Messi "best player of all time"

[Connor]

That WC final was his chance to prove to the world once and for all that he had what it takes to lead his country to glory and finally propel himself to Maradonna's status, subsequently establishing himself as one of the very best ever. He failed.

Ronaldo's Euro 2016 win with Portugal was more impressive, as are his many domestic honours across different leagues when viewed collectively.

Ronaldo wasn’t even the best player contribute to that Euro win, never mind calling it his win.

Nani was their best player in the tournament. Renato Sanches was unbelievable too. They then Had some luck in the final after Ronaldo went off injured.

Mad.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Ronaldo wasn’t even the best player contribute to that Euro win, never mind calling it his win.

Nani was their best player in the tournament. Renato Sanches was unbelievable too. They then Had some luck in the final after Ronaldo went off injured.

Mad.

Plus in any other tournament they wouldn't have even gotten out of their group. It was only UEFA's strange rules that allowed those finishing 3rd out of 4 in their group to progress (a group containing heavyweights like Iceland, Hungary and Austria, lest we forget). That's never been the case in international tournaments before.

 

[Connor]

Plus in any other tournament they wouldn't have even gotten out of their group. It was only UEFA's strange rules that allowed those finishing 3rd out of 4 in their group to progress (a group containing heavyweights like Iceland, Hungary and Austria, lest we forget). That's never been the case in international tournaments before.

They were so poor in that tournament, I still don’t know how they won it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

They were so poor in that tournament, I still don’t know how they won it.

Wales got to the semis. It's a tournament that throws up strange winners (yet is somehow stronger than the Copa America).

 

[Blues Harp]

I'd place Messi in this hierarchy:

Maradona

Pelle

Cruyff/Zidane/Di Stefano

Ronaldo/Best/Messi/Puskas/Platini

Gullit/Stoichkov/Hagi


...that sort of area.

before

Maradona better than Pele???? Unbelievable, heard everything now......the former drug taking cheat not fit to lace Pele's boots.

 

[Connor]

Wales got to the semis. It's a tournament that throws up strange winners (yet is somehow stronger than the Copa America).

Dave is gonna Dave.

 

[Jamiednm]

Ronaldo, simply because he has performed brilliantly, consistently for different clubs in different leagues and at the highest Club and International levels.

Messi is a brilliant player, but he hasn't had the same impact across leagues of internationally.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Wouldn't get a game ahead of Bolassie at Everton, would he?lol

 

[longers]

Ronaldo, simply because he has performed brilliantly, consistently for different clubs in different leagues and at the highest Club and International levels.

Messi is a brilliant player, but he hasn't had the same impact across leagues of internationally.

Meh, playing in different leagues is irrelevant to me given Messi has consistently dicked on the best sides from every top league in Europe whilst playing in champs league.

 

[peteblue]

Not a chance.

CR7 is miles ahead.

Both have done it Spain
CR7 has done it in the Prem and the International stage, its not even up for debate any longer.

Messi is a wonderful, wonderful player tho.

This really......

 

[Jamiednm]

Meh, playing in different leagues is irrelevant to me given Messi has consistently dicked on the best sides from every top league in Europe whilst playing in champs league.

He hasn't had to adapt to playing in other teams or leagues though. He has been in a mostly exceptional Barca team, well within his comfort zone. You'd expect him to be able to adapt, but he hasn't, so it's a big red cross next to him for that.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

He hasn't had to adapt to playing in other teams or leagues though. He has been in a mostly exceptional Barca team, well within his comfort zone. You'd expect him to be able to adapt, but he hasn't, so it's a big red cross next to him for that.

Spot on.

I find it hard to call any player the 'best ever' until he's proved his worth in multiple leagues.

 

[tommytowne]

Different eras and all that but once you saw Pele at his best (which was constantly) you will find it extremely difficult to accept anybody could be better than the Brazilian master.

 

[Lanolin]

He hasn't had to adapt to playing in other teams or leagues though. He has been in a mostly exceptional Barca team, well within his comfort zone. You'd expect him to be able to adapt, but he hasn't, so it's a big red cross next to him for that.

Spot on.

I find it hard to call any player the 'best ever' until he's proved his worth in multiple leagues.

Ronaldo has basically just played for the best/equal best team in 2 leagues though, so it's really proving anything is it?

If we were saying that one of them had achieved things with a club like us for example, while the other had always been surrounded by greatness, I would be inclined to agree. Similarly if Messi had moved abroad and failed. But given Messi's obvious talent, which he's shown in domestic, continental and international competitions, the logical assumption would be that he would succeed overseas, not that he would fail.

 

[Walken]

But league success beats cup success because of the consistency required. I mean the Portuguese success in 2016 has been mentioned above, yet they were 3rd in their group having failed to beat any of Iceland, Hungary and Austria, before then squeaking past Croatia in extra time, Poland on penalties, Wales and an extra time win against France. If it was a league competition they'd have played 7, drawn 6 and won 1. Get out the bunting and crown Ronny the messiah.

Moving the goalposts somewhat, I argued that Messi was not solely responsible for the 'success' of those runners up spots, not sure why you have gone off on a totally different tangent