Souness Praises Messi After 2011 CL Final

[@Superstudio284]

The fact that he said this in 2011 when Messi was only 23 speaks volumes of how special this guy is. No one is close to his level.

[@patchh15]

@Arithmetic Me and a very good friend felt that way after the 08/09 season lol, he was something else and it was evident so early on

[@teletubbypo318]

And nobody has or will

[@JamesMc2051]

High praise for Souness!

[@tonyhesketh1814]

💯💯🐐

[@Allthingspoll]

Here after qatar 🇦🇷🏆🐐

[@upender6233]

Graeme Souness got it right now didn't he? He was one of the first neutrals who actually hailed Messi as the greatest player of all time way back in 2011. I wasn't so sure about it at that time, but 6 years down the line, you got to admit that he is indeed the greatest player that's ever lived.

[@redlavish7027]

Upender Gowda lol what u on about you knew it within a year of his debut.

[@Kobs.A]

2020??!

[@e7ectric390]

I agreed with Graeme from the start, my friends at school were all CR7 fans seemed only I could see his genius.

[@thomasjones2415]

The Best Of All Time For Me Is Lionel Messi,

[@thomasjones2415]

Lionel Messi Was Just Born Play Football, Absolutely Natural Ability,

[@BARBENWARR]

"They are watching not only the best player ever but the best team ever...this is a unique group of players". He said everything in only one sentence !

[@ganeshkps8727]

You still alive? Reply me

[@BARBENWARR]

@@ganeshkps8727 sup brah yh I am

[@marymatu3835]

It's end of an era now 10yrs ago

[@Ragnar850]

@@BARBENWARR after 7 years wow 😲😂

[@aliqasim816]

Here after 11 years and he has finally done it. He has won the greatest accolade. He is unDOUBTEDLY the GREATEST OF ALL TIME 🐐

[@rahadulislam5597]

So happy for him bro

[@jamessmith4843]

Insane that he was being called the greatest of all time when he was in his early twenties. Truly a phenomenon.

[@iyerzzzzz]

Prime messi was 2008-2015 , there is no player in history of football who could lace his boots

[@dmwmm]

the 2010/2011 barcelona was seriously almost unstoppable. astonishing team.

[@TinyShoken]

08/09 season was when they were REALLY unstoppable. Winning the treble and having players like Eto'o, Henry and Yaya Toure. Crazy stuff.

[@BobinhoExXx97]

Tinizel no. they were the best in 08-09 but the football they played in 10-11 was out of this world

[@unbornvii]

Shando Humphrey exactly!

[@woody46338]

Look at Barca at the Beignning of 12 13 as well. They struggled at the end

[@positional_play]

and then some stupid milan fans are telling me their team of 94 wouldnt have been destroyed by that Barcelona team.

[@mahafuzalam2679]

Many footballers break into the first team at 24, my man was already being considered the GOAT at 24.

[@atomaticom1821]

Technically he was still 23 and turned 24 a month later.

[@ruideng111]

in years to come, Messi will be known as the best that has ever played this game.

[@erea8319]

you were wrong. His name is Cristiano Ronaldo

[@Kehley82828]

@@erea8319 LM7 is most definitely the goat not couldn’t reach 7. Better goalscorer, dribbler, playmaker and passer, the necessary essentials for the best forward and footballer to exist 🐐

[@lmn6725]

@@erea8319 delusional pendu fan🤡🤡

[@narayansaud4537]

@@lmn6725 😆😆😆🤡

[@KurdishYoutubeKSAS]

He is

[@akhabuejoseph4075]

This is 2021 and 10 years on and souness was bang on . He played against maradona and knows what he’s talking about , Messi was in his early 20s for Christ’s sake 🐐

[@barry2924]

Messi at that age was something special but he was also in the best team ever , as the years went on Barca weren't the same force bar 2015, Messi was still good but he wasn't winning the big trophy's that's where Ronaldo came into conversations with people, for me Messi is the best I've ever seen by ab absolute country mile but I don't no if he was better than maradona because I never seen him

[@Kugann]

@@barry2924 wow

[@C.J.80]

Wow!!! Gary Neville and Graeme Souness called him Greatest Player Ever years ago!

[@patchh15]

He was something else very evidently from 2008/09 season.. just unlike anyone i'd ever seen

[@C.J.80]

@@patchh15 I'm from India 🇮🇳 and I've never seen him play live ☹️. T's on my bucket list though!

[@e7ectric390]

From the first moment I seen him play in 2008 I saw instantly he was different to anything I'd seen before, I just wanted him to have the ball all the time because it seemed impossible he would lose it or make a mistake it was incredibly rare he would mess up.. if he kicked the ball it was a goal or crossbar if he passed the ball it was perfect & unbelievable vision even then..from the beginning it was clear he was a genius & there was nothing like him in sports period. He's run 2009-2012 will never be matched.

[@C.J.80]

@@e7ectric390 I've been following Barca for the last 30years.The hype before his debut was unbelievable

[@e7ectric390]

@@C.J.80 i can only imagine, I was born in 96 so I only knew of Barca because of Ronaldhino, I remember in 2007 1 of my friends had a Messi jersey & by the way ppl talked about Messi I at the time thought Messi was a past legend because I'd never seen him before but I heard a lot about him. I was living with my grandfather at this time & it was the UCL final Barca vs Man Utd at that time I hated United because they were dominating the premier league & I'm a Liverpool fan , also hated Ronaldo because he was too good I guess.. but before the game my grandfather told me "Messi is gonna run rings around them" I said "what!!?!! Messi is a player that still plays??" He said "of course, he's only 21" then I saw on the TV his picture , his name his age / goals etc..& I couldn't believe it , then I saw him humiliate a team that to me looked invincible in the premier league. From that day on I didn't miss a single game of Messi , I wanted him to win everything. Even when my team Liverpool was playing I would choose to watch Barca.. that's how obsessed I was with that team / Messi & I still don't miss a game. Nobody displays football better than Messi.

[@paulgray7014]

Messi is the best ever I agree with souness on this one

[@jnrofficial1840]

Saying this at 23 is actually nuts he is truly one a in a lifetime the greatest of all time he is LIGHTYEARS ahead of the rest

[@LS6272]

Messi was the same age here as Mbappe is now, and people were already calling him the GOAT. He was THAT good.

[@Daniel-td3ke]

Yeah you can’t compare him to anyone. There’s world class and the then there’s Messi. A huge difference

[@mrhussain9008]

This was the concensus from Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Graeme Souness, Pep Guardiola etc when he was 23!! Anything else he has done gas just added on to his greatness.

[@michealardbeg3291]

I like how Gary is always honest when he talks. A true Man U great.

[@iyerzzzzz]

Yes I remember how he said Italy will fall short in Euro 2020.

[@anurag6ix]

Now, he just talks shit to get more clout

[@denver5093]

When you got oldies calling you the GOAT at 23, then you sure as hell know you're the ultimate GOAT

[@baptistelleshi8099]

Who’s here after Leo won the world cup🐐🥳🔥📈❤️11 years after arguably the best Champions league final performance in Wembley he puts a masterclass against France in a World cup final !!!

[@icewhiteporsche]

i remember hearing this after the match as a kid and always wanted to comeback to this video once messi had a world cup. 2011 messi was weirdly good and far better than any other player i have ever seen.

[@CFlame20]

Only person better than 2011 Messi was 2012 Messi

[@ebenezerindi1766]

@@CFlame20 It's close but I still think 2011 Messi as a different beast even compared to 2012, despite all the goals he scored in 2012. 2011 Messi as more like a natural disaster to the opponents, he would just dribble past everyone nonstop and there was nothing you could do about that. Maybe 2012, 2015 or 2019 Messi were better but the 2011 version is the most terrifying player I've ever seen.

[@pkay4405]

@@CFlame202011 is better than 2012 in everything other than pure goal scoring

[@ripu2shredz1zz13]

The fact he was getting GOAT shouts before his 91 goal season even came is just insane to think about. Even more crazy when put into perspective now. World Cup, will retire with 800+ goals, might surpass Dani alves with most trophies, and maybe an 8th ballon dor. And this is leaving out all the other shit he did from 2013-2021. How people don’t think this man is the best ever just crazy to me at this point.

[@Kugann]

so blessed to have seen his career from start to finish

[@El__Forastero]

Not really insane. Statistics are not everything. You couldn't watch Messi in this period and not think that he was special. Different gravy.

[@pitamberarora6232]

2012 season was great in terms of statistics. But Messi in 2011 was perfect. His dribbling was the best it's ever been and he showed up in every big game that season. He shined on the biggest of stages. He also played with more fluidity and agility.

[@ebenezerindi1766]

@@pitamberarora6232 Facts. 2011 Messi was something different even for Messi's standards.

[@gregjordan38]

Redknapp is a monumental bellend.

[@TheTaterTotP80]

Not at all, he has good points.

[@vampycaltm5273]

@@TheTaterTotP80 no he doesn't 🤣 his points were Maradona got tackled more and he won a world cup by himself WHICH HE DIDNT because Argentina's 1986 team was unreal. Maradona got tackled yes but he got tackled by slower, unathletic (in comparison), poorly coached and SMALLER defenders. He's stupid and you're a moron for taking anything he says seriously. He backs down to Souness on every point because he knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on and didn't want to get found out and embarrassed for his Bias towards Pele and Maradona.

[@positional_play]

@@vampycaltm5273 He is just a pure nostalgia merchant, he didn't even see them during their playing days. Souness, Gerry Armstrong, Valdano, Maldini etc. have seen all of them (Valdano even played with Maradona) and they all say that Messi surpassed Maradona, Pele and all the other ones.

[@Cruithneach]

Ah, the 86 World Cup-winning side was only good because of Maradona's inclusion, was it? Giusti, Burruchaga and even Valdano when he wasn't philosophising were all decent players and then there was Ruggeri, who vies with Passarella and Monti as Argentina's greatest ever centre back, but Redknapp's probably never heard of him

[@MessiAndA3]

Valdano was a top class player afaik.

[@bonkerzisgood]

Not to mention the amount of space Maradona had and the lack of athleticism in defenders, Maradona couldn’t shine Messi’s boots

[@niranjanrajesh1058]

All the clowns out there say maradona carried argentinaa. Whenever someone says that,its clear that they didnt actually watch that argentinian team. Souness doesnt say shit like that despite having watched maradona,so its clear that maradona had a great team around him

[@Cruithneach]

@@niranjanrajesh1058 He played against him too

[@DarkicaraxTFM]

yeah, and a midfielder of all ppl probably knows that the team dynamic is most important. maradonas greatest moments came when argentina were still in the game and very much competing, specifically, scores like 0-0, 2-2. bruh messis 2017-2020 barcelona&argentina would already be 3-0 down at that point. these goated forwards are difference makers when their team can compete; none of the goat contenders have ever somehow pulled the score back AFTER their team went like 3-0 down and as they were getting dominated. luckily for maradona in 86 and pele throughout his career, their national team was never in that situation.

[@EeroHaapala69]

I enjoy Graham Souness' commentary.

[@IWannatalkpodcast]

I said Messi was the greatest player I've ever seen in 2009. Nothing has changed

[@moin6077]

It's funny that after such a long time of sustained greatness, making the insane a routine, people still doubt that he's the greatest player ever!

[@teletubbypo318]

That’s because those who don’t are blinded by bias

[@niranjanrajesh1058]

People who doubt that have a brain problem. I'd go so far as to say that no one is even close to him,the next best player,whoever it may be,is a few levels below him

[@fargo1234]

@@niranjanrajesh1058 same for me His prime was better tha anyone else's and his consistency is we all know it Has been doing it for more than 12 years

[@Rondodinho]

Even Maradona himself said Messi is better than him when he was here in South Africa in Pretoria preparing for the world cup (2010)

[@zzzaaa0990]

Chris Ferrero Who would win in a fight dude a bee or a wasp?3>0.Amen.

[@positional_play]

+Chris Ferrero and zidane or ronaldo de lima ?

[@MM-dm4xj]

@@zzzaaa0990 Man Utd best club

[@zzzaaa0990]

MM who would win in a fight,a wasp or a bee dude?13>1.Amen.

[@MM-dm4xj]

@@zzzaaa0990 SAF best manager

[@Alkrf8bo]

he was 23 years old at the time. Insane

[@hardikpatel.]

He is a World Champion, now ! Couldn’t say it more proudly! 😊

[@nosajdoow]

everyone forgets the spanish manager in world cup 2010 after their victory thought messi deserved the golden ball magical runs, hit the post many many times, and the driving force for almost every goal argentina scored in that tourney WC 2014, look out, argentina may not win, but messi will once again be the best player in the tourney

[@frontrunner9138]

He was indeed

[@0darumair0]

Wt a prediction! Hats off🙌🙌

[@jasonwood8023]

@@0darumair0 oh wow, guess it was lol.

[@randomrainbow8423]

@@jasonwood8023 are you the same person? lol

[@nikosofidemporas]

And now in 2022 he won the title and was the best player.

[@claritywithteekay]

Messi is definitely the best ever..there was a debate in 2011..when people thought they had seen it all..but today? no question about it, he is the best player EVER!! Maradona himself said it last week..he knows it, we all do!

[@charliebooth3545]

Seven years on he's still the greatest

[@claritywithteekay]

@@charliebooth3545 7 days on and he's still the greatest (what a goal against Huesca btw!!!)

[@charliebooth3545]

@@claritywithteekay inevitable, incredible, genius, GOAT. Astounding, 7 years have gone by and he remains the best. I can guarantee there will never be another like him watch it appreciate it and hopefully in seven more years time we can look back on this conversation and say that from this point on it only got better.

[@baptistelleshi8099]

@@claritywithteekay He’s done it 🔥🔥World cup winner

[@claritywithteekay]

@@baptistelleshi8099 broooo yessss !! madness

[@bobbyf3616]

what's with the pitch and the rules were all about ? This guy is pure talent he can even play on any pitch

[@ricinho11]

Jamie Redknapp - The guy who said Hummels was 'all left foot'

[@lamaramv1147]

Even if Messi retired in 2015 he would still be among the Greatest to ever play the game

[@ryanmoss8732]

Was only 10 in 2011. Didn't realise people called him the goat this early. mad

[@Kugann]

some were saying it the season before, at 21/22

[@canarycatchup]

Incredible. Everything Souness and Redknapp said is still right now.

[@harikrishnan4241]

Hi guys, its 2022 and Messi has 7 Ballon D'Ors. So yeah the debate is pretty much settled forever.

[@GhastOGMC]

Robbed 4 of them but keep going idiot

[@ryanwilliams2661]

The fact he’s being called the GOAT at 23 just shows how good this man is. Another 10+ years, a World Cup under his belt, there’s no doubt!

[@Kugann]

people were saying it when he was 21/22 as well

[@BossDefects]

Messi gets kicked a ton. I remember Madrids tactics one Classico were to boot him and they did. Messi scored that game. Barca won :)

[@bradd2k2]

First time I watched messi he was a 17 year old in 2006 World Cup and he was absolutely phenomenal, could tell he was going to be special, but to continue that him and Ronaldo 15 years later is ridiculous they set standards in football and raised the bar amazing players glad i was born to see them.

[@johnadams20132013]

What Souness said back then aged well.Messi simply the greatest player ever.

[@southstandloyalblock37stok94]

The Best player I've ever seeing genius magic what a player amazing

[@Fondrom]

Messi is the best player in football history. We should be thankful we live to see him play

[@lassetunge131]

It’s so Amazing to watch this and see how it is with Messi now truly is the greatest and by a mile

[@MrMotstoor]

The most fouled player ever he's just a genius!

[@kbfall1484]

Mate u r 100% on point...!!! Salute u bruv...!!!

[@alexwright3849]

What baffles me is that they were saying this back and we are literally 10 years down the line and his numbers are still roughly the same. It's madness that people have almost U-turned and started questioning his GOAT status because some Portuguese gym rat who plays as a poacher for a team that came 7th in the league scores a few goals

[@nikosofidemporas]

Chill bro they are all silent now after their idol acted like a child the GOAT led Argentina to WC glory. I guess they pretend to be conspiracy theorists claiming that the WC was rigged.

[@Alex-jm2vq]

3:12-3:30 couldn’t agree more

[@CAakshay9]

watching this today on 7 august 2021... no messi in barca... completely devastating...i dont think i ever see la liga again..😓

[@shocco]

What defenders did against Maradaona wouldn't get you a booking it would get you a jail sentence in today's game.

[@nxt1990]

The eyes don't lie. Nobody close to Messi.

[@garethcoughtrey1433]

Love redknapp telling souness what it was like back in the day!

[@sexybeast7728]

"if everybody kicks him you will get in the book" and with Maradona wasn't the case. - guy on the left. It's true, that's fact, but it's actually plus for Messi in this battle with Maradona Why? let me explain you how. Neither did Maradona or Messi were falling easily, i think everyone can agree on that. Maradona was more of a bull type, but Messi's balance is up there with Maradona's if not greater. Having that said means Messi wouldn't be falling in 80s, neither did Maradona. That would cause referee not to call a foul and since Messi doesn't fall he would get past 3-5-2 players more consistantly because he would be freed of fouls and would be able to play like Maradona. He would dribble and since there is no fouls and he doesn't fall he would keep going and would be literally unstoppable as Maradona did. Fouls are actually load for Messi in his game. Increasing number of fouls actually made it worse for him because foul became valuable tactic against Messi. You can't take away ball from his feet so you foul him. That's tactic against Messi these days. Look at final game against Juventus. Everytime Messi got ball there would be atleast 3 players around him ((one more difference. Mardona would play mostly with one man marking him, Messi pays with 2-3-4 players around him)) and if he tries to do something with his dribbles he would be immeditely pulled down, and because there is number of fouls more frequent in recent times referee will call it everytime, not necessarily yellow card!! That way, fouling him all the time, they have quashed his dribbles. But still Messi is so good he took a role of Xavi and made the difference in that game. That's reason why Messi is better besides playing in the time of modern football (arguably harder to play in). Messi is complete attacker. If he is not in mood with his dribbles (rarely), he will get deep and playmake from deeper positions. If his playmaking skills are off (rarely again) he will go upfront and score some goals. No matter against which team he plays he always found role (false nine, winger, advanced playmaker) in which he is the most useful that game, Maradona mostly played as advanced playmaker or second striker, he couldn't adopt to the game so easily as Messi does. I feel like Messi, besides his skills, understand game so well while Maradona was leader with astonishing skills, but didn't always know what to do in certain situations when his team is down. He just leaned to his footballing skills and sometimes got successful, while Messi adopts to every game perfectly. When Barca struggles Messi always found solution. One more huge plus for Messi is consistency!!! 6 years in row the best player there is. I know Ronaldo won last two ballon d'Ors, but if Messi was fully fit through this two years(2013, 2014), Ronaldo would never shine. 6 years on top of the top. To understand that we praise Messi greatness and not Barcelona greatness says the fact that Xavi before Messi appearence in first team (2008/09) won 6 trophies with Barcelona and Barcelona had some great players such as Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto'o. After Messi came into first team Xavi have won 19 trophies!! And only difference before and after 2008/09 is Guardiola who gave Messi main role and freedome. Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Marquez, Henry nothing has changed and look at difference between Xavi's trophies. In 13 years without Messi in first team he has won 6 titles. In 7 seasons with Messi as a main drive he has won 19 (!!!) The difference Messi does on the pitch in modern football, arguably harder time, is magnificient. He did more until 27 than Maradona in his whole career. Maradona only valued argument is controversial WC 1986. And the most importantly: *Maradona finshed his career, but Messi still writes the history!!* He might not come to his peak yet. It's crazy to even think about that. "He is something else"

[@notme1713]

Sexy Beast totally agree!!! And it has become decade now and still in top!!!! If you don't think he is still not the greatest player and I don't know who is????

[@chaplincharlie1422]

Sexy beast, i think your points are valid and on spot and correct. Most of the people are not reading your comment because its too long or they don't understand the game or simply put they don't like messi I think but the onces who will read it , they would definitely agree with you and I 100% iagree with you ! Love and care.....

[@MrDanielfff777]

Must of took u ages to write this

[@mnwsa4044]

Messi plays the purest form of football

[@mnothomsweli6695]

This doesn't get old

[@rohithraman6488]

Who's here after he finally won the World Cup

[@efraser2667]

Remember, at the time he was only 23. 23!

[@derekdok]

Just cemented this last night.

[@jackshepp4379]

I love when Redknapp says "if people kick him they go in the book" at the exact time Carrick takes a swipe at him and is unflinched 🤣

[@MrMotstoor]

So far and away the best player and team ever, the man messi is SO likeable loves playing rarely complaints despite being probably

[@Master_D_lifts]

With success comes haters because there are people who hate successful people. Messi is best ever. Look at goals,trophies, influence on games etc. The only problem is he will become a victim of his own success. People will now expect him to score 50 league goals next season and if he doesn't the haters will come out again.

[@balaji1423]

*MESSI IS GOD OF FOOTBALL PERIODT.*

[@JonDoe-lp6oo]

thank you god for letting me live in the MESSI ERA. when he retires he will have change the game forever as we know it

[@Kehley82828]

Thoughts now he’s nearing the end of his illustrious career?

[@sunner108]

Exactly. Ronaldo is brilliant at what he does but Messi is just...Messi. You can take away all the space, mark him with 2 men, but still he's gonna find a goal wheter it's a goal or an assist trought the defence. And what you said about the tactical awereness is very true. Ronaldo is an exeptional goalscorer but Messi is an exeptional goalscorer, playmaker, dribbler...I could go on forever.

[@Messihaz]

People don't understand the gravity of this, they won't for at least a few decades. This is just Souness and Neville, there are millions of people around the world that day calling a 23 year old the greatest to play professional football.

[@rietzzs]

Messi and ronaldo doing it pas 10years GOATS of the Game

[@YeTism]

23 years old and getting GOAT shouts. Unreal

[@Trance18]

I remember watching Souness analysis of Messi and what he said , that I found to be so bold given that he played against Maradona and watched Legenda like Pele , Cruyff ,R9 but now after Winning the Worlc Cup , anyone who claims Messi is not the greatest is just making himself look foolish, because there is no argument against him now.

[@Lionel_xl]

I’ll only accept maradona over him because their both amazing with a ball at their feet

[@Jahid49]

Bayern demolishes oppositions brutally but still people who watched football last decade prefer Barca of 2011-12... A bunch of world class players at their prime, alongside one of the greatest player of all time upfront.. That team was remarkable... People will proudly say they have witnessed this game 20/30 or even 40 years later

[@lukecoupland3740]

Shouldn’t even be an argument between Messi and Ronaldo this man is levels above. He is the best player of his generation hands down

[@euphoriaggaminghd]

12 years later, and he was absolutely right

[@fh854]

Gary Neville before the 7-0 😭😭

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill And Messi has also produced moments, where his magic won Barca the game.. Like I said, the two goals Messi scored against Madrid won them the tie- without those they may not have gone through- also the goal in the final that gave them the lead.. That was down to his ability, not the players around him. As for Best, I personally think he is one of the best players ever- but united at that time were a very good side.

[@TheDiegoo17]

I love the skysports coverage they just let the pundits discuss instead of like on bbc they just answer linekers questions

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill But as I say, even in an unorganised side, he is now starting to become influential for them. He's provided 10 assists in 13 games in 2011, which alone shows that he's performed. I agree he needs to score more- but he has plenty of time on his side and if Argentina can get the balance right, he will do that. He is a tremendous player- no one can deny that.

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill Messi in 2006 had just come back from a long term injury and started the first two games of the tournament on the bench because of it.. He started the game against Holland but again did not start against Mexico or Germany..Therefore, you cannot compare him when Ronaldo was fully fit and played many more minutes..

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill Yes, conditions were much harder and physical in those days- but footballers were not as tactically aware or the athletes they are today.. After all, how many great defenders are remembered, with the exception of Moore, Beckenbauer and Santos.. You only have to watch the games to see the lack of quality..

[@pulmon66]

In 1965, as most everyone knows, when a game was not being broadcast, film cameras were installed behind the goalposts. I remember seeing both the most marvellous goal I've ever witnessed (see my comment below), then waiting for the next day's soccer highlights. When the goal was not shown, I waited until the next game, descended to the field after the game was over and asked the reporters who's been the one who's missed it. The answer? He saw the ball coming, but had no time to react.

[@turkyish]

@flotech66 agree,,,,,he is unique,,VERY SPECIAL

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill The fact is, Messi at 24 has already scored three goals that very few players will ever score. No matter your level of ability, goals like that are incredibly difficult to score, especially as in an Argentina shirt- he has to start his runs even further away from goal, which means space is even more limited and there are more people to pass.

[@turkyish]

garrincha was UNREAL,,,,,spot on

[@Hydro2oo9]

Both are immense though. It's cringeworthy when you go on here and people can't just hold their hands up and respect great players. Messi and Maradona were the greatest of their eras. Both would be good in any era as well imo.

[@JSF_7]

THANK YOU!!! Im always trying to say the exact same thing. World cup is overrated not the same as it use to be the champions league is far better for me and the way the game is played with defences more condensed than ever before and he still does his majic! best player ever.

[@baptistelleshi8099]

You were right bro Leo’s now a world champ aswell

[@rufusandburne]

i agree son! Messi is the beat i have seen.

[@zacrogers6645]

in pele era the era of george best,beckenbauer it was ten times harder for strikers or number 10s to thrive.tackling from behinde were legal,as opposed to illegal now,players in england and brazil played on surfaces that were a million miles away from the carpets play football on today.in pele era the pitches were bumpy uneven making it 100 times difficult for players to express themselves yet players like pele george best cruff glided on this pitches like ice skaters.

[@1234567894675]

maradona like all the greats were the best wen they were 25 n older n messi is only 23 he has alot of his career ahead but wen he becomes 26 hell b aMESSIng for now hes the greatest in the world for a long long long time .

[@Boneidol751]

George Best was amazing.

[@MrRobs1980]

I get that the pitches are better etc but the pitches are better for the defenders and the standard of defensive players has increased also.. so for me messi is the best Iv Eva seen

[@ignaciogobet605]

Whoever was alive back then, played sports at a semi competitive level, and had their eyes open knows....

[@Sorted906]

Well said!

[@rahadulislam5597]

Anyone here after messi won the World Cup??

[@dp5974]

vamos leo

[@jimcruz7752]

2022 now wow

[@Kugann]

🥹

[@poonpounder12]

true true messi is king

[@Im-xj1kt]

World cup argument back in 2011 it doesn't work anymore😂

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill That fact he was nominated showed he performed well. Directly he only assisted two but he was heavily involved in five of their goals.. Like I said, he was the creator and that's what he did. Yes, he should have scored but the fact he was nominated showed he did well. Messi has won the world's best player of the year award three times in a row now- you may say that does not make him great- but people in the game now regard him as that- like it or not.

[@JuggIb]

This is at 23 years old🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kastrolxp]

Messi is the king of football

[@305Solo]

Not often I agree with neville but it's true. Obviously it came down to picking one country over another, but if Zidane had picked algeria instead of france, he would never have won a world cup or european championship. If messi had picked spain he blatantly would have.... not to mention the fact that many of france's key players like desailly, vieira, djorkaeff also chose france instead of choosing their country of birth/parents nationality

[@al7abab]

if we are talking about playing football only then Messi is the best player I've ever seen. but to be the greatest you have to do something special, something more than playing good, he has to win the WC with Argentina. I love Messi and I do think he plays better than any other player in History, but its sometimes more than just this.

[@Kugann]

if he was born in bolivia would he have to win the world cup to be the greatest?

[@nikosofidemporas]

He did it

[@ronasheton]

"wrongfoots people for fun" xD I love you Graeme xDD

[@Gfresh844]

@91gaganchill But it's not just about the goals-it's about the performances of Messi. Ronaldo and Rooney are top class players but they do not have the ability Messi does- Their record in big games also at club level is not the same. Messi is already regarded as one of the best because of the talent he has, it's not just the goals. Not to mention, he has an added dimension, in that he is also a great playmaker.

[@Pitvp2]

@CharlieAdams37 you have to watch 86 wc where maradona was kicked 4 or 5 times in a match, its was too painful, today the rule's are a lot stricter, pitches are better, the ball is lighter