The Greatest Of All Time

Jorg

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this is NOT a messi thread

going by cold hard stats, goals, assists, medals

who IS in 2019 the greatest ever player to have played the game

be honest...its not about ronaldo v messi

be sensible about it
 
blaudrup.jpg


:cool:
 
Not much in it between the 2 of them mate but I’m guessing messi does his stuff without the marching powder
 
Messi has never "owned" a World Cup tournament; Maradona did, Cruyff did, Pele did. Does that count at all? I think it could be a contributing factor because how many when they suggest Messi are too involved in the immediacy of this being his time?
 
Maradona is the most skillful player ever.

Pele is the greatest of all time with 3 world cups to his name.

Very difficult to separate Ronaldo and Messi - Ronaldo's champions league record is second to none. Messi is probably a better player though.
 
I just said to couple mates who were in, my top 3 would be Maradona, Pele, Messi. Messi 3rd only because he’s never won a World Cup, and never been kicked about like Maradona and Pele, different football now!
 
C'mon guys let's stop this nonsense and maybe discuss who is the 2nd best player of all time because wee Messi is on a different planet to anyone nowadays or previously and I am old enough to have seen pele , Maradonna etc playing. It's not even debatable anymore.
 
It's Messi for me. Was too young to have seen Maradona in his prime. But Messi has indisputably been the greatest player on earth for the last 30 years. The original Ronaldo was a sensation and injury probably robbed him of being the GOAT.
 
I'm always interested in those who pick Pele or Maradona. How often did you actually see him? I'd guess that it was probably a handful of times per season (if that) or possibly even just at the World Cup.
 
Messi IMHO.

But if Zidane finished his career with another world cup rather than Mattarazzi's head he would be undisputedly the greatest player ever.

1. Messi
2. Zidane
3. Pele
 
I'm always interested in those who pick Pele or Maradona. How often did you actually see him? I'd guess that it was probably a handful of times per season (if that) or possibly even just at the World Cup.
Pele would only have featured on TV once every 4 years unless there was a channel showing Brazilian football in the 70s but I highly doubt it.
 
Messi has never "owned" a World Cup tournament; Maradona did, Cruyff did, Pele did. Does that count at all? I think it could be a contributing factor because how many when they suggest Messi are too involved in the immediacy of this being his time?
Sure does Maradona by a good bit the best with Nil protection, can U imagine him playing now protected OOFT!!
Also Messi & Ronaldos careers would be over playing in the 80"s at there age now.
 
Messi IMHO.

But if Zidane finished his career with another world cup rather than Mattarazzi's head he would be undisputedly the greatest player ever.

1. Messi
2. Zidane
3. Pele

Having had the pleasure of watching all three, I’d put Pele top of that list and Messi in third. Zizu was the one I saw at his peak though and has been a hero of mine ever since. Fantastic, modern day midfield player.
 
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1) Maradona
2) Messi
3) Ronaldo

It's an age thing.

not having a go but can you back up your choices with stats

post up the stats, once that is out the way, we can discuss skill, assists, international honours

keep it civil and factual and there is a discussion to be had
 
1. Boab Malcolm
2. Messi
3. Ronaldo

Some little known facts :

In May 2004, Malcolm was fined £5,000 after signing "FTP" (an acronym depicting "%^*& The Pope") alongside an autograph for a fan.[4][5] Anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth made Rangers aware of the incident which took place at a private club function.[6] In November 2004, Malcolm was sent-off from the dug-out at Ibrox Stadium and escorted to the dressing room by two police officers for making what was reported to have been obscene gestures towards fans of rival Scottish club Celtic, during an Old Firm derby. However, he did return to the bench later in the match. (source Wiki)

Neither Messi nor Ronaldo managed these things.
 
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Having had the pleasure of watching all three, I’d put Pele tip of that list and Messi in third. Zizu was the one I saw at his peak though and has been a hero of mine ever since. Fantastic, modern day midfield player.
It's an honour to watch Messi that's why i have him 1.
Always liked Zidane and he would be number 1 for me if as i said he retired with world cup.
Pele is just here say for me and looked a special player.
 
Based purely on stats and numbers? ... The way of the modern sky sports news analysis. Higher number = better.

No context of where the player plays (positionally, or league(s) played in, level of competition and opponents etc) their role in a side, their natural talent, skills, abilities.

Maradona is the greatest, most naturally talented player I've ever seen with a ball at his feet. Ronaldo (R9), Ronaldinho (short lived prime), Zidane and Michael Laudrup would probably make up my top 5.

Special mention for Marco van Basten. Greatest all round CF I've seen, career cruelly cut short by injury.

Edit - And if we do prioritise just stats and decide only goals, trophy haul for club and country, and especially WC wins, determine the best 'player'... Despite only ever seeing clips of the man, I'd say it has to be Pele.
 
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Tin hat on here but I think much of the Maradona love-in is just dreary-eyed nostalgia of folk looking back at an era of football that they enjoyed much more. There is absolutely no doubting that the guy was an exceptional talent. His career achievements however consist of 1 World Cup and 2 Serie A wins with a very good Napoli side, all won within a period of 4 years.

Messi has been tearing it up at the very top level for 13 years and counting. He’s been running riot against the best teams in the world in the biggest club tournament in the world for the last 13 years. He’s been the linchpin in arguably the greatest club side ever. He has a level of consistency, a goal scoring record and a trophy haul that Maradona could only dream of. In terms of records held, there isn’t even a comparison to be made.

I can’t stand Barcelona and I’m by no means a Messi fanboy, but for me there is no doubt that Messi is the greatest player to ever play football. To put Maradona ahead of him purely because of 5 goals he scored at a world cup tournament held over a 4 week period is just madness.
 
Has to be Cruyff. Outstanding player, 3 Champions leagues in a row, WC final. Won CL with Barca as manager. Created a style of play emulated all over the world. Such a simple method. When you have the ball, make the pitch as big as possible, when you don't, make it as small as possible.
 
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