Lionel "The Greatest of All Time" Messi V2
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
Gnidrologist
Senior Member
Indeed. He looks like perfectly capable to be a great asset at 2026WC unlike some other veterans, who just keep blackmailing their NTs to have them for their own personal glory.
The way he manipulates the ball, space around him. Sorry Yamal but this grandpa is still the best dribbler in the world.
Maradona37
Well-known member
He seems to play at least one incredible pass every game. Obviously he hasn't got the explosiveness he did, but get legs around him, get the ball to him anywhere, and he can still dribble or pick out a beautiful pass.
I love how he plays the through balls inside defenders. Obviously an infinitely lower level (lol) but I try to do the same thing when I play football - look to play cute little balls inside and between defenders and take them out of the game completely. He's so intelligent on the pitch, with great vision. Just a beautiful footballer to watch.
Edit - also, that pass is yet another example where if the cross is converted and not blocked, that awesome pass receives no credit as a goal or assist. Because he plays much deeper and much more substantially than certain other players. He's been doing those 'pre assists' for years.
I love how he plays the through balls inside defenders. Obviously an infinitely lower level (lol) but I try to do the same thing when I play football - look to play cute little balls inside and between defenders and take them out of the game completely. He's so intelligent on the pitch, with great vision. Just a beautiful footballer to watch.
Edit - also, that pass is yet another example where if the cross is converted and not blocked, that awesome pass receives no credit as a goal or assist. Because he plays much deeper and much more substantially than certain other players. He's been doing those 'pre assists' for years.
Maradona37
Well-known member
To be so insane statistically AND the best footballer in the world (by a long way) on the eye test.Plays so deep yet has the most G+A in football history at a staggering 1250.
You need 21 straight years of 60 G+A each to reach this level of production. Yes, 21 straight
The guy is just something we have never seen before. I do believe Maradona is equal on talent but obviously never put up those numbers. We don't know if he could have in the hyper stats era, and we never will. But what Messi has done for two decades now is really quite unparalleled.
I have never seen someone marry goals, assists (and what create those) vision, passing, dribbling, upper body strength, balance, ability in tight spaces, football IQ, finishing, free-kicks, chipping to this level. Yet people say he isn't as complete as some others.
He's literally in the argument (or undisputed in some) for the greatest of all time at everything there
Not to bring up THAT guy again, but no idea how people compare them as if they are peers. This guy is on a level well of his own in this generation.
soul24rage
Senior Member
FinBarcelonafan
Well-known member
Plays so deep yet has the most G+A in football history at a staggering 1250.
You need 21 straight years of 60 G+A each to reach this level of production. Yes, 21 straight
This is so unbelievable
I doubt they will award this but the meltdown will be historic (for something so obvious lol).
Haraldinho
Well-known member
The stupid fanbase will disappear after that. Imagine world cup 26 + this super ballon d'or.
Don Juan Laporta Estruch
Basta yaaaaaaa, Cabron ! y Bona nit 🥂
Madre Mia, he looks as sharp as a tack. He played brilliantly. Looked dangerous every time he had the ball.
It doesn't help that he has a cripple playing up top with him, when he needs pace and movement around him to get on the end of his through balls.
He was basically playing alone. So much so that he was shooting direct from corner kicks. Only denied a late winner from an incredible shot from near the touchline, by a wonder save.
He will still be a major factor in the World Cup. I'd take him back in an instant if we didn't already have Lamine.
It doesn't help that he has a cripple playing up top with him, when he needs pace and movement around him to get on the end of his through balls.
He was basically playing alone. So much so that he was shooting direct from corner kicks. Only denied a late winner from an incredible shot from near the touchline, by a wonder save.
He will still be a major factor in the World Cup. I'd take him back in an instant if we didn't already have Lamine.
Still the world best. I mean, who even attempt this in today football
soul24rage
Senior Member
This guy defending 1 vs 4 at the 95th minute.
Who says that he doesn't help out in defense?
Who says that he doesn't help out in defense?
Maradona37
Well-known member
As has been alluded to on here, he was running a bit more out of possession and getting back on occasion. At one moment he was at right-back and got skinned, lol.
Quite surprising that a guy who is 38 in 9 days has the strength and energy to do that as much as he did last night. I think he knows he carries this team hugely and is trying to do as much as he possibly can. I mean don't get me wrong, he's no defensive master, but was good to see him working hard last night.
As for the rest of the Miami team, they're pretty poor. Suarez especially offers absolutely nothing. One thing I noticed last night is a lot of them take heavy first touches. It's a very stark contrast to when the ball comes to Messi and he kills it instantly and it is glued to his feet. For both teams actually there were times when there could have been an opening but a heavy touch in good space gave the defender a chance to get it. Compare that to Messi who can dribble and manipulate a ball in a phone box.
Quite surprising that a guy who is 38 in 9 days has the strength and energy to do that as much as he did last night. I think he knows he carries this team hugely and is trying to do as much as he possibly can. I mean don't get me wrong, he's no defensive master, but was good to see him working hard last night.
As for the rest of the Miami team, they're pretty poor. Suarez especially offers absolutely nothing. One thing I noticed last night is a lot of them take heavy first touches. It's a very stark contrast to when the ball comes to Messi and he kills it instantly and it is glued to his feet. For both teams actually there were times when there could have been an opening but a heavy touch in good space gave the defender a chance to get it. Compare that to Messi who can dribble and manipulate a ball in a phone box.
Home of Barca Fans
