Aguero injury is a silver lining for sure imo. Both Higuarin and Aguero isn't working. Lavezzi different to them, nifty and goes wide more naturally, those don't really want too it seems.
Messi at the World Cup - No Ronaldo comparisons!
- Thread starter amolbhatia50k
- Start date
He's really turning it on for them.
I think that first goal against Bosnia was a sense of relief which has enabled him to take it up a few notches.
I think that first goal against Bosnia was a sense of relief which has enabled him to take it up a few notches.
So it's true afterall that he was saving himself for the World Cup. There is no other explanation for the difference in form at this tournament and the end of last season. I think Argentina with an in form Messi is the only team that can prevent Brazil from lifting the trophy
He makes being ridiculously good so boring.
I genuinely don't understand how it's physically possible to be that good and that boring.
I genuinely don't understand how it's physically possible to be that good and that boring.
Because when you make scoring and the other things he does a regular thing you become robotic. There's no surprise and therefore no elation because it just happens.
That's why people hated Barça for so long because they removed the joy out of what they were doing.
Just a little aside because we're reaching the point in the tournament when some of these predictions are worth looking at again.
Before the WC started Marca ran one of their opinion polls. The results were:
Player of the tournament: Neymar (Messi in second)
Top scorer: Messi
Breakthrough player: Griezmann
The rationale I think was that Argentina weren't good enough as a team to get to the final, Brazil would and Neymar would get the credit, but that Messi would do most of the work for Argentina, for as long as they stayed in.
Before the WC started Marca ran one of their opinion polls. The results were:
Player of the tournament: Neymar (Messi in second)
Top scorer: Messi
Breakthrough player: Griezmann
The rationale I think was that Argentina weren't good enough as a team to get to the final, Brazil would and Neymar would get the credit, but that Messi would do most of the work for Argentina, for as long as they stayed in.
of course there's a reason, messi was still recovering from the psg injury last season at this point.
i think uruguay, if suarez isn't banned, have the strongest chance of challenging for the trophy.
So, wait a minute, if Messi guides this scrappy team to the finals, errm.. he matches Maradona, right? That whole one man team thing he did before with Napoli and Argentina.
i don't see the need for that hyperbole and neither should you. it degrades both of the players and is only the result of media.
He was never a one man team, Maradona had a competent Argentina side who could defend and play as a team. His Napoli side were also big spenders, fronted by the MaGiCa trio (Maradona, Giordano, Careca).
Individually they are great, with Messi on a different level but unless Barca change their system, I think they'll still struggle to get them both firing. But if...With this form for both Neymar and Messi, next year Barca would be something else..
Messi though. My god.
I know. But sadly, thats the way people compare players these days. Mostly without even seeing the two or their teams.
Lavezzi looks dangerous, in better form than Aguero. Higuain still looks shit.
Individually they are great, with Messi on a different level but unless Barca change their system, I think they'll still struggle to get them both firing. But if...
Messi though. My god.
System bound to change though (Xavi leaving will play a big part in change of strategy). I don't believe Lucho will play typical tiki taka, obviously they will always want to have possession of the ball.
Worst fears coming into focus now. Family, friends & coworkers giving me an earful if I cheer for Leo against Suisse in the knockouts. Of course, there's just the small matter of defeating a rough Honduras side first, then they get Leo.
I'm cheering for the Suisse but I can never cheer against Messi
I'm cheering for the Suisse but I can never cheer against Messi
He's a different class of player. There was this bit around the half way line where he had barely any time before the defender gets there and he somehow manages to lose him through his control and turn. And he's being doing things like that for ages. Brilliant.
As for Argentina, more cohesive for sure. But I still find it hard to see them winning this world cup. They were so easy to attack today. Also, no one else apart from messi looks like scoring. Higuain and aguero have been rubbish. On this form, I still can't see them getting last a quality side unless messi scores a hat trick.
As for Argentina, more cohesive for sure. But I still find it hard to see them winning this world cup. They were so easy to attack today. Also, no one else apart from messi looks like scoring. Higuain and aguero have been rubbish. On this form, I still can't see them getting last a quality side unless messi scores a hat trick.
I agree with everyone who said Lavezzi coming on for Aguero was a blessing in disguise. Also, I can't understand how Higuain lost so much pace recently. He used to be a quick player.
May work to their favour. I think Di Maria is going to be crucial if they do go the whole way. His pace and directness helps Messi greatly, and in fairness, none of the sides have looked defensively sound so far in the tournament, even Germany have looked a bit iffy and they have the all round best squad.
I can't wait till the knockouts start, Argentina Vs Brazil in the final would be epic just for the attacking threats of each side. Hopefully Aguero's injury isn't as serious as it looked.
4 goals in 3 matches, this could be Leo Messi's WC
It won't be his WC. Argentina are terrible, and I don't think Messi can take this squad far in the world cup.
They didn't really deserve to win any of their games, despite ending up winning all 3, especially considering how easy their group was.
If they face a smart and a good team (like Germany), I can definitely see another 4-0 happening again. Messi can win some games on his own, but he can't win them all on his own.
Assuming Germany finish 1st, Argentina wouldn't face them until the final. I think the draw works nicely in their favour, it gives them the opportunity to get Agüero/Higuaín/Di María into form. Far from certain but I think they've as good a chance as any to win it this year.
All it takes is for him to find an inch of space once in a game in and around the box and its game over. He's not as explosive and exciting as he once was but he's more efficient than ever.
Funny how during last WC he did everything in the group matches except hit the back of the net. He was the driving force of that team, with Maradona as a coach and in a deeper role. Now that his end product is much better, albeit less impressive performances from him and his teammates, he is getting praised.
Does he need to win the World Cup to get put on Maradona's level? I thought most people said they just wanted to see him shine in a World Cup like he does for Barcelona - which he's doing/has done.
The goalposts keep changing changed when it involves Messi, for some reason.
People should be happy to see a player on Maradona's level in our generation, instead of constantly trying to discredit him we should feel lucky.
The goalposts keep changing changed when it involves Messi, for some reason.
People should be happy to see a player on Maradona's level in our generation, instead of constantly trying to discredit him we should feel lucky.
Why no Ronaldo comparisons? Just because Ronaldo had zero goals?
This is his world cup.
Yes, but both play in it. Other players, too. Why not compare them?
Wasn't meant as a reply to you, I meant in general. Compare away if you want, no issues with me
People keep talking about how efficient and dull he is. Have you seen his goals this World Cup? The bloke is as exciting as they come, a genius.
I'm a bit flummoxed by this 'boring' tag too. If Messi can appear boring to you, there's probably something wrong with you, than with him.
He just goes out and plays like a guy down at the local sports centre playing five a side with his mates. No matter how many times he gets tripped or fouled he generally tends to just get up, smile at and/or high five the guy who just fouled him and get on with it. A natural talent who is almost impossible to dislike
you WILL eat your words
For a player that gets fouled as much as he does he really isnt a serial,diver
To be fair, most players dive out of desperation. For messi, diving is usually counter productive given his ability on the ball.
As for the boring bit, it's just that there's zero surprise element with him. He does brilliant and stunning things with the ball on such a routine basis you sort of get used to it. Anyone else does it can and it's fricking nuts. That, and bias of course, which is probably what it used to be for me,
Suarez, Neymar, Rooney
They dive and its not out of despiration
Of course they do. They know they can't score or aren't likely to beat the next defender so they go down, whereas messi backs his ability in those situations because he's got so much more. I'm sure honesty plays a part too but so does messi's ability.
It's like watching a 16-year-old with with 10-year-olds and not even try and play to their level.
Eventually, you'll have to tell him that he's not big and it's not clever and do get the feck off the pitch, because the kids are trying to have a sporting contest here.
I hope this is Messi's World Cup, he deserves it to put himself back into the Ballon d'Or race.