Zidane is the best player of the last 20 years and no one else even comes close. He is the only one who deserves to play in the same league as Maradona & Pele.
Zidane 2006 vs Messi 2014 who was better
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Originally Posted by Flat Matt:
“Maradona was a better player than Messi.
You don't define how good a player is by how many trophies they win. That says more about a team than an individual. If we're going by that kind of logic, every German player is better than Messi because they have a World Cup win and he doesn't.
It's about the individual contribution a player makes to the teams he plays for and whether they deliver on the big occasions. Maradona made a huge contribution to the teams he played for and delivered the kind of World Cup performances Messi can only dream of.
Don't get me wrong, Messi is very good, but this World Cup was his chance to put himself up there with the likes of Maradona, Pele and the rest, but he fell short.”
“Maradona was a better player than Messi.
You don't define how good a player is by how many trophies they win. That says more about a team than an individual. If we're going by that kind of logic, every German player is better than Messi because they have a World Cup win and he doesn't.
It's about the individual contribution a player makes to the teams he plays for and whether they deliver on the big occasions. Maradona made a huge contribution to the teams he played for and delivered the kind of World Cup performances Messi can only dream of.
Don't get me wrong, Messi is very good, but this World Cup was his chance to put himself up there with the likes of Maradona, Pele and the rest, but he fell short.”
Well obviously you do. But a man with such a consistently phenomenal goalscoring record is unheard of since the days of Pele. He was the top scorer in the world's biggest club competition for four years consecutively and has been the Ballon D'Or winner four times. I think overall, he's a better footballer than Maradona.
ZIDANE 2006 was sooooo beautiful.
to see a true great trying to wring the last bit of sweat of talent from his career
i really do wish he didn't headbutt that nob and won the cup instead.
I do think Zidane is the most stunning footballer to watch, I fackin love him, yes I am very drunk, but he was sooooo fab
to see a true great trying to wring the last bit of sweat of talent from his career
i really do wish he didn't headbutt that nob and won the cup instead.
I do think Zidane is the most stunning footballer to watch, I fackin love him, yes I am very drunk, but he was sooooo fab
Originally Posted by Flat Matt:
“Ronaldo didn't deliver either. Some nice touches and glimpses of his class, but he was disappointing.
However, Ronaldo was playing in a vastly inferior team to the one Messi was playing in and only got three games. Messi's team made it all the way to the final and he still couldn't muster much after the group stages.
Messi is a very good player and probably the best attacking player of his generation, but the likes of Pele, Maradona, Zidane and the rest produced the goods big time on the biggest stage of all. When their opportunities came they took them and left no doubt as to their greatness. Messi had the opportunity to do that at this World Cup, but he fell short.
He'll only be 31 at the next World Cup and he might do it then. I see no reason why he couldn't do it. As he matures he might well add even more to his game and take Russia by storm. The opportunity is still there for him.”
“Ronaldo didn't deliver either. Some nice touches and glimpses of his class, but he was disappointing.
However, Ronaldo was playing in a vastly inferior team to the one Messi was playing in and only got three games. Messi's team made it all the way to the final and he still couldn't muster much after the group stages.
Messi is a very good player and probably the best attacking player of his generation, but the likes of Pele, Maradona, Zidane and the rest produced the goods big time on the biggest stage of all. When their opportunities came they took them and left no doubt as to their greatness. Messi had the opportunity to do that at this World Cup, but he fell short.
He'll only be 31 at the next World Cup and he might do it then. I see no reason why he couldn't do it. As he matures he might well add even more to his game and take Russia by storm. The opportunity is still there for him.”
Oh fair enough. I dont think ronaldo was in a much inferior team though. Was a portugal team that went to the semi finals of 2012 euros and shouldve beat the all conquering spain only losing out on penalties. Argentina do have better players though.
I never seen maradona, pele etc but messi is the best ive ever seen, not doing it today wont change that
How can anyone seriously say Messi was as good (or better 
) than Zidane?! Do people just not remember Zidane?
) than Zidane?! Do people just not remember Zidane?
Originally Posted by DangerBrother:
“ZIDANE 2006 was sooooo beautiful.
to see a true great trying to wring the last bit of sweat of talent from his career
i really do wish he didn't headbutt that nob and won the cup instead.
I do think Zidane is the most stunning footballer to watch, I fackin love him, yes I am very drunk, but he was sooooo fab”
“ZIDANE 2006 was sooooo beautiful.
to see a true great trying to wring the last bit of sweat of talent from his career
i really do wish he didn't headbutt that nob and won the cup instead.
I do think Zidane is the most stunning footballer to watch, I fackin love him, yes I am very drunk, but he was sooooo fab”
This. Best footballer I have ever seen (never saw Maradona live).
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Anyone seriously comparing Zidane's performance in 2006 to Messi's performance in 2014 needs to go back and re-watch Zidane's participation in the knock out stages of 2006. He was absolutely phenomenal and there could never be a dispute about whether Zidane played well or not - he was on fire and carried France on his back to the final where he was also the absolutely best player on the field and almost cracked Italy's impenetrable defence.
I accept that Holland did not give Messi a chance because Vlaar was unbeatable, but funnily enough the Germans gave Messi plenty of opportunity to shine. He didn't take advantage of it. Maybe it is destined for Messi to never win a World Cup because he would have been regarded greater than Maradona, which he is not.
Argentina needed Maradona tonight.”
“Anyone seriously comparing Zidane's performance in 2006 to Messi's performance in 2014 needs to go back and re-watch Zidane's participation in the knock out stages of 2006. He was absolutely phenomenal and there could never be a dispute about whether Zidane played well or not - he was on fire and carried France on his back to the final where he was also the absolutely best player on the field and almost cracked Italy's impenetrable defence.
I accept that Holland did not give Messi a chance because Vlaar was unbeatable, but funnily enough the Germans gave Messi plenty of opportunity to shine. He didn't take advantage of it. Maybe it is destined for Messi to never win a World Cup because he would have been regarded greater than Maradona, which he is not.
Argentina needed Maradona tonight.”
I'll tell you what I think Messi lacks: he lacks the elegance and poise of Zidane and Maradona, and he also lacks the downright cheek of Pele and Maradona.
Maradona had the arrogance and nerve to match his skills. I remember once watching him beat the last defender, then go around the keeper and have an open goal at his mercy. Instead of just tapping the ball into the empty net, he stood there with his foot on the ball and waited for another defender to get back, so he could beat him as well before scoring. He did things like that all the time and it's the kind of thing that sets him and others apart. Pele had that kind of cheek as well and both of them made everything look so easy like anyone could do it.
Messi beats people incredibly well and has amazingly quick feet, but you can see how hard he is having to work for it. Maradona almost looked like he was skipping past people effortlessly, as did Pele - and Zidane had elegance and composure on the ball that Messi just doesn't seem to have yet.
I don't think we've seen the best of Messi yet, though. I think as he ages and can't rely so heavily on sheer pace, he will add more trickery to his game and maturity could also improve him mentally. I wouldn't rule out Messi doing something special in 4 years time.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“How can anyone seriously say Messi was as good (or better ) than Zidane?! Do people just not remember Zidane?”
“How can anyone seriously say Messi was as good (or better
) than Zidane?! Do people just not remember Zidane?”
Because it's a perfectly acceptable opinion to hold and for most people, Messi will be remembered as the greater player, as great as Zidane was.
Originally Posted by Flat Matt:
“I'll tell you what I think Messi lacks: he lacks the elegance and poise of Zidane and Maradona, and he also lacks the downright cheek of Pele and Maradona.
Maradona had the arrogance and nerve to match his skills. I remember once watching him beat the last defender, then go around the keeper and have an open goal at his mercy. Instead of just tapping the ball into the empty net, he stood there with his foot on the ball and waited for another defender to get back, so he could beat him as well before scoring. He did things like that all the time and it's the kind of thing that sets him and others apart. Pele had that kind of cheek as well and both of them made everything look so easy like anyone could do it.
Messi beats people incredibly well and has amazingly quick feet, but you can see how hard he is having to work for it. Maradona almost looked like he was skipping past people effortlessly, as did Pele - and Zidane had elegance and composure on the ball that Messi just doesn't seem to have yet.
I don't think we've seen the best of Messi yet, though. I think as he ages and can't rely so heavily on sheer pace, he will add more trickery to his game and maturity could also improve him mentally. I wouldn't rule out Messi doing something special in 4 years time.”
“I'll tell you what I think Messi lacks: he lacks the elegance and poise of Zidane and Maradona, and he also lacks the downright cheek of Pele and Maradona.
Maradona had the arrogance and nerve to match his skills. I remember once watching him beat the last defender, then go around the keeper and have an open goal at his mercy. Instead of just tapping the ball into the empty net, he stood there with his foot on the ball and waited for another defender to get back, so he could beat him as well before scoring. He did things like that all the time and it's the kind of thing that sets him and others apart. Pele had that kind of cheek as well and both of them made everything look so easy like anyone could do it.
Messi beats people incredibly well and has amazingly quick feet, but you can see how hard he is having to work for it. Maradona almost looked like he was skipping past people effortlessly, as did Pele - and Zidane had elegance and composure on the ball that Messi just doesn't seem to have yet.
I don't think we've seen the best of Messi yet, though. I think as he ages and can't rely so heavily on sheer pace, he will add more trickery to his game and maturity could also improve him mentally. I wouldn't rule out Messi doing something special in 4 years time.”
Interesting perspective. I always considered Messi to be a superior player to Ronaldo because I thought he was the more natural and effortless of the two. Very few footballers have the sheer swagger of previous greats, though I think Messi at his best undoubtedly has. Perhaps it has come with the game being more regimented than it was in the past. That sort of style is certainly something that the current Brazil time lack sorely, for all the talk of samba and joga bonito before their harsh reality check.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Because it's a perfectly acceptable opinion to hold and for most people, Messi will be remembered as the greater player, as great as Zidane was.”
“Because it's a perfectly acceptable opinion to hold and for most people, Messi will be remembered as the greater player, as great as Zidane was.”
Sorry, I disagree completely. Zidane was great at club level and won everything there was to be won, but that's not what most people remember him for. On the biggest stage of all when it mattered most, he brought the goods. He was always the best player on the pitch when France needed him most. I cannot think of a time when he wasn't magical. Messi is just completely different calibre of player. It's like you're comparing a Lamborghini to a Toyota. A Toyota is a good car, but a Lamborghini is special.
Cristiano Ronaldo (as much as I love him) is not in the same league as Zidane either. Maybe Messi and Ronaldo can battle it out for best players who never deliver when it matters, but neither are in the same category as Zidane.
Originally Posted by gladiator18:
“Oh fair enough. I dont think ronaldo was in a much inferior team though. Was a portugal team that went to the semi finals of 2012 euros and shouldve beat the all conquering spain only losing out on penalties. Argentina do have better players though.
I never seen maradona, pele etc but messi is the best ive ever seen, not doing it today wont change that”
“Oh fair enough. I dont think ronaldo was in a much inferior team though. Was a portugal team that went to the semi finals of 2012 euros and shouldve beat the all conquering spain only losing out on penalties. Argentina do have better players though.
I never seen maradona, pele etc but messi is the best ive ever seen, not doing it today wont change that”
Don't get me wrong, Messi is a very good player. He's the kind of player who makes you worry when he gets the ball. I was supporting Germany tonight and whenever Messi got the ball I was worried because I know what he can do. Fortunately, Germany managed to stop him tonight, but they had to work hard at it the same as Holland did. As I say, he's extremely good and I hope he gets better and better. The trouble is, he's always going to be likened to Maradona and that is one huge pair of boots to fill. He's an almost impossible act to follow.
I missed out on Pele, but I consider myself very lucky to have seen Maradona - especially in '86. I knew I was watching someone very special who was going down in history as possibly the best player of all time. Maradona is one player who didn't disappoint and more than lived up to the hype. I've not seen anyone since who has come close to Maradona.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Because it's a perfectly acceptable opinion to hold and for most people, Messi will be remembered as the greater player, as great as Zidane was.”
“Because it's a perfectly acceptable opinion to hold and for most people, Messi will be remembered as the greater player, as great as Zidane was.”
We are talking about for this tournament though.
Germany didn't even stop Messi tonight like Holland did in the semi-final. They almost tried to give him an opportunity to shine, but he never did.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Sorry, I disagree completely. Zidane was great at club level and won everything there was to be won, but that's not what most people remember him for. On the biggest stage of all when it mattered most, he brought the goods. He was always the best player on the pitch when France needed him most. I cannot think of a time when he wasn't magical. Messi is just completely different calibre of player. It's like you're comparing a Lamborghini to a Toyota. A Toyota is a good car, but a Lamborghini is special.”
“Sorry, I disagree completely. Zidane was great at club level and won everything there was to be won, but that's not what most people remember him for. On the biggest stage of all when it mattered most, he brought the goods. He was always the best player on the pitch when France needed him most. I cannot think of a time when he wasn't magical. Messi is just completely different calibre of player. It's like you're comparing a Lamborghini to a Toyota. A Toyota is a good car, but a Lamborghini is special.”
Absurd.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Cristiano Ronaldo (as much as I love him) is not in the same league as Zidane either. Maybe Messi and Ronaldo can battle it out for best players who never deliver when it matters, but neither are in the same category as Zidane.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo (as much as I love him) is not in the same league as Zidane either. Maybe Messi and Ronaldo can battle it out for best players who never deliver when it matters, but neither are in the same category as Zidane.”
Yep, both players having been the top scorer in the European Cup in the past and having both scored in two different finals each never really delivered when it mattered. Idiocy.
Please re-watch Zidane against Brazil in 2006 or Zidane against Italy in 2006 and you will see that it is on a completely different planet to Messi's performance. (That wasn't a joke Brazilian side by the way - Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Adriano etc etc)
I cannot remember anyone in 2006 arguing over whether or not Zidane played well. It was obvious to everyone that he was incredible. He needed no validation.
I cannot remember anyone in 2006 arguing over whether or not Zidane played well. It was obvious to everyone that he was incredible. He needed no validation.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Interesting perspective. I always considered Messi to be a superior player to Ronaldo because I thought he was the more natural and effortless of the two. Very few footballers have the sheer swagger of previous greats, though I think Messi at his best undoubtedly has. Perhaps it has come with the game being more regimented than it was in the past. That sort of style is certainly something that the current Brazil time lack sorely, for all the talk of samba and joga bonito before their harsh reality check.”
“Interesting perspective. I always considered Messi to be a superior player to Ronaldo because I thought he was the more natural and effortless of the two. Very few footballers have the sheer swagger of previous greats, though I think Messi at his best undoubtedly has. Perhaps it has come with the game being more regimented than it was in the past. That sort of style is certainly something that the current Brazil time lack sorely, for all the talk of samba and joga bonito before their harsh reality check.”
I can't disagree with that. Messi has masses of natural ability and his close control is a joy to watch when he's at his best, but he's just missing something. I don't think he has the arrogance and confidence of the likes of Maradona or Pele... yet.
At the end of the day, he's still pretty young and has plenty of time to add more to his game. This World Cup wasn't the be all and end all for Messi. I'm sure there's plenty more to come.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Yep, both players having been the top scorer in the European Cup in the past and having both scored in two different finals each never really delivered when it mattered. Idiocy.”
“Yep, both players having been the top scorer in the European Cup in the past and having both scored in two different finals each never really delivered when it mattered. Idiocy.”
They can be the best players ever in their clubs, but unfortunately history will remember that they could not perform on the world stage and as much as people pretend that club football is more important - it is not. Many players have won the Champions League (including Zidane) but they would all give away all their club titles to lift the World Cup.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Well obviously you do. But a man with such a consistently phenomenal goalscoring record is unheard of since the days of Pele. He was the top scorer in the world's biggest club competition for four years consecutively and has been the Ballon D'Or winner four times. I think overall, he's a better footballer than Maradona.”
“Well obviously you do. But a man with such a consistently phenomenal goalscoring record is unheard of since the days of Pele. He was the top scorer in the world's biggest club competition for four years consecutively and has been the Ballon D'Or winner four times. I think overall, he's a better footballer than Maradona.”
Messi is playing in a better team than Maradona did. Let's face it, this Barcelona side is in contention for being the best club side ever seen. It's easy to shine when you've got the very best playing alongside you.
Maradona played for and won silverware with Napoli. It's a somewhat different kettle of fish. Let's not forget Maradona's drug addiction, weight issues and off the field problems as well. Maradona did the amazing things he did almost in spite of himself.
In terms of natural ability and delivering big performances on the biggest stage of all, the two of them are miles apart.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“They can be the best players ever in their clubs, but unfortunately history will remember that they could not perform on the world stage and as much as people pretend that club football is more important - it is not. Many players have won the Champions League (including Zidane) but they would all give away all their club titles to lift the World Cup.”
“They can be the best players ever in their clubs, but unfortunately history will remember that they could not perform on the world stage and as much as people pretend that club football is more important - it is not. Many players have won the Champions League (including Zidane) but they would all give away all their club titles to lift the World Cup.”
Simply untrue. Ronaldo and perhaps more so Messi will be regarded as the absolute best of their generation and right up there with the very best of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy_LZcVMUAk - Zidane against Spain in 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNxDze0Ggag - Zidane against Brazil in 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fihrQSU5Hp8 - Zidane against Portugal in 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIhCGUg_9A0 - Zidane against Italy in 2006
Now please tell me you are not comparing the great Zinedine Zidane's magical performances in 2006 when he was the best man on the pitch in every game to Messi's 2014 decent performances in the early stages and mostly anonymous appearances in the semi-final and final (when it mattered most)?! Those clips don't even do Zidane justice. He was in control of every game. Messi wasn't even Argentina's best man on the pitch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNxDze0Ggag - Zidane against Brazil in 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fihrQSU5Hp8 - Zidane against Portugal in 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIhCGUg_9A0 - Zidane against Italy in 2006
Now please tell me you are not comparing the great Zinedine Zidane's magical performances in 2006 when he was the best man on the pitch in every game to Messi's 2014 decent performances in the early stages and mostly anonymous appearances in the semi-final and final (when it mattered most)?! Those clips don't even do Zidane justice. He was in control of every game. Messi wasn't even Argentina's best man on the pitch.
Originally Posted by FMKK:
“Simply untrue. Ronaldo and perhaps more so Messi will be regarded as the absolute best of their generation and right up there with the very best of all time.”
“Simply untrue. Ronaldo and perhaps more so Messi will be regarded as the absolute best of their generation and right up there with the very best of all time.”
Never. I wouldn't even say they are better than Andrea Pirlo who by the way in addition to winning the Champions League with his club, actually stepped up when it mattered for Italy and along with Cannavaro carried Italy to that World Cup title and to the final in Euro 2012.
Great champions stand out on the world stage.
I'm a big fan of Messi but still think for him to be regarded as a true great he needs to lift the WC. Shocking that he won the Golden Boot.
Originally Posted by Xela M:
“Do people just not remember Zidane?”
“Do people just not remember Zidane?”
Seems impossible when you take your shrine to him on tour in every thread here.
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