After missing a oenalty in the final of Copa America, Messi has decided to hang up his international boots, stating he has done all he can for his country. http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/3663759 A fabulous player, but limited by his international team-mates, and not loved in his country anywhere near as much as Maradona, but thought he'd hold out for one more World Cup - maybe he doesn't fancy going to Russia (and who can blame him!).
He's never really cut it for the Argies, massive travelling for all their tournament games takes it's toll and the team isn't set up for him like at Barca. Will never be rated as highly as Maradona now...
Maradona may have been a nasty nutter, but he was easily the best player I have ever seen in the flesh, capable to carrying both Argentina and Napoli to titles singlehanded. And he took constant and hard physical punishment for all of his career. Messi appears to be a different type of character, a truly great player (never seen him live, sadly) but his legacy will be more about the team he played in.
He will return. That statement was said in heat of the moment. Messi will be back in Russia 2018. Messi aint Maradona but then again Maradona aint Pele either....
Three World Champions will beat the career in Europe. As a young boy i saw 1970 WC and Pele and nobody has been better since. England havent been better since either....
One of those World Cups saw Wales and Northern Ireland reach the Quarter Finals in 1958 and 1962 was in South America both nowhere near as competitive as later. Pele was great but had so many great players around him. Maradona won the 1986 World Cup single-handed (no pun intended) in a very average Argentinian side, Napoli had never won anything before he joined them, but then won two titles plus UEFA cups in the hardest league in the world. I just think he did more at the very highest level whereas all Pele's club goals were scored in Brazil or American football. An argument that is often clouded by the personalities of the players, they were both fantastic in their era...
