Lionel Messi

[gynn]

Where does Lionel Messi rank alongside the all time great footballers? He's still only 24, but he has already achieved spectacular success with Barcelona. Some of the goals he has scored have been breathtaking - I remember one goal he scored in La Liga this season against Malaga. He danced through the defence as if it wasn't there, and reminded me of George Best in his heyday.

And Tommy Docherty reminded us this morning of the wonderful attitude he has to the game, never getting into trouble and also playing with the right spirit. He compared him to Tom Finney in that respect.

There can be no greater compliment than that.

[cashman]

Have to say Gynn, fer my money Messi is as good as owt ive seen in me time.

[jaysay]

He's a marvelous player in my eyes, I watch Barca every opportunity I get, can't say I've seen anything better, at 24 he is Barca's leading goal scorer of all time and has already broken the scoring record in a seasons champions league with a possible 3 matches to go, I heard the Doc this morning too and he was correct in every department

[carpon]

Originally Posted by cashman

Have to say Gynn, fer my money Messi is as good as owt ive seen in me time.

Unfortunately, he's a bit out of Cooky's price range Cashy !!!

Messi is an awesome player, frightening to think he's only 24 and probably has the best years of his career in front of him yet!!

Have to say though, I had this discussion with my step-father and a few others at the club I go to at the weekends, and (given that they're older than me and well versed / qualified to comment ) they didn't rate Messi in their "top three".

They went on to rate Pele, Finney, Puskas and Best to mention but a few....( given that these guys saw all these players in the flesh and not on T.V. !!! ) above Mr Messi. And how did I regret mentioning Maradonna in that exalted company.....cheating git I know, but for me...."hand of god" aside, he has to rank up there with the best.

The best I've seen in the flesh....Frank Worthington ( when he played for P.N.E. at the end of his career ) He was knocking forty when I saw him.....And John Barnes...went downhill after "that" goal against Brazil !!!

[cashman]

Originally Posted by carpon

Unfortunately, he's a bit out of Cooky's price range Cashy !!!

Messi is an awesome player, frightening to think he's only 24 and probably has the best years of his career in front of him yet!!

Have to say though, I had this discussion with my step-father and a few others at the club I go to at the weekends, and (given that they're older than me and well versed / qualified to comment ) they didn't rate Messi in their "top three".

They went on to rate Pele, Finney, Puskas and Best to mention but a few....( given that these guys saw all these players in the flesh and not on T.V. !!! ) above Mr Messi. And how did I regret mentioning Maradonna in that exalted company.....cheating git I know, but for me...."hand of god" aside, he has to rank up there with the best.

The best I've seen in the flesh....Frank Worthington ( when he played for P.N.E. at the end of his career ) He was knocking forty when I saw him.....And John Barnes...went downhill after "that" goal against Brazil !!!

Have to say Finney n Best are the best english players ive seen in flesh n fer me Messi is up yon wi em, only saw Puskas @ Pele on t.v. Tell em thing is a lot of folk are guilty of the "Those were the days syndrome" have been guilty of that meself.

[jaysay]

One always has to say would these players be the same into today's football, we now have grounds like billiard tables, nothing like the Baseball Ground or Burnden Park on a wet Wednesday night, they often show a clip of Besty running riot through the Spurs defence, even Old Trafford got a bit heavy underfoot in those days, plus the games a lot faster today

[Mancie]

It's always hard to compare players from the past with those playing today..Mathews, Pele, Maradona, Best, Finney, Puskas etc all skillful players... Maradona being the best I've seen.. but as a goal scorer Messi really does have the edge.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Mancie

It's always hard to compare players from the past with those playing today..Mathews, Pele, Maradona, Best, Finney, Puskas etc all skillful players... Maradona being the best I've seen.. but as a goal scorer Messi really does have the edge.

Thats true, gotta say most skillful imho has to be Best, shame it wasn't fer as long as it should have been. Messi though is up yon wi anyone in my opinion.

[Guinness]

Originally Posted by cashman

Have to say Finney n Best are the best english players

*cough*

Beckenbauer for me...hideous as a man, exquisite as a footballer

[Mancie]

Originally Posted by cashman

Thats true, gotta say most skillful imho has to be Best, shame it wasn't fer as long as it should have been. Messi though is up yon wi anyone in my opinion.

I'd have to say I've never seen any player in the 18yrd box as good as Messi.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Guinness

*cough*

Beckenbauer for me...hideous as a man, exquisite as a footballer

*Cough* he was a German

[Guinness]

Originally Posted by jaysay

*Cough* he was a German

Erm....the *cough* was a gentle poke at Cashman for referring to Best as English

My mention of Beckenbauer was made as my opinion as the best footballer I've seen 'in the flesh'.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by Guinness

Erm....the *cough* was a gentle poke at Cashman for referring to Best as English

My mention of Beckenbauer was made as my opinion as the best footballer I've seen 'in the flesh'.

I regard Northern Irish prods as english Guinness. in fact i once told Bestie that n we had a good laugh about it.

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by cashman

in fact i once told Bestie that n we had a good laugh about it.

Ooh .... you name dropper you !

[ossy kid]

Charlton was as good as they come and don,t mention that fat little get in the same breath