this is why ronaldo will never be the best in the world

[Jim Van Winkle]

and for some more balance

Lionel Messi has now been booked for hand ball more often (3 times) than any player in the Liga this season

Its all those long balls Barcelona play he has to pick them out of the sky somehow. ; )

 

[Jim Van Winkle]

Because Messi is in a much better team than Napoli.No, even if he lifted the WC the argument would still continue. It's not an argument about achievements, it's an argument about who was best, and it's not simply about achievements when it's a team sport.

Yes he does, but people won't all agree. People aren't currently unanimous on who is the best to date.

I agree Messi is in a better team. My point is he can win the European Cup till he's blue in the face in which ever team he likes because you stated he wouldn't have to win a World Cup to be better than Maradona. He needs to dominant a World Cup and win in the manner which Maradona did as an individual inspiring team mates around him to be considered the greatest ever player.

 

[Triggaaar]

My point is he can win the European Cup till he's blue in the face in which ever team he likes because you stated he wouldn't have to win a World Cup to be better than Maradona. He needs to dominant a World Cup and win in the manner which Maradona did as an individual inspiring team mates around him.

I disagree. What if Messi played for Sam Marino? He could be the best player ever, by a mile, but he'd still have no hope of winning the WC, so in your opinion, he couldn't be the best player. Makes no sense.

I appreciate he plays for Argentina, so he has a chance, but he needs luck to go his way and if he fails that doesn't mean he's not the best. Their are 11 on the pitch, and even Maradona needed help.

 

[Jim Van Winkle]

I disagree. What if Messi played for Sam Marino? He could be the best player ever, by a mile, but he'd still have no hope of winning the WC, so in your opinion, he couldn't be the best player. Makes no sense.

I appreciate he plays for Argentina, so he has a chance, but he needs luck to go his way and if he fails that doesn't mean he's not the best. Their are 11 on the pitch, and even Maradona needed help.

I understand what you're saying but my point is this, if you ask any football fan of any age, "who is the greatest footballer ever?". I reckon a high percentage would say either Pele or Maradona. I'm sure someone like George Best would have got a place in any international team in the world. So to win a WC Messi would be considered with Pele and Maradona. I'm sure
if Johan Cruyff had won both his WC finals he would be mentioned with Pele and Maradona.

 

[Triggaaar]

I understand what you're saying but my point is this, if you ask any football fan of any age, "who is the greatest footballer ever?". I reckon a high percentage would say either Pele or Maradona.

Definitely. But no consensus.

I'm sure someone like George Best would have got a place in any international team in the world.

Ignoring the WC, did Best win much else?

So to win a WC Messi would be considered with Pele and Maradona. I'm sure
if Johan Cruyff had won both his WC finals he would be mentioned with Pele and Maradona.

Well Maradona only won one of his finals. And Messi still has time to keep achieving, so he could be considered the best in 10 years time regardless of the WC.

 

[jackalbion]

that video shows one dive and a ball hitting him in the nuts and then some immature comments on him being gay and it is made by an english speaking person why doesn't he just concentrate on english football instead of insult the greatest footballer on earth

 

[jackalbion]

it also doesn't help that ronaldo is a prick

 

[Jim Van Winkle]

Definitely. But no consensus.
Ignoring the WC, did Best win much else?
Well Maradona only won one of his finals. And Messi still has time to keep achieving, so he could be considered the best in 10 years time regardless of the WC.

Their you go Maradona only won one of his finals and is considered one of two greatest footballers ever to have played.

George Best won two league titles ('65 & '67), a European Cup ('68) and the Ballon d'Or('68).

We're going round circles here lets have this debate in 20, 30, 40 years time when Messi's career is over and the dust has well and truly settled on his playing days. If he has a WC medal and starred as a tournament icon he will be mentioned with Pele and Maradona, if he fails to do this then he goes in with Cruyff and Best.