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.
How do you define a great player? Amount of trophies? Amount of goals? Personality? Championships? The question is how is the best soccer player defined? What defines this sportsman?
ReplyDeleteWhy was Pele the best player of his time or the current time? or Maradona?
These questions are not clearly defined, therefore the arguments will always be there. Until corrupted FIFA defines how the player gets selected, we would never know. For now, they say it is by voting, but do not provide the parameters for which the voters get to select a player.
If you asked me: As a former player, and having played with some great players, I would say that a great player or the best player is the one who can take charge in very complicated situations and lead a team to glory. He does it by leading by example, working hard, giving his all on the pitch, having the skills of not a one legged man, but can use both legs to pass, to kick, to shot, can jump very high and hit great headers, and run fast, dribble and score from outside the box or inside in complex situations and angles.
This is what Pele could do, and many others. I am yet to see Messi do half of it, and I believe that the very least he could do is play in a different tournament, something that ALL GREAT PLAYERS have done and succeed.
Pele (Santos, Cosmos, Brazil National Team)
Maradona (Argentino Juniors, Boca, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, New Old's, and Argentina National Team)
Ronaldo (Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Milan Corinthias, and Brazil)
Ronaldhino (Gremio, PSG, Barcelona, Milan, FLamengo, Mineiro, Queratao, and Brazil)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid)
Now..
Messi (Barcelona C, B, A)...
You are right, he cannot be compared to great players... But I would say he is a good player, but not the best in my book.