Is Messi the greatest player ever?

[The Esk]

Messi has scored nearly 400 first team goals has only just turned 27.

Undeniable his scoring record, but he looked much older than his 27 years tonight.

 

[deipnosophist]

Messi...great player. Surely there is no debate on that. Greatest?...hmmmm. Certainly up there.

 

[Elong]

Undeniable his scoring record, but he looked much older than his 27 years tonight.

Aye, I don't think we'll be seeing him play past his mid 30s.

 

[efcarentwe]

One of the most talented players ever imo, however, he didn't produce on the biggest stage. So he's one step behind Pele and Maradona.

Is the champions league not the big stage then?

 

[DrEFC]

If he'd of been beaked up like Maradona, we may of seen a more excitable confident Messi...
(This is not an endorsement, don't do drugs kids)

 

[ilikecheese]

Based on his trophy case holding more silverware than my silverware drawer...I reckon some are underrating him based on what he's done for country. I also don't think he's quite at the same level as Pele or Maradona...I'd slot him right next to Zidane I reckon...probably slightly ahead.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Debatable. What isn't debatable though is that whereas Maradona rose to the occasion and grabbed his chance at immortality Messi flinched and was found out in the same circumstances.

True to be fair.

 

[bicycleheader]

Some very simplistic arguments thrown about in this debate.

They are the two greatest in my opinion but I would have to say seeing Messi play at the top of his game for at least 4 seasons without almost even a single bad game would have to be the best achievement Ive eve ever seen in football.

Think of pretty much any of the other giants in the game in your time watching the sport and I dont think youd top that. I certainly havent.

Its a huge pity Messi is unlikely to get back to the same level. He will be reat but just as a different kind of player.

 

[Yid4life]

 

[The Cowboy]

Why do folk feel the need to rank players? Messi, Maradona, Pele, Best, Ronaldo, etc etc. All good players, lets just leave it at that. You're also trying to judge them based on a combination of club and country performances, which is grossly unfair, as some may be the shining light in an otherwise poor national side (eg Bale).

 

[Kurt.]

Why not just be greatfull that you are around to watch this special talent and appreciate it..... They don't come around too often.

 

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Why do folk feel the need to rank players? Messi, Maradona, Pele, Best, Ronaldo, etc etc. All good players, lets just leave it at that. You're also trying to judge them based on a combination of club and country performances, which is grossly unfair, as some may be the shining light in an otherwise poor national side (eg Bale).

32nd best post in this thread

 

[Azzurri]

Pele, Maradona, closely followed by Zidane. Messi could be filed alongside Cruyff as a very, very special talent that didn't quite cap it all off by pulling their country to the ultimate prize in football.

Maybe I just consider there to be more than two/three all time greats.

Gareth Bale could go on to be top scorer for the next 10 seasons and win every club competition worth winning. Not his fault he's Welsh.

 

[RFUS]

How can you even be the best player when there are umpteen different roles in the game. It's not tennis. Stick him in goal and he'd be woeful.

Best number 10? Best forward? Saner arguments to have but still futile as people are blinded by nostalgia and the players they adore at the least cynical times in their lives.

I believe modern footballers are the best as their fitness and physical aptitude is far greater. But I hate the word best. It's subjective to distinguish but objective in true meaning.

So basically you're all stupid and Magaye Gueye is the true pinnacle of football.

 

[Bob Latchford]

Timing just wasn't great for the wee man, however, its hard to argue that from around 2008-2012 he was the best player on the planet by quite some way.