Who’s the GOAT?

[Bruce Wayne]

Costacurta was always my personal favourite

Goodnes was that Italian side great!

I have a soft spot for Zanetti as well. If Atticus Finch was crossed with Clark Kent and made into a footballer...

 

[Goat]

Maldini was better than Baresi. Just saying like.

I always considered Maldini more of a fullback.

 

[paulbefc]

Messi, because he's considerably better at footy than Ronaldo.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I always considered Maldini more of a fullback.

Both defenders though, and Maldini could do everything (with both feet) while simultaneously looking like a god. Both he and Baresi can't be considered the best ever though because they didn't win a World Cup and didn't have a season at Preston North End to "experience other leagues".

 

[Goat]

Both defenders though, and Maldini could do everything (with both feet) while simultaneously looking like a god.

Yes, I realised the discussion was about defenders and not CBs, so of course Paulo was an utter God where ever he played.

 

[Groucho]

But Franco Baresi was the GOAT defender.

So it would be a pointless exercise.

I’m afraid not mate. It’s Ben Godfrey.

 

[Tommy.]

Maradona.
Pele was undoubtedly brilliant but I will be that guy who questions him for not playing in a better league.

 

[The_Street_End]

Messi, he's better than Ronaldo at everything besides heading.

Maradonna looked unreal, but well before my time.

Ronaldinho was ridiculous for them few years though, proper magic in his boots.

 

[RAFUH]

i think if they could move era's Pele and Maradonna would be even better. Pitches'boots' balls and more important protection from the grocks. Move Ronaldo and Messi back they would still be good but not at the standard they are now. so my vote is "not a kin clue".

Would Maradonna have played much in current times given his drug habits

 

[longers]

It's Messi.

Ronaldo is/was the better athlete but Messi is just more naturally gifted and in his peak was more fun to watch. Messi does what you used to dream about, dribbling past multiple players, scoring every type of goal imaginable... he's just more entertaining.

Maradona looked to be as naturally gifted as Messi but lacked his consistency for various reasons. Also 80's football players would get dicked on by todays players purely due to the advancements in sport science and conditioning, not to mention how much more professional everything is compared to back then.

The other thing that Messi and Ronaldo have above players from previous eras is that everyone got to watch them play every week for multiple years allowing them to form a proper opinion whereas barely anyone got to watch Maradona or Pele because their leagues were not broadcast in the UK... and yet many people talk like they watched every single minute of Maradona's time at Napoli.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Shaun

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

If its any position, Maradona.
If its defenders, I'm putting a shout out for Paul mcgrath. Considering his shattered knees and desperate alcoholism, he was unreal.

 

[Carlito]

Messi in full flow is the best ever, I think.

However, I'd give Ronaldo the edge in terms of mental strength, and I think that counts for a lot.

 

[Carlito]

If its any position, Maradona.
If its defenders, I'm putting a shout out for Paul mcgrath. Considering his shattered knees and desperate alcoholism, he was unreal.

I love how every anecdote about McGrath being ballooned the night before a game always ends with:

'And the next day, he was man of the match.'

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

Messi in full flow is the best ever, I think.

However, I'd give Ronaldo the edge in terms of mental strength, and I think that counts for a lot.

Agree with this. No way on earth that the Portuguese national team would have achieved all that they have in World Cup's / Euros since 2006 without Ronaldo being the driving force behind the team.

Conversely, a more talented Argentinian side over the same time period have underwhelmed, and in particular Messi has rarely fronted for his country.

Messi has more football talent, but in a backs-to-the-wall situation you'd want Cristiano in your corner.