Sorry not Swans related Just watching Barcelona destroy Bayern Leverkusen, and got me thinking how much is Lionel Messi worth. Plus is he the best player ever?
Bongo's right, we are signing Mr Messi next season and Cardiff are signing Mr Silly and Mr Bump. Seriously though, what a player. Best in the world by a country mile.
Could well be the first 100 mil player and thats not that far fetched when you consider what chelsea paid for Torres
Taking into consideration, if Torres is worth 50 million, and Ronaldo 80 million, I reckon Messi would be worth double again. Watched the game, if you can call it a game. The ball just appears to be stuck to hit feet until he shoots. As for best player EVER, debateable. The game has changed a lot since the days of Best, Charlton etc, so best player of his era, yes, by far. Plus, he's still only 23???
50 million. 80 million. 160 million. How much,then,for the signature's of John Charles,and Pele,were they playing today?
I would say Messi is the best ever just because the game has evolved overall. Defences are better, fitness is better, skill levels are higher. Yet he still manages to play like he's playing against little kids.
Messi is a fine player,no doubt about it. However,"the best ever" is very subjective. If John Charles were playing today,considering the fact that he was equally effective both in defence and attack,he would be the most sought after player in The World. So,for me,John Charles is "the best ever".
Impossible to say ,different era's different styles=sifferent game,.Who can say anyone was beter than John Charles in his era or Pel'e in his, then you have Cruyff,Eusabio ,Di Stefano,Puskas,Van Basten,Maradona,and gazza on form was amazing to watch,i still love his goal against Scotland..so its anyones guess
There have been a number of quite fabulous footballers over the years many of whom have been mentioned above. It is an impossible task to choose one because so many different factors applied in their respective eras. However, faced with having to select one, it would have to be the truly great John Charles and I'm not being biased with my choice. Those who never had the privilege of watching him play would not be able to appreciate just how talented this guy was. He stood 6ft 2" in a time when a 6ft player was regarded as tall. He weighed in at about 13+ stone without an ounce of fat and he was immensely powerful. The thing is, for a player of those physical dimensions, he also had a great touch and his passing was top drawer. When Trevor Brooking selected his greatest ever UK Eleven he wrote of Charles; "The only thing you have to consider about this player is, was he the world's greatest centre forward or the world's greatest centre half?" That is truly some accolade. Had John been English he would surely have been knighted. Yes, he was that good. Those who know his story are aware that he was voted the greatest ever foreigner to have played in Italian football, a league that has included the likes of Maradonna, Platini and many other world greats. A bronze statue was erected outside the Juventus ground in his honour whilst he was still alive!! A huge accolade in those times. John was almost unbeatable in the air and generated tremendous power with his head - that in the days of the old leather football and he was never, just never knocked off the ball. In summary he was a colossus, a player who would have walked into ANY team from his generation to the present day. Had he played in today's game he would virtually have been priceless. His potential present day value was estimated by critics to be £80 million and that was 5 years ago!!!!! £100 million today? That would just be a starting figure. By the way, anyone doubting his strength should catch the documentary about him when Jack Charlton, a big guy and no shrinking violet, gleefully recounts how, as a young player, he upset John in a game. In the dressing room afterwards he tells how John picked him up, pinned him to the dressing room wall and warned him never to do it again. But John was no bully and was revered everywhere he played for his fairness. A "Gentle Giant" he was and a great, great player. Maradonna, Pele, Messi etc etc, great players all and Big John ranks up there right alongside them but, for me, he was literally head and shoulders better.
But the point has already been made that whereas those players were the best in their era, I really don't think they would be as standout today. No doubt Charles, Pelé and Maradona were the best in their time but coaching, fitness and technical skill levels have rocketed in the last 30 or 40 years and to be a top player today you have to be pretty special. Charles stood out not only because he was ever so gifted (and big!) but because the level of those around him - both team mates and opponents - wasn't anywhere near him. Now everyone has caught up and to make it at the top level you have to be even better. Just my opinion but for those reasons Messi is currently the best footballer ever to have played the game. Have to say, Ronaldo is a close second. As a footnote, for me one of the best teams of all time: probably the Brasil team of the 1970 World Cup. Pelé, Tostão, Jairzinho, Gérson, Rivelino and so on. All greats imo that revolutionised the way football should be played.
Maradona for me , amazing . Lots of great ones listed though . Special mention as under rated for me is Dennis Bergkamp , superb !!
Fair point, KJ, but my implication is that should John be playing today he would derive the benefit of better training; planned diets and nutrition; far better equipment (boots, the ball etc) and superior playing surfaces. He would also receive FAR better protection from the officials than he did in his day when players were much tougher (read downright dirty) across the board. The thing is, because John was so powerful, the only way other players could stop him was to kick him out of the game (eg Hungary, 1958 WC) and John, as big as he was, never resorted to doing that himself. He would absolutely thrive in today's environment but I accept that does not diminish the ability of the other great players who have been mentioned.
John Charles is still idolised in Italy,not only at Juventus. His footballing skills,coupled with his general demeanour, ensure his legendary status there. I was living in the Canton area of Cardiff,I had sold my house,and was leaving U.K.,for West Africa. By way of celebration,I decided to treat myself to a pizza at the Italian Restaurant around the corner from where I had been living. It was a quiet midweek evening,and I sat alone downstairs. During the meal I spent some time looking at the black and white photographs,mostly football orientated,that adorned the walls ,and one in particular caught my eye. It was of John Charles,and a very shifty looking Lou Macari. I had finished my meal, but felt like a coffee and a liquer,so hailed the waiter,who had spent most of the evening upstairs. Consequently, I hadn't been able to discuss the photograph of J.C. with him. As he was taking my order,I asked him if,in fact,it was J.C. in the photograph. "Ah",he yelled." You knowa John Charles?" "Well,I...".Before I could say,no,but I come from Swansea,he ran into the kitchen,and I heard him shout to the chef,"Come quick,one of our customer,he know Giovanni". Immediately,the chef appeared,beamed at me,grabbed my hand,and shook it for all he was worth. I was then treated like royalty,plied with alcohol,free of charge. So that should give some indication of the reverance,and esteem that J.C. enjoyed,especially amongst Italians. This was in 1996,by the way,and J.C.had left Italy over 30 years previously. Notice,also,the waiter only said the name Giovanni,(that's Italian for John,as I'm sure you all know),but the chef knew exactly. who he was talking about.
