Pele is a twatbag

Yes, he would. Messi regularly drops deep and plays alongside Xavi and Iniesta.

 

He comes deep a lot, and does great.

Messi outscores and out assists Iniesta and Xavi, put together.

 

Plus, here's a suggestion: "Xavi is so good and so dominant in his role that no coach would ever consider changing it". Why does it have to be a forward that is the greatest player?

 

Pele was no doubt a great player but hugely overrated imo. His goals for Santos were against abysmal teams with no defence, there's plenty of videos to prove this too. Same goes for NY Cosmos and Brazil.

Anyone remember this?

[video=youtube;e4fzeK3SQa4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4fzeK3SQa4[/video]

 

[video=youtube;UaTRV3Vi5QU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaTRV3Vi5QU&feature=related[/video]

This last minute winner against Brazil was special.

[video=youtube;vPEKML2EFcA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEKML2EFcA[/video]

More top class opposition. Another great goal (2.10 in)

[video=youtube;zLRiM2F60lk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLRiM2F60lk[/video]

But yeah, he's nothing without Xavi or Iniesta.

 

Someone's got to put the ball in the back of the net, otherwise football would be a pretty **** sport!

 

You're missing my point. Messi is capable of moving in between positions and playing his free role due to the platform provided by Barca's midfield. This is supported by his inability to do this with Argentina, where this platform is not in place. I am therefore suggesting that Messi isn't the key component to Barca's success, and therefore isn't the best player. I would be intrigued to see how he would do at another club with a weaker midfield - his success (or lack of) there would determine whether I am right or wrong.

 

Obviously, but it doesn't have to be the best player who scores. Maybe the best player is the one who stops the opponent from scoring. Requires a different skill-set i.e. less technical and more mental.. I'm merely fuelling debate here btw guys, not trying to say Messi is **** or anything, cos he's not!

 

He's made 20 assists and scored 20 goals for Argentina, he was their best player at the Copa America AND the World Cup where he was shortlisted as one of the 10 players of the Tournament Have you even watched him play for Argentina? He may be in a deeper role so isn't quite as prolific, but he is still world class for his country!

 

There's no need for sarcasm I'm only questioning the reasoning people have for why Messi (or Pele, or Maradona for that matter) are the best players. Maybe the best player doesn't necessarily stand out? After all, many players at RM said Makelele was their best player, yet he was sold because he didn't score enough goals and that triggered a decline which they are only now recovering from.

 

You mean the WC where he was desperately disappointing? Many people were shocked to see him on that shortlist, you know...

Also guess who else were on that shortlist (Xavi and Iniesta) so again, that argument works both ways.

PS I am playing devils advocate a little bit here, I sense people are taking this a little too seriously and getting a bit heated. I'm only trying to get some decent discussion going as most people on this thread are just slagging other people off for having a different opinion rather than actually discussing their opinions.

 

Desperately disappointing!!?? He didn't score, but he was still fantastic! He may not have deserved to be put on the short list, but he still had a good tournament!

 

This!