The "Messi: the best player in the world. Is it even up for discussion?" thread

I've the list, from when I watched all the Golden Ball (and other notable performances). Will post it when my evaluation of Messi WC22 is ready. What I remember that Maradona WC86 and Messi WC14 are the most involved performances, when it comes to importance on team goals.

For example

87,5% Messi WC14 4+1+2 from 8 team goals
85,6% Maradona WC86 5+5+2 from 14 team goals
73,0% Romario WC94 5+3+0 from 11 team goals
57,9% Pele WC70 4+6+1 from 19 team goals
50,0% Ronaldo WC98 4+3+0 from 14 team goals
50,0% Ronaldo WC02 8+1+0 from 18 team goals

 

personally, the only goals i consider valid are the ones where the player dribbles past at least two defenders and finishes with a scorpion kick. naturally, i question all other crude stats out of objective necessity.

 

You got to relax your criteria. Because, unfortunately, even without the scorpion kick, when it comes to dribbling WC goals, your idol will never make ANY list. But hey, I'll start extolling penalty goals from now. How dare I not.

 

my criteria is perfect. and my idol is still better than your idol.

 

Haha! Sorry to engage. I didn't know you were still an adolescent.

 

I've got two words.

South Africa

 

Maybe. I'll have to look at 1994 and 2002 WCs again. Nevertheless, R9 and R11 had great players all around them. In both cases, its debatable whether these were even Brazil's best players for the knockout phase.

If we're talking about the greatest individual performances of WC history, I think a big factor is to what extent did a guy carry his team along the way? That's where the performances by Mueller 2014, R9 in 2002, etc don't really compare to Messi 2022.

 

Aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill? What did Messi do in 2022 quality of football wise that merits a comparison with Romario 1994? Except 1 header, Romario's goals were pure art (some were magic), Messi's mostly penalties. In the semi-final, Romario ran through the Swedish defence in the blink of an eye (followed by a goal-line clearance) or in one instance juggled the ball past several Swedes. His dribbling runs against USA when Brazil were down to 10-men early on, and his assist to Bebeto were Maradonaesque, better than anything Messi did football wise. And, Brazil would not even qualify without Romario, let alone win it. So, the carry-the-team argument is spurious. Regarding R9, it is the same in terms of carrying the team. Without him, they almost failed to qualify; however, with him, the same team became world champions. That shows his importance and influence. However, I agree that R9 did not have as many dribbling runs or incredible passes in 2022. Romario 1994 was superior to both R9 2002 and Messi 2022. Celebrate Messi's overcoming of his past shortcomings and becoming a leader, and not capitulating under pressure, him turning up when it mattered. That is a story worth telling future generations. But masterclass of football, his performance was not.

 

His goals against Mexico and Australia were masterclasses as were his assists against Netherlands and Croatia. And funny you say not capitulating under pressure like every Joe Schmoe could make 5/5 pressure penalties.

 

better stop feeding the troll before it writes another essay

 

Two of Messi's assists and his goal against Mexico were great. But that's not enough to match Romario 1994. At least three of Romario's goals were superior to Messi's and his assists were on par as well. I still don't see how the overall Messi performance can be described as a masterclass. But as I said, I'll re-watch his games again.

 

Messi's assist vs Netherland is better than all Romario's assists in his career combined. Cmon, i love O Baixinho but this is so clear.

Romario 94 is great but Messi 2022 is better. I think the final is what separates these two.

If you feel so insecure that Messi is the greatest, then shame on you.

 

He also just won his 5th IFFHS Playmaker of the Year Award which is the most all time. Then again the award has been there since 2006.

 

I think he selects Yes.

Bringing PSG a CL would be another huge crowning achievement. And if could set a few CL records, it also wouldn't hurt. He doesn't need it but it would add to his legacy.

 

Comes from a month rest, and is still right away the best player on the field.

There's few records in crabs, like scoring records for nt (-20), cl (-11) and official career (-15).

 

I think the rest did the GOAT some good. He had a hamstring issue that he played through in the World Cup. He was fantastic with a few passes and scored a nice goal. PSG plays way too conservative though. They have to score a bunch of goals if they want to make it past Bayern.

 

That's the best timed photo if I ever saw one.