of time before he came good again though. He's just too good.
Lionel Messi
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To be fair he'd been in poor form for a while by his standards. It was only a matter of time before he came good again though. He's just too good.
Sadly, I wasn't able to watch the game live but I've got it on DVR. But Messi's exploits continue to amaze.
Is it safe, finally, for all of us to agree that Messi > Maradona? Or must we wait until Messi "wins a World Cup"?
Is it safe, finally, for all of us to agree that Messi > Maradona? Or must we wait until Messi "wins a World Cup"?
He hasn't been playing well. Just because he played brilliantly today doesn't erase the past month or so, where he was virtually non-existent in every game.
If poor form for him involves setting a record for consecutive La Liga games in which he'd scored, then Van Persie is Heskey. He'd been absolutely fine to be honest, but people will try to manipulate some 'off days' as poor form.
Nah, he gets goals pretty much every single game, but we're judging him by his own standards. His overall performances have been well below par for him, not been as involved as he was today, and only really pops up with a goal. Sort of like how everyone was saying Rooney was having a shite season last year despite getting 35 goals. Anyways, if Messi does nothing but score 1 goal every game, then its a very disappointing game for him. That's only because his normal level is so good.
Messi needs a brilliant showing at a World Cup to place him above Maradona. Player of the tournament, Argentina go deep into the tournament, then we're talking..
I think we should take a gamble on this lad.
Real deal IMO.
Real deal IMO.
Needs piss testing.
I must admit to not seeing much of Maradona but I find it hard to believe he was better than Messi, his all round game is superb and he's scoring between 60 and 70 goals a season and has been consistent for years now. Best ever in my opinion and It will probably be a long time until we get somebody reaching his level again. Once in a lifetime type of player.
No.
Absolutely not.
Needs to go to an Italian underdog and win Serie A too.
So what does he have to do to take a step up?
Needs to do it in the big games, not just little old Milan
He had a couple of very nice dribbles in this game though, one especially where there were four Milan players around him and he seemed to nutmeg all four of them and got away with the ball. Him and Iniesta were running and pressing all game; scrapping, fighting for every ball.
Even if you take away the goals, this was his best performance since December if I'm being honest (he had some notable moments against Málaga and Valencia in the cup, but other than that nothing above average). Reminded me a bit of that truly unplayable form he had back in March/April 2010 when he hit consecutive hat-tricks in the league and the four against Arsenal.
Hes so easily the difference between a very good team and an excellent one at Barca. I mean, Xavi and especially Iniesta are top midfielders, and Villa is a very good striker, but if they didnt have Messi I dont see how they would have advanced tonight. Messi created 2 goals single-handedly and automatically creates so much space for the rest of the offensive players just by being on the pitch.
He's going to beat Brazil in the final at the Maracana. It's just so obvious.
That first goal from Messi was on another level. Also a little reminder as to why he's the best in the world.
The Maradona comparisons are fairly pointless. Messi is probably the better player, but Maradona was more than just a player. It depends on your own personal weighting.
I had to rewind to watch it again. I blinked and missed it the first time around. Anyway what more can you say about, Messi? He can't be human. I haven't seen a more effortlessly ruthless player before.
He looked a lot more up for it tonight and it was his best performance in ages. Really was a fantastic way to come back to form.
As long as Iniesta and Fab are not on the wings Barca look like a great team. They simply folded Milan like a laptop.
That first goal is just genius.The space between the two defenders was small and getting smaller as both center backs moved to close him down but Messi's execution was just too quick
He was at his best today
That strike reminded me some what of Ronaldinho's at Stamford Bridge. The type to put fear in the hearts of men
So early in the game too
He is the best player ever, im sure he'll win the world cup too
The World Cup is irrelevant. By that logic no player from a small footballing nation can ever be 'the best', since his team will never progress in international competition.
Messi has dominated one of the two best leagues in the world for years, scoring more goals than anyone has ever scored before. Even Maradona wasn't as devastating. How does performance in a handful of games, once in 4 years, international TV bonanza outweigh that?
Messi has dominated one of the two best leagues in the world for years, scoring more goals than anyone has ever scored before. Even Maradona wasn't as devastating. How does performance in a handful of games, once in 4 years, international TV bonanza outweigh that?
The World Cup is irrelevant only to Eurocentric football snobs. Worldwide it is a great deal. The quality may not be as high as that of the Champions League, but it is recognized as THE pinnacle of football. To dismiss it is ignorant.
Now does Messi have to win the World Cup to be the best player? No, if he continues to dominate club football for a while then he'll be a lock in, regardless of his international exploits. If he continues to not perform at the internationals, then when he hangs up his boots questions shall be asked, as they are of any player that didn't perform, barring the odd star from a minnow nation (Best for example).
Now does Messi have to win the World Cup to be the best player? No, if he continues to dominate club football for a while then he'll be a lock in, regardless of his international exploits. If he continues to not perform at the internationals, then when he hangs up his boots questions shall be asked, as they are of any player that didn't perform, barring the odd star from a minnow nation (Best for example).
That doesnt really apply to Messi and Argentina though. Im not saying I agree or disagree with the fact that he has to win the WC to surpass Maradona but its one of the few things that can be used to compare the two as they play different roles and in different eras.
Wish this gif included the angle from Abbiatti's perspective, it was a virtually impossible strike
That goal just gets better every time you see it. It's perfection. You are talking about literally inches of space to work with there. His first touch to set it is deliberately a "chop" with the outside of his foot to get the ball slightly elevated from the ground.
The Brazilians will start a riot in the ground before they'd let Argentina win the WC at the Maracana...
this
they suffered a huge defeat against the uruguayans in 1950s world cup
they wont let that happen again
the only way i can see argentina winning it, is if brazil gets elminated by other team and they don't face us
He has scored in the last 18 games now. Will he score 100 in a year before he retires? I wouldn't put it past him.
I've always thought if Di Stefano has won the World Cup, he would be straight up there with Maradona and Pele for the no.1 spot, instead of just behind them for no.3.
Spot on
Wrong. If a player is from small nation, he won't be held to the same standard in international football as those from nations that can win world and continental cups with ease.
He will simply be judged on how well he played for his nation instead.
The bottom line is the world cup is what separates the greats from each other. Club football is a comfort zone for the best. For the best are largely placed in teams built around them, geared strictly for their success. In international football their own skills, ability to inspire and lead are tested much more. For they have to rely on their great array of skill and talent to get ahead with their teams.
PS: Maradona could never have been as devastating as Messi simply because he was never a center forward at any point in his career, nor did he have his game geared to getting goals as the main means to kill off opponents.
Very nice second goal from him last night.
A bit off topic, but what is the name of the commentator in the first video? Always wanted to ask this but I keep forgetting to ask. His saying are insane
http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/barcelona-vs-rayo-vallecano-3-1-highlights
A bit off topic, but what is the name of the commentator in the first video? Always wanted to ask this but I keep forgetting to ask. His saying are insane
http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/barcelona-vs-rayo-vallecano-3-1-highlights
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