top five players

[Dr. Know]

Divided into club and NT performances for the past year or so:

For NT:
1) Mascherano
2) Riquelme
3) Demichelis
4) Messi
5) Zanetti

Club:

1) Cambiasso
2) Messi
3) Mascherano
4) Aguero
5) Riquelme/Demichelis

[Twix]

^^^ What rank would Tevez come in for Club and NT?

[bosterosoy]

^^^ What rank would Tevez come in for Club and NT?

Exactly Dr Know, you missed a very important player that is definitely at least top 5

[Dr. Know]

Exactly Dr Know, you missed a very important player that is definitely at least top 5

Tevez is one of my favorite players but in terms of NT performances Tevez hasn't performed at the level of the 5 other players mentioned over the past year or so.

At the club level he could definitely slide into the top 5.

[Moishe]

More like:

1. Messi
2. Mascherano
3. Riquelme
4. Demichelis
5. Cambiasso

By virtue of what factors does Messi warrant to be at the #1 spot? Raw talent or are you using actual results and if so which ones?

Tevez is one of my favorite players but in terms of NT performances Tevez hasn't performed at the level of the 5 other players mentioned over the past year or so.

At the club level he could definitely slide into the top 5.

I agree that the form of Carlitos at the national team level has really left much to be desired regardless of the factors behind it. At the club level though he was huge for ManU this past term and for that matter every club he's been at. I optimistic that with some rest he'll come out for the NT and regain the form we saw a couple of years back. I would definitely put him ahead of Cambiasso whom I also like very much but even so don't feel he's been better or more influential at Inter than Pupi Zanetti.

[phil80]

Club:

1) Cambiasso
2) Messi
3) Mascherano
4) Aguero
5) Riquelme/Demichelis

have you watched any man utd games this year? tevez is without question top 5 club form
By virtue of what factors does Messi warrant to be at the #1 spot? Raw talent or are you using actual results and if so which ones?
.
If it is raw talent, messi should be at 1

[Twix]

Tevez is one of my favorite players but in terms of NT performances Tevez hasn't performed at the level of the 5 other players mentioned over the past year or so.

At the club level he could definitely slide into the top 5.

have you watched any man utd games this year? tevez is without question top 5 club form
*sigh*

[phil80]

*sigh*
at first he didnt include him and then says he 'could' be in the top 5. i replied he is without question in the top 5. Try to keep up

[Moishe]

If it is raw talent, messi should be at 1

Within the realm of talent Messi is without a doubt at another level. His potential is probably the best I've seen since Maradona but clearly not near Maradonas abilities.

Messi has shown some major glimpses at just how great he can be. He still needs to show consistency, the ability to truly carry a side and most importantly the ability to play the majority of a season including cups and national team obligations without injury. For now I think many unfairly overrate by virtue of what he can be and not what he really is.

[Twix]

at first he didnt include him and then says he 'could' be in the top 5. i replied he is without question in the top 5. Try to keep up
*sigh*.

[jerrito]

For now I think many unfairly overrate by virtue of what he can be and not what he really is.

I am guilty of that myself. In my opinion he is the most enjoyable player to watch in the modern game. His touch alone is something worth paying money to see. But I agree that he has to play more and do more to be great.

[Dr. Know]

I would definitely put him ahead of Cambiasso whom I also like very much but even so don't feel he's been better or more influential at Inter than Pupi Zanetti.

I dunno. I'm not that big a fan of Cambiasso but his influence in Inter cannot be denied. He's actually quite underrated in that regard. This season he even added more goalscoring to his repertoire. He was their most influential midfield player imo.

*sigh*.

I know.

[Moishe]

I dunno. I'm not that big a fan of Cambiasso but his influence in Inter cannot be denied. He's actually quite underrated in that regard. This season he even added more goalscoring to his repertoire. He was their most influential midfield player imo.

It is a good debate no doubt. I personally would defer to an Inter fan due to a bit less bias. Either way they're both Argentino so we win:)

[KumarsS]

By virtue of what factors does Messi warrant to be at the #1 spot? Raw talent or are you using actual results and if so which ones?

I suppose it's entirely subjective but my reasoning is, which of these players would be most likely to come out and play at a high level for Argentina if they were to play an important match tomorrow. Actual results obviously influence this to a great degree, but overall it's just the level of expectation and the impact that they characteristically have on games.

[Moishe]

I suppose it's entirely subjective but my reasoning is, which of these players would be most likely to come out and play at a high level for Argentina if they were to play an important match tomorrow. Actual results obviously influence this to a great degree, but overall it's just the level of expectation and the impact that they characteristically have on games.

Thanks for the response. I respect your opinion but I'm not so sure Messi is a clear cut to come out and play at a high or the highest level. He can as can the rest of those other players it's just aside from some beautiful moments, I'd prefer a whole lot more from Leo.

[luciana redondo]

Thanks for the response. I respect your opinion but I'm not so sure Messi is a clear cut to come out and play at a high or the highest level. He can as can the rest of those other players it's just aside from some beautiful moments, I'd prefer a whole lot more from Leo.

I agree with you in some cases...But I think Leo's ability is well-known, he creates more scoring opportunities and score more goals..

[phil80]

I'd prefer a whole lot more from Leo.
In what way? At times him and Iniesta seemed like the only players that created anything for Barca and with Argentina he has been their best performing player the last five games or so (even in games like brazil when he was not at his best he looked like the most dangerous player on the pitch). He has been playing with some unmotivated (dinho, deco) and underperforming players (cruz, henry) for both club and country but he has remained in good form (ie against man utd he looked like the only barca player that was leaving everything on the pitch). Granted, his injuries are a major issue but when he is on the pitch, i dont think you can ask much more from him (with exception of a few games here and there)

[Moishe]

In what way? At times him and Iniesta seemed like the only players that created anything for Barca and with Argentina he has been their best performing player the last five games or so (even in games like brazil when he was not at his best he looked like the most dangerous player on the pitch). He has been playing with some unmotivated (dinho, deco) and underperforming players (cruz, henry) for both club and country but he has remained in good form (ie against man utd he looked like the only barca player that was leaving everything on the pitch). Granted, his injuries are a major issue but when he is on the pitch, i dont think you can ask much more from him (with exception of a few games here and there)

Messi has yet to show a fire in his gut that will take him to the next level. The skill is there and his vision, off the ball movement....will likely all improve considerably but he really hasn't shown me that corazon y juevos of a champion.

He has played very well for Barca, I'm not disputing that but what did it get them in the end. Let's see some true accomplishments beyond the obvious talent before we blow his status out of proportion. Also he's played well for the national team but to say he's been our best player over the past however many matches is a bit of a stretch. Our anchor is and has been Mascherano and personally Messi has done okay but nothing awe inspiring. If you want considerable improvement just look to Gago. Messi has been Messi. That's awesome but based on the hype being thrown around I expect more.

[phil80]

fair enough, i just think that people tend to overlook his impact when the team does not do well (especially for barca). It is like a few years ago when kaka looked like the only motivated player for milan (even before his player of the year award)

[wassim]

c , ronaldo

messi

arshavin

p , scholes

ribery