Great recent football - Put any videos on

[peejay80]

Messi scored a fantastic hat trick last night. has been the best player in the world for a few years now for me and still is, regardless of what Ronaldo and my beloved Rooney have done

All time great this lad.

[kinggiggs]

For me two people have epitomised the saying "Its like the ball is stuck to his foot".....Messi and Best.

[Bestie]

I've seen those three goals over and over again. Everytime I do I just look and think, the defending there was shit.

1st goal, Messi went to go one way, a defender got in, and poked the ball away from another defender, the number 2 and completely wrong footed him. It was a good shimmy from Messi after that, but the number 15 was turned way too easily.

2nd goal, superb finish, but the left back got caught under the ball in the first place, then the number 15 was caught square one on one with Messi AND stood off him. Only one winner there.

3rd goal, how the hell does the number 15 ever allow himself to be one on one AGAIN? Basic ball over the top, poor defending. Yes, another good finish, but come on, if Wes Brown got done like that we would be tearing our hair out.

Messi is class, he's simply awesome. But I'm bored of him getting an easy ride. Just once, I'd like to see a defender hammer him in the first 10 minutes of a game. Fair challenge, but strong and full-blooded. See how well he copes then. For example, playing against, I dunno, Roy Keane in his prime. Or against the likes of a Bolton, for say, Manchester United on a freezing Tuesday night game with the sleet swirling round. I can't see it, just cannot imagine it. Can anyone?

That's why, in my opinion, he can't be definitively regarded as the best in the world. Only one player at this moment has done it in both the Premier League and La Liga (the two best leagues in the world). He's your best in the world.

[ScholesEvilTwin]

I think Bestie was spot on with everything he said there.

[NR7]

couldn't agree more with bestie and the goals just about sums up the difference between the Premier League and La Liga.... Can you imagine Messi scoring those kind of goals against us or Chelsea ? I think not... I have been following Barca for 3 years and trust me, he has scored way better goals... Before calling him an all time great, I did like to see Messi in the PL and perform well for his country....

[ScholesEvilTwin]

You compare Valencias defending agaisnt barca with Fulhams against us and Fulham were way better - and Valencia are supposed to be one of spains top teams

[SAF_Legend]

I still reckon Ronaldo's an edge better than Messi... simply because Ronaldo has proven his quality on 5 stages - Portugese, International, Champions League, English and Spanish; while Messi has proven on only 3.

But I still think Messi is a hell of a player - a class beyond most. Would it be safe to say that both of them are the Pele and Maradona of our generation?

[bananarama]

Mar 16, 2010 13:03:56 GMT Bestie said:

I've seen those three goals over and over again. Everytime I do I just look and think, the defending there was shit.

1st goal, Messi went to go one way, a defender got in, and poked the ball away from another defender, the number 2 and completely wrong footed him. It was a good shimmy from Messi after that, but the number 15 was turned way too easily.

2nd goal, superb finish, but the left back got caught under the ball in the first place, then the number 15 was caught square one on one with Messi AND stood off him. Only one winner there.

3rd goal, how the hell does the number 15 ever allow himself to be one on one AGAIN? Basic ball over the top, poor defending. Yes, another good finish, but come on, if Wes Brown got done like that we would be tearing our hair out.

Messi is class, he's simply awesome. But I'm bored of him getting an easy ride. Just once, I'd like to see a defender hammer him in the first 10 minutes of a game. Fair challenge, but strong and full-blooded. See how well he copes then. For example, playing against, I dunno, Roy Keane in his prime. Or against the likes of a Bolton, for say, Manchester United on a freezing Tuesday night game with the sleet swirling round. I can't see it, just cannot imagine it. Can anyone?

That's why, in my opinion, he can't be definitively regarded as the best in the world. Only one player at this moment has done it in both the Premier League and La Liga (the two best leagues in the world). He's your best in the world.

If you watch La Liga on a regular basis you will know that Messi takes his fair share of kicks and cynical tackles, thats why he used to get injured so much when he was younger. He has come through it a stronger and better player and deserves credit for his phenomenal ability. He has 22 league goals this season which is incredible for a player who plays in the postion he does. This Barcelona team is one of the best football teams ever, put any football team from the past up against this Barcelona team and they would probably get beaten.

[Bestie]

Mar 16, 2010 16:00:36 GMT SAF_Legend said:

Would it be safe to say that both of them are the Pele and Maradona of our generation?

That's how I look at it to be honest. I know Rooney is in awesome form right now, but until he does that three season straight, we can't really consider him side by side to the other two.

[ginger18legend]

Mar 16, 2010 19:23:10 GMT Bestie said:

Mar 16, 2010 16:00:36 GMT SAF_Legend said:

Would it be safe to say that both of them are the Pele and Maradona of our generation?

That's how I look at it to be honest. I know Rooney is in awesome form right now, but until he does that three season straight, we can't really consider him side by side to the other two.

Nevermind those two. Rooney is the new George Best!
Just hope he doesnt end up like him though.

[20Times]

^^ New Denis Law more like

[ginger18legend]

Mar 16, 2010 19:40:26 GMT 20Times said:

^^ New Denis Law more like

No no. Dont want him going to City at any point of his career.
I would say new Sir Bobby Charlton - but that place has been filled by Sir Paul Scholes.
So - The new Tommy Taylor?

[ScholesEvilTwin]

or he could just be Wayne Rooney. You cant compare players from different generations....

If he matches (and i hate to say this) shearers goalscoring feats and Keanos influence on the squad then he will be fine.

If he doesnt, im just happy hes Rooney

[peejay80]

@bestie. your assesment of the goals is correct. no doubt.

but to suggest that messi 'gets an easy ride' is wrong, he gets kicked just as much as ronaldo, if not more, difference is that messi trys to stay on his feet, Ronaldo looks to go down and whinge.

and that for me is all that seperates the two and the reason i would rather have Messi

[Bestie]

Mar 16, 2010 21:24:01 GMT peejay80 said:

@bestie. your assesment of the goals is correct. no doubt.

but to suggest that messi 'gets an easy ride' is wrong, he gets kicked just as much as ronaldo, if not more, difference is that messi trys to stay on his feet, Ronaldo looks to go down and whinge.

and that for me is all that seperates the two and the reason i would rather have Messi

I know I discussed thew footballing aspect before, but I'm also referring about more than just on the pitch when I talk about Messi's 'easy riding'.

Put aside for one moment the fact that La Liga and continental football in general is a lot more over-protective of flair, well, any players actually. Ignore that Messi has never had the likes of the James Morrison type tackle in Spain because that sort of thing is simply not tolerated in La Liga.

In the media aswell, Messi is bummed and creamed over without real reservation. Ronaldo on the other hand, consistently gets systematic abuse from certain sections on the press. I don't think I've ever heard a breath of criticism for Messi, say he has a poor game, or lashes out perhaps. Like the time he tried headbutting somebody. Virtually nowt was said. Ronaldo does that it's a hanging offence. Bearing in mind Ronaldo was one sent off for having a raised boot within 2 yards of a City player. Messi just doesn't get put under the microscope in the same way. It's all
"Oh, isn't Lionel Messi a genius! We'll ignore shite defending and give him all the credit."
With Ronnie, it's more like:
""Fantastic free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo, but could the goalkeeper have been better positoned?"
"Ronaldo!! Terrific run from the Portuguese! But you do have to question why the defenders' stood off him."

By the way, for anyone wondering, I think Messi is a great player regardless!