Today's blog I'm bringing you is on the debate that's raging after last night's performance, is Lionel Messi the greatest footballer of all-time? As I have been a football player all my life and hold some coaching badges I thought I might toss my point of view into the mixing pot.
First of all, in the Champions League last night Barcelona won 7-1 and Messi scored 5 goals, two of which were lobs from inside the box. Now he is the first player in Champions League history to score 5 goals in one game, and he accounts for 15% of all goals Barcelona have scored in European Cup/Champions League history. A pretty special player then to say the least!
If you take a look at Messi's club stats your mind will be blown away. In 24 games in La Liga this season he has scored 28 goals. In all appearances for both club and country this season Messi has scored 53 goals in 49 appearances. The list of unbelievable stats and ridiculous records already broken goes on. What makes Messi so special is he has already done all of this and he is STILL ONLY 24!! Yes, he is all set to break Barcelona's all time goal-scoring record before he turns 25. This is also only counting his GOALS. Messi is one of the most accurate passers in the game and has had 15+ assists every season in La Liga for the past 5 years. Not only does he smash in the goals, but he lays them on for his teammates too. It's safe to say then that Messi is already up there with the greats. But is he the greatest?
Many brilliant players have graced football; from Pele to Maradona and from Cruyff to Best. Let's not also forget Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 2 more goals than Messi in La Liga this season and is a pretty special talent himself. But it's Messi's consistency of excellence over the last 5 years that has seen him propelled to be mentioned in such valor. Can we compare players across eras? Would Messi be able to cope in the more physical eras of Pele or Maradona? Would Pele and Maradona be able to cope with the faster playing style and higher fitness demands needed in today's game? All very good questions.
Some argue that Messi isn't the best as he is yet to win a World Cup. I think this argument is a load of BOLLOCKS. In Pele's day and Maradona's day there was only ever 2 or 3 top international teams at the time and a load of very good ones. In today's international football anyone from about 8 or 9 superb teams could win the World Cup, and often it goes down to luck on the day. I fully expect Messi will win a World Cup in his already glittering career as he could play for at least another 3 World Cups.
What sets Messi apart from any footballer today, and certainly Maradona, is that Messi truly is a gentleman both on and off the pitch. He never plays with a nasty streak in him, but always floats majestically around the pitch with a smile on his face, and off the pitch I hear he is an absolute gentleman to both fans and reporters. You never hear about him in any controversies or he certainly isn't a druggy or an immature person. Mario Balotelli take note on how to properly conduct yourself.
In my opinion, taking into account eras, tempo of play, opposition, statistics, records and Messi's current age, Messi is the greatest footballer ever to grace the game. If he carries on the way he is going I don't think we will ever see a player get anywhere near his records or class ever again. Messi is the King!
Hope you enjoyed my blog today and hopefully will see you soon! Follow me on twitter @rpenners1.
Regards
RPenners1
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