I avoided it while England were still in as I can't stand all the crap about England on social media. Messi is still an incredible player, although a little on the wane now. It would be fitting for one of the greatest players of all time to win it, all be it in a bang average Argentina side imo.
This World Cup has been far too much about a few players - Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe - at least in the way it’s been covered on telly for my liking. There isn’t really an outstanding team in it, beyond Morocco for their attitude and tenacity, but France and England the best, intermittently. Griezmann has been outstanding and Bellingham has the potential to be one of our best ever - and both have been consummate team players. France to beat Argies in the final.
Croatia are so slow in getting forward they allow Argentina to reset an form 2 banks of 4 and 5 players so there's no way through......
Yeah, I agree with that. France v England would have been a fitting final between the best two sides imo. Bellingham could well go on to be the greatest midfielder of his generation. I actually think it's been an excellent world cup to watch, with many upsets. The gap between international sides is definitely narrowing imo. To your other point. Maradona is absolutely one of the greatest players of all time, but for me, Messi at his peak was a little better. He can do all the things Maradona did, but has incredible vision too. Not much in it mind.
You get the feeling that Argentina could score as many as they'd like now that Croatia are committing so many forward and leaving gaps at the back...... But if Croatia score next it could get interesting
Well you have to say that was pretty impressive Simple tap in but the pre goal run from Messi was just ridiculous.........
It’s always difficult to compare players from different eras, but Maradona won things for Napoli and Argentina virtually single handedly, with minimal protection from refs. Napoli’s two championships in Italy came when Milan had one of the best club teams ever, and Inter, Juve and Sampdoria were all superb teams as well. Playing for Guardiola’s Barcelona alongside Iniesta, Busquets, Xavi, David Villa, where your only competition is Real Madrid really doesn’t compare, and as for the pay day at PSG…. Mind you, I haven’t seen Messi live, and I did see Maradona a few times. He was the only player that Sacchi’s Milan, with Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta and Tassoti in defence ever man marked to the best of my recollection.
Fair enough. I've not seen Messi live. Seen Maradona live once st Wembley. I just think Messi has the edge in ability, but there's not a lot in it obviously.
The key difference was Messi never left Barcelona to prove himself in another country. Playing in a great side in which really is a 2 horse race in Spain, is always gonna make you look fantastic. What Maradona did at Napoli was a miracle, and something which if Messi had done would've automatically made him number 1. Both exceptional players, and hard to choose between them and Ronaldo but for that reason I'd go Maradona. Such a difficult question though, I never got to see Di Stefano or Puskas or Duncan Edwards. Who can really tell who the greatest is or could've been ?
Me too. Fantastic player. I have seen him live twice and he scored 9 goals. His career deserves it. France or Morocco will be difficult to beat so the final could go either way.
