Laudrup1
Well-Known Member
The thing is, Barcelona probably woukd have won the majority of things without him because he had/has world class team mates. Maradona played in a Napoli team without that levwl of quality. The 86 WC side was half decent but nowhere near the level of world champions. Messi has failed to deliver on the International scene on that level. For me that is the difference between the two.
Even so, Ronaldo is a better player than Messi. Everything you get with Messi:goals, assists etc you get with Ronaldo but Ronaldo's physical presence and aeriel threat gives him the edge.
You cannot say that Barca would have won most things they've won even without Messi.
The very next point you make proves that that one elite player who can go above and beyond makes the difference.
Maradona did it for Argentina in 1986 (though failed to do it ever again for them and similarly with Napoli in the European Cup) and there is not one shadow of doubt that Messi has made the difference for Barca countless times.
Messi hasn't failed to deliver on the international stage other than not actually winning a WC. He's been a consistent performer at International level if you look at his stats.
If Higuain does what Burruchaga managed to do, the argument is entirely different.
Maradona doesn't get all the credit for winning that WC. He was the star man for sure but you can't pin all that on him and then suggest that Barca would have won everything they have without their star man.