Speed and physical attributes decline when you get older. Cr7 should decline more when het gets 30+, still has great positioning so he could become a very good striker. Messi should keep his level up longer cause technique stays for a very long time.
Only in a counter formation, a selfish striker added to the attack will absolutely lead to nothing. Perez can pull Makalele part 3 by selling Benzema or Di Maria and add Suarez or Falcao, really hope it happens.
Im no longer bothered by his celebrations, I expect it every time he scores so it has become his natural response.
What does bother me is how a lot of people are now labelling Messi a has-been, I really hope he scores a hattrick or more tonight just to shut those idiots up.
I don't think Messi deserved to win in 2010 either but people do underestimate that year, as if it was an average poor year, Messi's 2010> 2013 for example.
This isnt something new though, I remember Brasilians playing for other countries before. E.G. Mehmet Aurelio for Turkey (even changed his name!), Luis Oliveira for Belgium or even Senna for Spain.
However its a matter of time before Qatar type nations start pulling in young Brasilians so that...
They will figure out he is Brazilian when he is playing there with Spain right? must get some media-attention.
Imagine him scoring the winner against Brasil in the final.