Messi v Everyone.

[Ted Hughes]

Hard to compare Messi with Pele, Maradona etc as players are fitter now & defenders aren't allowed to tackle. It's difficult to know how some of the modern players would get on when subject to 15 challenges which would now be a red card. Pele was a lazy twat though for sure.

Speaking of lzy twats; imo Ronaldinho at his peak for Barca was as good as anything I've seen so far as purely attacking goes. He combined the short passing/dribbling game with long passes & incredible shooting/free kicks/crosses. I enjoyed watching him even more than I do Messi. What a pity he couldn't be arsed keeping it going.

[The Man In Blue]

Speaking of lzy twats; imo Ronaldinho at his peak for Barca was as good as anything I've seen so far as purely attacking goes. He combined the short passing/dribbling game with long passes & incredible shooting/free kicks/crosses. I enjoyed watching him even more than I do Messi. What a pity he couldn't be arsed keeping it going.

agreed, he was class. remember that CL game vs chelsea at the bridge, 5-4 did it end up? he scored one of the best goals i've ever seen.

[Slim]

Barca give him the perfect stage to play on as NQDP says solidity and quality all around him so the final 3rd becomes his playground. I wouldnt make comparisons tbh but he is one of the greatest players ever. Such a shame Argentina cock'd it up in SA.

There are two ways of looking at that, yes he has a great team around him and it allows him the opportunity to express himself. The other way of looking at it is there is no way a player can standout in such a talented team unless he is truly exceptional.

[brite blu sky]

Barca give him the perfect stage to play on as NQDP says solidity and quality all around him so the final 3rd becomes his playground. I wouldnt make comparisons tbh but he is one of the greatest players ever. Such a shame Argentina cock'd it up in SA.

There are two ways of looking at that, yes he has a great team around him and it allows him the opportunity to express himself. The other way of looking at it is there is no way a player can standout in such a talented team unless he is truly exceptional.

He is exceptional and will go down as one of the best, barca obviously help him in that, if he was with a duff team he would still be amazing but just less effective overall as even he cant do everything himself.

As someone posted if Argentina get themselves sorted and he has a storming WC with them he will then be elevated to genius/world legend status.

[the_georgian_genius]

The best player i have ever seen but even Jo would score lots in that side. It's a debate i have with family members all the time - Messi v Maradonna, who is better? And allthough it will never happen i would love to see Messi joing a Napoli of today and inspire them to win trophies on his own for club and country like Maradonna did.

Personally i think Messi just edges it, even at 23 and he will probably stay at Barca for the rest of his career, breaking every record they, UEFA and the Spanish League has. He is a joy to watch.