That's very relative. I couldn't guess if they hadn't the same good performances against more historic teams or even better. Only as example, I think Messi had faced one of the best individual performances by a goalie in front of him in 2010: Enyeama. Yes, the Nigerian goalkeeper isn't a top nevertheless.
Yes, it's because you're using that basis to assume your conclusion. That's again just your opinion. My point isn't about if he could win the Ballon d'Or, but who was the best player of the year in the world. Obviously, as you also point out, no one talks about goals.
Well yes obviously that is my opinion, like yours are just your opinions. And that's also just your opinion. My point is the quality difference of the time in Argentina and Europe, he never was the best player of the world back then. The phrase big fish among small fishes fits here nicely. And he only was the best player 2 times in his stint in Europe, based on the Onze d'Or.
On the subject in general, I think it's a bit difficult to know the position of both in a general ranking, but only comparing with FW's (SS's) and free-role attackers I'd put them in this order about: 01. Pelé 02. Johan Cruyff 02. Alfredo Di Stéfano 04. Ferenc Puskás 05. Lionel Messi 06. Eusébio 07. Giuseppe Meazza 07. Matthias Sindelar 09. Cristiano Ronaldo 09. Roberto Baggio 11. László Kubala 11. Rivaldo 11. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 14. Adolfo Pedernera 14. György Sárosi
Okay, so then by repute, who was universally hailed as the world's greatest player in the world between 1979-1982? Please provide not only some random rankings, but literally the views from experts that claimed that such and such player was widely considered the best player in the game. Please provide expert statements or publications from sources across the globe between those years (can be in any languages), not only polls which are based on circumstances of events, but based on opinions by professionals from that period that assessed the qualities of players from around the planet. Much will be appreciated.
That's just your opinion. The list is already pretty daft, when you have Puskas and Di Stefano ahead of Messi.
What it actually shows is your complete lack of logical and relative understanding, and which actually is the true knowledge.
As everyone, from a user of BigSoccer to the most renowned analyst. You won't find another type of estimate unless you reduce it to statistics, but you need to know to use those and for that you still need your own opinion (but become ineffective as you showed in the comparison between Messi and Eusébio).
Not some random "expert statements" but the collective statements, Ballon d'Or and Onze d'Or: 1979 Keegan 1980 Rummenigge 1981 Rummenigge 1982 Rossi Those are what were collectively hailed as greatest players in that time span, excluding ineligible players. Maradona was non entity in CA79 and WC82 so there goes those years. And Rummenigge was definitely better in 1980 and 1981. Maradona needed 3 years in Europe to crack top 3 in Onze d'Or, which would've never happened such way if he was already thought to be collectively the best player.
Good effort, but since Maradona was ineligible for the Onze d'Or between 1979 and 1981 (in 1982 just only played a half of the year in Europe) that argument become meaningless.
I just remembered that this is the same guy who claimed Messi was the best defender in the world a few weeks back!!
Those were European awards, only eligible to European players, or players playing in Europe. But I have made a specific question: Where is your sources that confirm between the years of 1979-1982 - which included South American players - of whom was considered the greatest player in the world? Not the greatest player in Europe...Please provide sources.
I think you haven't read your own quote. By the way, the Onze d'Or is an annual award (chronological year), isn't seasonal. At least you should know the terms of the award what are you basing your opinion.
Like I said, excluding ineligible players. I already provided argument why Maradona would've never been in contention for 79-82 against the eligible winners of those years.