Messi

[Dreambeliever]

So who still thinks he doesn't deliever on the big occasion like Ronaldo.

What a great all round game from the little genius in a switched position through the middle.

For me at least the best footballer on the planet.

 

[Paddy]

No doubt. He was immense tonight. Was the focal point along with Iniesta to Barca's most vital attacks.

 

[ibromurph]

Iniesta's the best in the world right now. Xavi 2nd. Messi 3rd.. then it's a toss up between Stevie and Ronaldo (he's still in the top 5 despite tonight's abysmal do-it-all-myself display).

 

[El Nino]

[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=33810.msg877072#msg877072 date=1243463070]
Iniesta's the best in the world right now. Xavi 2nd. Messi 3rd.. then it's a toss up between Stevie and Ronaldo (he's still in the top 5 despite tonight's abysmal do-it-all-myself display).
[/quote]

Stevie G is better than Iniesta.

 

[redsx]

Agreed about Messi. He was amazing throughout the whole game.

Viva Barca!

 

[SaintGeorge67]

I'd rather have Gerrard.

 

[Squiggles]

Had he not scored would Messi be so wildly applauded?

Before the goal the commentators (on ITV) seldom mentioned his impact upon the game, but afterwards they were buzzing off him.

Messi's mesmeric dribbling skills weren't on show, instead we saw his intelligent passing, cunning movement and a classy finish. 

I think he played well tonight, for me he had to show he could perform against English opposition, and he did that.  But that performance was not about individuals. Too much emphasis has been made about the Messi VS Ronaldo battle, but that was all lost in what was a complete team performance from Barca.

Messi is a world-class player who played well today. I think the compliments in tomorrows press will go overboard, though.


(Though if we are to talk about individuals, it was Iniesta who shone brightest tonight)

 

[Insignificance]

Messi used his head to score... Ronaldo used his to shake it and show his deisbelief.. Who is the worthy world player?

 

[Foxwold]

Ronaldo better than Messi still anyone? Clueless morons.

 

[Delinquent]

[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=33810.msg877072#msg877072 date=1243463070]
Iniesta's the best in the world right now. Xavi 2nd. Messi 3rd.. then it's a toss up between Stevie and Ronaldo (he's still in the top 5 despite tonight's abysmal do-it-all-myself display).
[/quote]

That's some great hyperbole right there. It was an excellent performance by Barca and in particular, Iniesta, who was sublime. Let's not let get carried away though, shall we?

Xavi is a fantastic passer of the ball but he's nowhere near the other three. What's more, as great a player as Iniesta is, let's not forget that Messi has scored nearly 40 goals this season. FORTY. Of the players you've mentioned, it's between him and Gerrard.

 

[Ryan]

All this is decided on one game is it?

Ronaldo doesn't need to prove himself to anyone.

 

[ibromurph]

Hyperbole? Probably. But they've won the treble this year.. hardly one game.

 

[Glock21]

He will win the WPOTY award. I hope Gerrard be in the top 5.

 

[ibromurph]

Xavi and Iniesta.. what a year.. European Championships, Spanish League, Copa Del Rey, Champs League.. and who knows maybe Confederations cup in the next few months.. They'll definitely be in the top 5 for the Fifa player awards this year. Messi will probably win it though.

 

[Mors]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=33810.msg877048#msg877048 date=1243462152]
So who still thinks he doesn't deliever on the big occasion like Ronaldo.

What a great all round game from the little genius in a switched position through the middle.

For me at least the best footballer on the planet.
[/quote]

The answer to that one would be Brendan.

He was the best player on the planet last year aswell for anyone that bothered to watch La Liga and the Premiership without a blindfold on.

 

[VeggardSub]

for me one of ths best moments of last night was the half-time substitution of Anderson.... especially after reading a bbc Sport article vaunting him as the key player. give me Lucarse any day of the week ;-)

 

[Ryan]

Right, let's get all stupid for a second...

Who would ya take; Messi or Iniesta?

 

[IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts]

ANyone have Messi's season stats?
Last season ROnaldo did the double and 42 goals.

Messi did the treble for the first time in Spanish history and how many goals?

 

[keniget]

[quote author=IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts link=topic=33810.msg877205#msg877205 date=1243491070]
ANyone have Messi's season stats?
Last season ROnaldo did the double and 42 goals.

Messi did the treble for the first time in Spanish history and how many goals?

[/quote]

League: 27 starts 4 subs - 23 goals (4th top scorer with 1 game left)

CL: 9 starts 2 subs - 9 goals (top scorer)

Cup: 4 starts 4 subs - 6 goals (top scorer?)

 

[Mors]

[quote author=IGotALuvlyBunchOfCoconuts link=topic=33810.msg877205#msg877205 date=1243491070]
ANyone have Messi's season stats?
Last season ROnaldo did the double and 42 goals.

Messi did the treble for the first time in Spanish history and how many goals?

[/quote]

38 for the season.

 

[Pesam]

Gerrard, Iniesta, Messi and Ronaldo are all magnificent players and IMO it is almost impossible to justify naming one of them above the other three at present.

 

[foureyes]

Gerrard.

 

[Pesam]

[quote author=foureyes link=topic=33810.msg877231#msg877231 date=1243495040]
Gerrard.
[/quote]

Well I did say "almost" impossible.....

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=33810.msg877233#msg877233 date=1243495213]
[quote author=foureyes link=topic=33810.msg877231#msg877231 date=1243495040]
Gerrard.
[/quote]

Well I did say "almost" impossible.....
[/quote]

Haha.

 

[keniget]

They are all different types of players so I don't think you can compare. I wouldn't like to compare Iniesta to Xavi, let alone Messi to Gerrard.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=33810.msg877239#msg877239 date=1243496482]
They are all different types of players so I don't think you can compare. I wouldn't like to compare Iniesta to Xavi, let alone Messi to Gerrard.

[/quote]

Where would that leave all the various player of the year awards?

 

[keniget]

Where they are now - handing out the award to the player that has won the most and / or scored the most goals.

 

[foureyes]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=33810.msg877250#msg877250 date=1243497271]
Where they are now - handing out the award to the player that has won the most and / or scored the most goals.
[/quote]

Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and it's obviously not going to be for his goal scoring prowess. Followed by Gerrard in second place. What I mean is that they surely compare different players from different parts of the pitch for the same award for overall best player, so surely you can compare who is best between Iniesta, Gerrard etc etc etc. Isn't that just what these awards do?

 

[Bazza The Kopite]

Thought Messi was amazing last night. Great tactical ploy by Guardiola too to play him down the middle as it fucked Uniteds game plan right up.

I think he deserves to get the Balloon D'Or this year as he performed in the biggest game in football, not to mention the rest of the season. I do think Gerrard would have won it had Liverpool made it to the final and won. If you show you have the ability to shine in these big games then you deserve the accolade.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=foureyes link=topic=33810.msg877274#msg877274 date=1243498634]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=33810.msg877250#msg877250 date=1243497271]
Where they are now - handing out the award to the player that has won the most and / or scored the most goals.
[/quote]

Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and it's obviously not going to be for his goal scoring prowess. Followed by Gerrard in second place. What I mean is that they surely compare different players from different parts of the pitch for the same award for overall best player, so surely you can compare who is best between Iniesta, Gerrard etc etc etc. Isn't that just what these awards do?
[/quote]

Heh, I knew you'd come back with Cannavaro - how many times has a defensive player won it in the last 20 years? They're almost always attacking players who have dazzled that season.

Anyways, this board is always outraged at the picks.