Lionel Messi

[ZacNaloen]

Messi is more honest.

You are aware that most football fans in Spain are outraged over how much diving Messi does?

I'd agree he has a history of diving, but not more than most and considering the kicking he takes he gets on with it commendably well really. What makes you think that most Spanish fans are outraged at his diving though? I've not seen anything to support that (but don't follow it that closely so it's a genuine question).

Most Spaniards outside of Catalonia presumably?

[Terminal Boardom]

You're pissed, right?

Messi has the best left foot I've ever seen, is the best finisher I've ever seen, is the best dribbler I've ever seen, is incredibly unselfish for one so talented yet you think he's reliant on others to feed him the ball...?

I'll take a whoosh on the chin btw.

Well, having gone to the Camp Nou last Saturday to see Barca in action, Messi did very little until the ball got to the final third of the pitch when he came alive. For me, the heartbeat of the side that I saw play was Iniesta.

[Royal Rother]

I wouldn't argue with that.

But, as with Messi, Iniesta is not a hard-tackling ball winner, so he could equally be "accused" of being reliant on others giving him the ball.

Which would be equally ridiculous.

(To put it in context...)

the phrase is "flavor of the month".. seen it before, torres, stevie g, kaka, ronaldihno.. "best in the world".. ofc messi relies on service by teammates..

[The Rouge]

Lionel Messi is the best footballer that has ever played the game.

Messi > Pele > Maradona

[Terminal Boardom]

Lionel Messi is the best footballer that has ever played the game.

Messi > Pele > Maradona

Even better than Bas Savage?

[Friday's Legacy]

Just out of interest, what are the career goals to games ratios for Ronaldo and Messi?

Ronaldo has now scored 135 in 134 for Real Madrid. His record at United was sublime too.

[cmonurz]

Messi has 238 in 318. Ronaldo has 258 in 457.

Although Ronaldo was scoring for fun for United when he left, he started as an out and out winger and got only 6 and 9 goals in his first two seasons with the club.

[TheMaraudingDog]

Messi best player ever?

Not even the best currently playing in Spain.

[buzzby]

Just scored his 88th this year

[cmonurz]

Messi has 238 in 318. Ronaldo has 258 in 457.

Although Ronaldo was scoring for fun for United when he left, he started as an out and out winger and got only 6 and 9 goals in his first two seasons with the club.

45 goals in 40 games since I posted that stat. Ronaldo 33 in 32. Incredible goalscoring.

[genome]

But would they both be so prolific in the Prem? Are La Liga defences just shite?

[Royalist]

Well in one season Ronaldo got 42 goals in 49 games for Manchester United so it's not impossible to imagine Messi being able to do it. Don't think sides over here build around one player as much as Barca and Madrid have done.

[Alan Partridge]

But would they both be so prolific in the Prem? Are La Liga defences just shite?

I'm sure the likes of Sunderland, Wigan and Reading would be far more suitable in stopping Messi and Ronaldo.

[soggy biscuit]

Flamengo say Zico scored 89 goals in 1979 so Messi is yet to break the record.

Who the f*** has calendar year records anyway??

[soggy biscuit]

Flamengo say Zico scored 89 goals in 1979 so Messi is yet to break the record.

Who the f*** has calendar year records anyway??

Zambian FA confirm that they have a record of every one of Godfrey Chitalu's 107 goals he scored in 1972 and are providing them to FIFA to protect his record

[bobbybottler]

But would they both be so prolific in the Prem? Are La Liga defences just shite?

I'm sure the likes of Sunderland, Wigan and Reading would be far more suitable in stopping Messi and Ronaldo.

I can recall the 0-0 at Old Trafford, where we went in with six defenders, Ronaldo scarcely made it out of Murty's pocket.

[cmonurz]

Flamengo say Zico scored 89 goals in 1979 so Messi is yet to break the record.

Who the f*** has calendar year records anyway??

Zambian FA confirm that they have a record of every one of Godfrey Chitalu's 107 goals he scored in 1972 and are providing them to FIFA to protect his record

Wonder if it's Messi doing this that has prompted other countries to look at domestic scoring records. Seems strange otherwise that these claims come up now and not in the time Muller was considered the record holder.

[creative_username_1]

But would they both be so prolific in the Prem? Are La Liga defences just shite?

I'm sure the likes of Sunderland, Wigan and Reading would be far more suitable in stopping Messi and Ronaldo.

I can recall the 0-0 at Old Trafford, where we went in with six defenders, Ronaldo scarcely made it out of Murty's pocket.

I seem to remember Ronaldo giving Murty a hamstring injury, twice

[REMTARDROYAL]

Flamengo say Zico scored 89 goals in 1979 so Messi is yet to break the record.

Who the f*** has calendar year records anyway??

I thought Brazil might have done calendar year seasons at one point, so it's not surprising that theyd have such a record.

[Deadlock]

They do now - the Brazilian season runs from May to December. Fluminense won the 2012 season a few days ago.