Absolutely. And it's the sign of the times in a sense. I've said for years now that the quality of the "big" national teams has deteriorated. Not because they field poorer players - they obviously don't - but because these teams are less coherent, less "gelled" than they used to be. It has something to do with the galacticos era, no doubt.
Messi at the World Cup - No Ronaldo comparisons!
- Thread starter amolbhatia50k
- Start date
Absolutely. And it's the sign of the times in a sense. I've said for years now that the quality of the "big" national teams has deteriorated. Not because they field poorer players - they obviously don't - but because these teams are less coherent, less "gelled" than they used to be. It has something to do with the galacticos era, no doubt.
Was selling Ronandinho outrageous?
He wasn't anywhere close to their best player when he was sold.
I looked it up on YouTube, but didn't see anything really special from Pele though...
Aye - it'll be very interesting to see where he takes it from here.
He could adapt to more of a playmaker role. But then again much of what seemingly hampers his style at the moment could be down to purely physical - and temporary - issues. He still has it in bursts. Look at how he suddenly changes gears and leaves Hummels behind in the dust on that one occasion tonight - he looked like the old Messi for a moment there.
Matches from the 1970s world cup would be the easiest to obtain or find on the internet(eg youtube or similar sites). Arguably his best tournament all round as well imo. He got injured vs Czechoslovakia in 1962 in the 2nd group match and missed the rest of the tournament. There are highlights and dvds summarising 1958 out there. Harder to find of course.
The two situations are completely different.
Player of the tournament 
At least he's still FIFA's love child.
At least he's still FIFA's love child.
Eh? You need to watch the whole match, man. Get some beers in, watch the whole thing - treat it like a movie. A bloody good movie at that.
I'm not one of those people who buys into the idea that you need to perform in a World Cup to be considered amongst the greatest, so I agree that those who harp on about comparing Messi to Maradona and his WC performances are annoying.
But I still feel Messi has been underwhelming and is bound to be critiqued by those who have seen him perform to a higher standard(whether such opinions are backed by a World Cup or not). He looked tired to be honest. Or perhaps even lazy.
Let alone the best player in the world coming into his theoretical prime.
True. But he was still the star of the team. Sometimes tough decisions are needed in order to becomes champions again. If they can't get the very best out of Neymar and Suarez because of Messi then they should consider selling him and either trust Deulofeu/Rafinha or buy a quality RW. I dont think it's possible for Barca to go back to the glory days of Henry - Eto'o - Messi where the goals were shared between them. Why? Messi is not the same as he was back then? He doesn't work like he did then. I miss that side of him.
There's a Pele vs Italy 1970 video on YouTube, I watched it but all I saw was Pele being tackled, giving sideways passes, scoring a header and providing an assist but nothing that made me go 'woow'.
Why would they sell Messi FFS
Do you know the amount of money he makes Barcelona a year by being 'Messi'. That alone makes him worthy of having him in the team.
You could argue that Messi looks past his prime - even at 27. Statistically if anything.
Dont think he'll ever score 91 goals in a calendar year or 73 goals in a season again.
What you expected him to do that again?
Surely you can't be serious.
Check out the torrent sites - there used to be some good ones. I have Brazil's entire knock-out stage on file somewhere - decent quality too.
Point being - watch the whole games. Highlights are rubbish when it comes to assessing a player.
Why not? If he hadn't hit his prime then he should be able to.
pele won 3 world cups but was apart of amazing brazil sides. there's no way messi deserved that personal award tonight but there is clearly something not right with him. reports of regular throwing up (pressure/stress?) and seeing him walking around the pitch are a real shame to watch
Ok. Let's wait and see.
Messi: "A shame we can't offer the fans the trophy, but we leave with our head up high, we have peace of mind. I'm proud to be Argentine."
Messi: "This was a chance to give the fans some joy after all the sadness. Golden Ball is not important, all I wanted was to lift the cup"
Messi: "It was so close, we're angry to lose like that. Best player of tournament? Doesn't matter, you don't play for individual trophies."
Messi: "This was a chance to give the fans some joy after all the sadness. Golden Ball is not important, all I wanted was to lift the cup"
Messi: "It was so close, we're angry to lose like that. Best player of tournament? Doesn't matter, you don't play for individual trophies."
Seedorf said it well
Team game.
He created more chances than anyone in this world cup, his team mates let him down, Especially Palacio and Higiuan who were absolute dog shite in every game they played. (Aguero Lacked match sharpness). What more could he have done? He carried them throughout the groups and assisted Di Maria's goal in the knockout stages. I swear how on Earth did Palacio get into that team at the expense of Tevez? absolute bollocks!
Rodriquez and Robben were both better but Messi carried his team further than they did, so for me his Golden Ball award is well deserved, he is only 27 so he will have the 2018 world cup to show his quality and maybe he will get better team mates in 4 years time, Instead of having that fecking Jedi padawan looking Palacio up front.
Rodriquez and Robben were both better but Messi carried his team further than they did, so for me his Golden Ball award is well deserved, he is only 27 so he will have the 2018 world cup to show his quality and maybe he will get better team mates in 4 years time, Instead of having that fecking Jedi padawan looking Palacio up front.
Hopefully he lifts the Copa America next year, a lot of good teams will be participating in that Tournament!
Who?
Anyway, Messi being crowned player of the tournament was a farce eh? FIFA/Barca at it again!
I've not read through the thread so it may have said but Argentina this year were not that different to 86. If anything they were more fancied.
The Argentinian team themselves were in awe of Maradona in 86 as he made sure of it. Cocky yes but he thrived on the responsibility and most importantly delivered. Call it ego, call it talent - he won the World Cup for them.
I know he's not 'loved' in Argentina the same way Maradona was / is due to his European thing but the stage was set for Messi to put all that right.
Yes he's great within a team like Barca but when the whole team / country looked to him - it was all a bit soft.
The Argentinian team themselves were in awe of Maradona in 86 as he made sure of it. Cocky yes but he thrived on the responsibility and most importantly delivered. Call it ego, call it talent - he won the World Cup for them.
I know he's not 'loved' in Argentina the same way Maradona was / is due to his European thing but the stage was set for Messi to put all that right.
Yes he's great within a team like Barca but when the whole team / country looked to him - it was all a bit soft.
Well if his team mates gave him a little help, you know, Just a little.... He most likely would have.
Be careful what you say, you might easily be called a drunk or an idiot by the "fanboys" here for making such a statement....
It's all so marginal. Higuain and Palacio missed huge chances. Players from different eras shouldn't be compared anyway IMO. Let's be real, you can't ask from Messi to single-handedly beat this amazing German side. That's unrealistic.
try watching games rather than wanking over statistics mate, Mascherano was much better for Argentina in the world cup, Robben, Muller, Rodriguez all had much better world cups than Messi as well.
but hey when you want to suck the guy off I guess reality means nout to you.
Childish
Meh, I'm not bothered by their stat attacks! Muller should have won it in my opinion. Didn't think Messi was on it at all.Be careful what you say, you might easily be called a drunk or an idiot by the "fanboys" here for making such a statement....
Childish
accurate of the idiots on here who think Messi is some kind of god even when he plays crap.
Golden Ball FIFA is a fecking joke.
FIFA is a fecking joke.I couldn't care less what you think of Messi. He doesn't even know that I exist so why should i care what a man is typing behind his computer thinks about somebody he has never met?
I was replying to your childish comments if anything
Who would you have given it to.....Robben?Golden Ball
That was my point.
People were looking for him (as they did Maradona in 86) and he wasn't anywhere close.
He's a fantastic player for sure but after years of being hailed as possibly the greatest ever - it was interesting to see how he stacked up to Maradona when he didn't get much help.