Is Messi Greatest Ever?
The question will always hang around given the different
aspects of today’s game. It’s tough to compare Messi to other great legends
simply because the pace of the game was played differently. Some fans of the
beautiful game will argue that the Barcelona talisman has not won a World Cup yet and some would retaliate saying that Messi is the only player to have won
the FIFA Ballon d’or five times.
The comparison with Pele will always come up among fans of
different generations. Undoubtedly Pele is stamped in the history of the game
as the finest; however, it is a tough call when comparing different players who
not only played in different eras but also in completely different tournaments.
Some will say
that Pele did not play in today’s Champions League accelerated pace against the
fastest and fittest opponents. Respectfully though, the Brazilian legend lifted
the World Cup three times (1958, 1962, 1970) which arguably has no contest.
Pele was great and he did not play against top club players every four years to
beat them to the coveted prize as Copa Libertadores was and still is a very
competitive tournament among South American teams.
Messi is definitely one of the greatest ever but it’s
difficult to compare with Pele. They both have qualities that ‘at their best’
have been untouchable by their opponents but they played in distinctive
tournaments at a completely different pace. Some would say that players back in
the 70s and 80s were just walking around the pitch compared to today’s players.
But some will say that defenders back then would tear a players knee apart and
the referee would not call a foul.
To compare players of different generations and different tournaments
is simply a tough argument. There always will be a great player in different
generations fans will remember and compare them with the idol they grew up
with.
