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And precisely 0% of the goals scored at the Bet365 Stadium4.000 goals have been scored at the Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi has scored or assisted 10% of them.
Never scored against Chelsea?And precisely 0% of the goals scored at the Bet365 Stadium
Maradona won the World Cup in '78 over the Netherlands who were missing their best player in a tournament hosted by Argentina's military dictatorship. He won the World Cup in '86 by blatantly cheating and punching the ball into the back of the net. In terms of his club success, Barcelona bought him for a world record fee, and then Napoli bought him for a world record fee in the midst of a massive spending spree, and ultimately he won 2 Italian titles and no European Cups. He was an amazing player, I'm sure (obviously wasn't around to watch him in his prime, so all I have to go on his highlights), but I think it's really unfair to dismiss Messi's achievements because of the money poured into Barca and praise Maradona as though the money in his day didn't matter.He was, but now he's gone all hipster he's lost his edge...
It's all about Maradona anyway. The money spent on these elite teams makes it easier for the likes of Ronnie and Messi imo
Maradona won the World Cup in '78 over the Netherlands who were missing their best player in a tournament hosted by Argentina's military dictatorship. He won the World Cup in '86 by blatantly cheating and punching the ball into the back of the net. In terms of his club success, Barcelona bought him for a world record fee, and then Napoli bought him for a world record fee in the midst of a massive spending spree, and ultimately he won 2 Italian titles and no European Cups. He was an amazing player, I'm sure (obviously wasn't around to watch him in his prime, so all I have to go on his highlights), but I think it's really unfair to dismiss Messi's achievements because of the money poured into Barca and praise Maradona as though the money in his day didn't matter.
A lot of it is nostalgia if i'm honest, and Maradona stood out against the rest so was head and shoulders above all the others. I don't feel that way about Messi, although you could argue the quality is higher generally. We'll never really know in fairness will we? But for an Englishmen to say he's a the best ever when he put us out of a WC? Not really sure what that even means, but the night he did the hand of god I was ten, and I was wearing a Maradona Argentina shirt that very night hah! I was on holiday in Mallorca with my family at the time.Maradona won the World Cup in '78 over the Netherlands who were missing their best player in a tournament hosted by Argentina's military dictatorship. He won the World Cup in '86 by blatantly cheating and punching the ball into the back of the net. In terms of his club success, Barcelona bought him for a world record fee, and then Napoli bought him for a world record fee in the midst of a massive spending spree, and ultimately he won 2 Italian titles and no European Cups. He was an amazing player, I'm sure (obviously wasn't around to watch him in his prime, so all I have to go on his highlights), but I think it's really unfair to dismiss Messi's achievements because of the money poured into Barca and praise Maradona as though the money in his day didn't matter.
Messi is still fouled a hell of a lot.You don't see Messi (who is the best player of today) have to put up with that.
unfair to dismiss messi but you do exactly the same to maradona.Maradona won the World Cup in '78 over the Netherlands who were missing their best player in a tournament hosted by Argentina's military dictatorship. He won the World Cup in '86 by blatantly cheating and punching the ball into the back of the net. In terms of his club success, Barcelona bought him for a world record fee, and then Napoli bought him for a world record fee in the midst of a massive spending spree, and ultimately he won 2 Italian titles and no European Cups. He was an amazing player, I'm sure (obviously wasn't around to watch him in his prime, so all I have to go on his highlights), but I think it's really unfair to dismiss Messi's achievements because of the money poured into Barca and praise Maradona as though the money in his day didn't matter.
The modern day player draws a foul, he's protected and will get his foul, the opposing player barely needs to touch and as we have all seen so much of the contact nowadays is from the attacking player initiating it (all players look for this), IMO this is the biggest difference from Messi's day to Maradona's. (The only time he was left without anyone laying a hand on him was his dribble against England who all blew kisses to him as he went past).Messi is still fouled a hell of a lot.
Tournaments like the Champions League?It'd be ridiculous to call someone the greatest player ever, who has never won an international tournament. Tournaments is what makes players remembered.
That's simply not true. The year before his debut Barcelona were in crisis, finishing 6th, 22 points behind Real Madrid. Messi, with Guardiola, has been the catalyst for the greatest club side in the history of the game reaching their peaks. Messi was established as one of the best in the world as a teenager, Maradona not until his early 20's.From the day he made his debut for Barca they have been one of the greatest teams in the World with quality in every position.
Don't fool yourself. The 1986 WC is what made Maradona the legendary figure he is today, if he hadn't won that, then he wouldn't even have a quarter of the recognition he gets today. The 1970 WC also made Pele. 1998 WC made Zidane. 1988 Euros gave Gullit and Van Basten that legendary status, they have today.Tournaments like the Champions League?
The CL is now, and has been for a very long time, the highest quality competition on the planet. The last time the World Cup was, was probably 1998. The cost of expanding and expanding the competition.
There are many greats that never won an international tournament. Cruyff, Best, Zico, Puskas, Eusebio, Maldini. Being the best player ever, is about being the best PLAYER ever. It's attributes, what you can do with the ball. Many a shithouse has a won a World Cup.
Ok, but then why is Cruyff rated higher than Van Basten and Gullit then?Don't fool yourself. The 1986 WC is what made Maradona the legendary figure he is today, if he hadn't won that, then he wouldn't even have a quarter of the recognition he gets today. The 1970 WC also made Pele. 1998 WC made Zidane. 1988 Euros gave Gullit and Van Basten that legendary status, they have today.
In France, Platini is considered one of the greatest players to come out of that country but he's never held in a higher regard than Zidane because Platini had never won the WC, where as Zidane has. This isn't what I support or believe, but history judges players based on their international contributions, hate it or not.
I would say Cruyff is the only exception to the rule, although he has reached 2 WC Finals.Ok, but they why is Cruyff rated higher than Van Basten and Gullit then?
Yes, I agree about the Maradona thing, but see above, where I've compared his achievements to Ronaldo. His achievements pale in comparison. Yet, Maradona is more esteemed. The romance of Maradona, the hand, the slaloming goal, the God of Argentina, clouds the fact he wasn't that player for the 12 years that Messi has been and only won major trophies in a 6 year period. What a period it was, granted, but being that good for 12 years is a far harder achievement. Being the best in the world at 19 through to 30 is insane.