What is the internet for if not for having random pub conversations with as many people as possible, but with less in the way of actual beer, or having to go outside for a cig...
In this internet age, where most of the old skool pub arguments are over in seconds following the invention of google, where you can no longer have protracted arguments about actual facts which can be checked in seconds, it is reassuring that there are still questions that you can have arguments about, because there isn't an answer.. only opinions.
In the light of the recent Maradona and Pele row.. which is curious in itself, that they are arguing over whether Lionel Messi is among the greatest players ever. And lets get this straight, this isn't a random pub conversation.. this is between the two guys that are at the top of that particular tree.. none of your inane Andy Townsend nonsense here.
Actually what started this was (among other things) Pele comparing his record in big tournaments to that of Messi.. "When Messi's scored 1,283 goals like me, when he's won 3 World Cups, we can talk about it." which to be fair he has a point.
Although, if you start to pull at those threads it starts to look less impressive.. well a bit anyway. Pele barely featured in the 1962 World Cup through injury, and playing for Brazil in teams littered with star players (there is still debate in Brazil of whether Garrincha or Pele was their best player), the burden of responsibility is lifted a little.
And when you look at the goals.. In a time when the concept of defending bordered on the Kevin Keegan "sod it, we'll just try and outscore them" school of thought and a lot of the games Pele played were exhibition games around Europe because that's how Brazilian sides funded themselves.
Personally I lean more towards the Maradona camp.. now this is partly due to this being who I grew up watching. the man who pretty much won the World Cup on his own in 1986.. When the star names don't spring so easily to mind.. there was a guy called Brown who I remember because it didn't sound right him playing for Argentina. Jorge Burruchaga who I probably remember for scoring in the final. But these aren't Rivelino or Jairzinho we're talking about here.
Also when you look at Maradona I think his time in Italy stands out..Napoli have won the Scudetto twice in their history (1987 and 1990) and is probably not a coincidence who happened to be on their books at the time.
When you start to look at Messi, his record at club level isn't too shabby.. I remember hearing a stat that in a season and a half he'd scored more La Liga goals than Deportivo La Coruna, at least I think it was them. But, when you look at the team he has round him, then I think it's fair to say he's not exactly dragging the rest of them along with him.. Playing in front of Xavi and Iniesta must make life a little easier, but Messi is the stand out player, but only just.
Personally I would like to throw Zidane into the mix.. winning the World Cup with a side whose main point of attack was Stephane Guivarch was no mean feat.. and just watching Zidane play was one of the reasons why I love football - when it's that good, sometimes all you can do is sit back and enjoy the show.
When it come's to who is the greatest, there is no right answer, (although it's Maradona) but it isn't Messi.. yet.
But let's get this straight.. this lad is 24. He's already won the same amount of European Cups as Manchester United - at time of writing. And while he stays at Barca, he'll keep picking up trophies - along with the Ballon D'Or awards - for the past 3 years on the trot - (and the very fact that he's already playing against Maradona and Pele speaks for itself.)
The crunch will come in 2 years time.. the 2014 World Cup will be his chance to step up. If Argentina win that one (in Brazil) and Messi steps up in a similar fashion to Maradona in 1986 then I think it's fair to say we'll be hearing less from any viagra salesmen about who's the greatest.
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