Lionel Messi-Goated

[The Subhuman]

I hate the word GOAT, there's no such thing and will always argue the odds ..

But if I could time trave to watch three players it wouldn't be Messi, Maradona or Ronaldo

Pele, Cryuff and Best would be the three. Though I did watch best live twice

[Cjay]

Pele 18 years at the top

Don't be silly

Messi has more goals more assists more individual awards more trophies more records.

Pele can take a happy 2nd or 3rd with Maradona

[Cjay]

And we’re off

It's my duty to defend the honour of Leo from the wrong

[The Subhuman]

Don't be silly

Messi has more goals more assists more individual awards more trophies more records.

Pele can take a happy 2nd or 3rd with Maradona

Not being silly, Pele was the master, everyone since a copyist

[Jaydog]

Well this is a bit tame.
For me it’s major honours. Same with golf or tennis. To compare eras can only be done with what they’ve actually won. WC’s, League titles, domestic Cups etc.
But it’s all pointless in the end like so many other sports

[The Subhuman]

Well this is a bit tame.
For me it’s major honours. Same with golf or tennis. To compare eras can only be done with what they’ve actually won. WC’s, League titles, domestic Cups etc.
But it’s all pointless in the end like so many other sports

It's generational, the older you are the more players you have to equate.. CJay can't factor in Best, Cryuff, Pele, Puskas, Eusabio, and even Bobby Charlton who my dad maintained was the best he ever saw..

Stanley Matthews also comes into play...

[CUSSIE01]

I hate the word GOAT, there's no such thing and will always argue the odds ..

But if I could time trave to watch three players it wouldn't be Messi, Maradona or Ronaldo

Pele, Cryuff and Best would be the three. Though I did watch best live twice

Seen George Best playing his only competitive match on home soil for a small local team Tobermore United v Ballymena in the Irish Cup when he was 37. Didn’t make much difference as they were beaten 7-0.

[Jaydog]

It's my duty to defend the honour of Leo from the wrong

Still think it’s impossible to compare eras.
Sport including football has changed so dramatically over the decades.

Been watching the Beckham thing on Netflix, what was it with the large shirts? You could get 2 players in one back in those days.

[The Subhuman]

Best, Law, Charlton maybe the best club attacking three of all time...

Bremner should also be mentioned... Shankly was right

[Jaydog]

It's generational, the older you are the more players you have to equate.. CJay can't factor in Best, Cryuff, Pele, Puskas, Eusabio, and even Bobby Charlton who my dad maintained was the best he ever saw..

Stanley Matthews also comes into play...

Of course. It’s an impossible comparison but if you are going to do it then draw up a table of who won what.

[Jimstorrie]

It depends the quality of the opposition you face.
Muhammad Ali and Vladimir Klitschko have similar records in terms of numbers.
Ali faced Liston , Frazier & Foreman, whereas Klitschko beat bouncers from Mothercare

[mentalcase]

It depends the quality of the opposition you face.
Muhammad Ali and Vladimir Klitschko have similar records in terms of numbers.
Ali faced Liston , Frazier & Foreman, whereas Klitschko beat bouncers from Mothercare

So true

[The Subhuman]

Of course. It’s an impossible comparison but if you are going to do it then draw up a table of who won what.

Pele 3 Messi 1 - World Cups

[Jaydog]

Pele 3 Messi 1 - World Cups

That’s a good stat for Pele. The pinnacle of football. And it was a golden era after all.

[Kennyb41]

To me he's simply the most gifted individual i've ever seen grace the game of football.

It's like a ball just loved being at his feet.

[Cjay]

Pele 3 Messi 1 - World Cups

Hang on a minute!!!

Pele only played in 2 games at the 62 World Cup, missed the other 4 and wasn't even the best scorer at any of them.

Just Fontaine got 13 to Pele's 6 in 58.

Barely played at 62 so obviously didn't win that.

Eusebio was top scorer in 66

And Muller in 70.

Pele in fact wasn't even the best Brazilian top scorer at the 70 World Cup, Jairzinho was.

I've always found it odd and I don't mean to knock the man I'm sure he was great but for a players whose entire legacy is built on World Cups he never was the best striker at it.

His goal record wasn't even unique at the time.

Gerd Muller.

Joseph Biscan

Eusebio

Puskas.

He had great players around him for Brazil (something Messi is knocked for).

Always found it strange.

[Cjay]

A fitting end to a great career at the top level

[The Subhuman]

I'd imagine that was because PSG were unstoppable in the Champions league and the French Ligue 1 is the best in the world ...

[Cjay]

I'm sure the Brazilian league of the 1950s to the 1970s was filled with great teams and players and was phenomenally competitive . . . . . . .

Only had to play competitive fixtures every four years

[geronimo]

You could ask five different people who was the greatest player and they could give five different answers it's a matter of opinion
As been mentioned the older the person the more players they have seen and the more factors have to be taken in to consideration maradona was unique in my opiniion lineker said the same so ex players can vouch for anybody
Pele played in four world cups and they won three of them the 1970 side was the greatest international side I have seen Brazil were untouchable at that time
Cruyyff was a close second in my book again the Dutch side of the seventies were special nowadays it just ain't the.same less competition around easiler conditions etc after Ronaldo and Messi they is no one around they was far more better players around thirty / forty years ago the competition was far more fierce