Pele has declared loads of players over the years the next big thing. None of whuch have really proved anything.
I don't think somebody like George Best would even get a chance in the modern game where they expect you to run all day and live like a buddhist monk. It's a shame really but modern sport is lacking characters due to professionalism with the odd exception like Ronnie O Sullivan, thats why I wish Balotelli had stayed in our league as he was a proper old school lunatic
Freddie Adu's ****ing brilliant Balotelli is/was a ****. He wasn't an 'old school football lunatic', he's a mentally deranged prick who seeks attention as a result of having been abandoned by his natural parents. A psychologist's wet dream, but not a football fan's.
[video=youtube;E3BLrgvgHnE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3BLrgvgHnE[/video] I feel Zidane has been mentioned enough to post this ****ing brilliant goal.
Don't mince your words haha- I love Balotelli me- great character, and if he has mental issues then thats not something to berate somebody for.
I'd put Messi and Zidane on a par in terms of ability. I feel the only difference is that whereas Messi plays brilliant football and is the best finisher I've ever seen, Zidane played beautiful football. There was an aura of elegance and grace about Zidane that set him apart from his peers. I know who I'd rather watch on a football pitch for 90 minutes.
Zidane made the game look easy, always seemed to have time on the ball. Class player. Unfortunately with Best it went to ****. But before it did there wasn't a player who could touch him for talent. He would've been able to play today easily, but the demons would've got him a lot earlier in todays world.
I've watched a shed load of Spanish football over the last 2 years and whilst undoubtedly messi is unbelievable, if I had to chose between ronaldo and messi, whether it be to have in my team or to watch, I'd choose ronnie everyday of the week. Yes he's petulant and arrogant but if I was that good, so would I be. I think its also because he can be a nasty bastard too that id rather have in in my team or watch him. He's carried Madrid every year he has been there and scored something like 201 goals in 199 games. He doesn't have teammates anywhere near the same quality that Messi has yet has still scored a bagful of goals. In his last years at united, he was heads and shoulders above everyone in the team. I'm not picky though, I'd be happy to give either of them a trial at the kc
Fat Ronaldo was the best striker I have ever seen - in his prime a few years a go he was immense. Best all round creative player goes to Zidane for me - Excelled on every stage. Best defender I've seen in my lifetime is probably Sol Campbell.
Some very interesting views on this thread and you are all entitled to them. Those who are trying to argue that Messi isn't even the best player in the world... It's a bizarre view to hold. Baring in mind the ballon dor is voted for by players you have to surely appreciate that they are best positioned to decide. And 4 times in a row at that...
I think that most people on ere do think he's the best player in the World currently, but most people prefer Zidane in term of all-time players.
Zidane was genius, but you never ssaw him winning the ballon d'or 4 times in a row (another record btw)
Messi almost scored more goals In a year than Zidane did in his club career. The very best players are attackers, simply because goals win games, Messi is arguably a midfielder as Is Ronaldo but they play up front because of there ability. I get the majestic side of things with the way zz played but the aim of football Is to win games and if zz was back playing today at his prime no one in there right mind would pick him In the team over Messi. Simply because you can't turn down them goals. Messi might not be everyone's favourite but statistically he wins on default in almost every measurable means. Take Ronaldo out of the question for a second and ask every manager in the world which one player they would want to sign. One answer... Would that be the case in Zidanes era... Doubt it.
If you was a defender, you'd just want to snap Messi in half cos no matter how hard you try and concentrate, he finds a way to slip through. But then you'd miss him in attempting that too. And then you'd look a total dick. He's class, but if he'd been doing all that round Oak Road playing fields circa 1994-1999, he'd have had his ball popped. FACT!
Zidane would have probably only been rivaled by Ronaldinho in the early 00's as the most wanted player. How can you compare them goals-wise as well? One was a central midfielder who created goals rather than scoring them (like Xavi currently) while the other is the furthest man forward in the starting XI. (I'll continue this argument tomorrow.)
Because the best players can play anywhere are you telling me that Zidane could have scored 100 goals a year if he played up top? Also I don't know how many assists Messi has had thus far but I would not be surprised if it surpassed Zidane anyway. Messi and Ronaldo are so good they don't play in a position, everything they do Is anti football tactics. Zidane was a fabulous footballer but Messi isn't even playing football it appears he's playing another game.
At no point did I say that Zidane could have scored 100 goals a year up top. I just said you can't compare them goals-wise as they play completely different positions. I can't find 100% certain stats on assist for either, as they vary from site to site. Though on almost all the ones I saw, Zidane had more assists. It goes deeper than assists anyways. You have to go and look at chances created, chances on average every 90 mins, etc. (it'll likely take forever to get true stats). Also, I think you'll find they do have a position. Messi usually plays as the central striker and Ronaldo usually as the left winger. If they are moving out of position, it is because their manager employ a 'total football' tactic. (I definitely now going to continue this tomorrow morning, goodnight.)
I think Messi is the best goalscorer in the world, but not the best all round player. His goalscoring is phenomenal and worthy of the Ballon d'ors. I think Ronaldo is a better all-round player though as was Zidane by far. Saying that goals win games thats for sure but Zidane certainly wasn't lacking on that front when it counted.
