History does not dictate how well a team will perform in the world cup. The game has changed quite a bit in the last decade, players from a variety of countries have started playing in the top leagues from around the world. It's really improved the quality of players playing in the leagues as its become more competitive. Spain just happens to have a bunch of players who are flourishing and appear to be all in their prime. To say a they are a bunch of pansies and won't be able to perform against the likes of Germany and England because of the PAST is beyond silly. You are stuck in the past.
Ronaldo was a monster at scoring goals, one of the best ever if not the best at that. I can say I actually witnessed his epic performance in the 2002 world cup but.. Messi's ability to create for other people is astonishing and it's way better than Ronaldo's ever was and it's not even close. More complete player. Messi. Better scorer. Ronaldo.
Psst, ever heard Pele and Zeco? BTW, I am dying to get a poster Zeco's son wiping Zeco's tear after Brazil was eliminated in 82. Anyone knows where to get it?
Now since I remember Zico, for the younger fans see for yourself. That's why I say Messi hasn't wowed me to say he can be in the same sentence with Maradona. <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ARpEnjZIWko&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ARpEnjZIWko&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
We can debate all day but the fact is that they haven't walked the walk. We'll see, they have a pretty easy group but Honduras can give them problems.
I mean he does have more goals than Maradona in the WC all time but I'm not going to debate that he's better because he's not.
WC goals were inflated against inferior competition. This guy was the leading scorer in 90 and found himself in Japan not long after. Remember him ?
That may be true but he was the one who made Juventus a club power. His accolades with Juve alone- Serie A: 1994-95, runner-up 1991-92, 1993-94 Coppa Italia: 1995, runner-up 1992 UEFA Cup: 1993, runner-up 1995 <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/otwjbMQSNuw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/otwjbMQSNuw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> I do think Del Piero has surpassed him though as a Juventus god. -Serie A: 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2005-06 -Coppa Italia: 1994-95 -Supercoppa Italiana: 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003 -Serie B: 2006-07 -UEFA Champions League: 1995-96 -UEFA Super Cup: 1996 -UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999 -Intercontinental Cup: 1996 <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MLOG4Ct5IV0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MLOG4Ct5IV0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> When he retires he will be the best Italian soccer player ever. Better than Baggio, Maldini, Zoff, Buffon, Inzaghi etc. "I am certain that Del Piero really never grows old" -Diego Armando Maradona
Your argument that Spain folds against European competition? Considering they haven't lost a game to European opposition since 2006 - and have basically played, and beaten, every single power team in that time span at least once, I'm having a hard time not laughing. You do realize that's 4 years right?
Don't get me wrong, I love Baggio, but we have to put that into perspective. Baggio or Del Peiro, the Juve God for last 2 decades? I don't know actually. That's a close call in my book. Baggio was done with Juve after injury and Del Piero, who is with Juve the entire career. In that sense, you gotta give it up to Piero. Now technique wise I think they are neck to neck. But I will give it to Baggio b/c he was more of a cerebral player, and that's not knock on Peiro, who is just shade below in that category. And how one not root for Baggio, the sad face of his. I still remember the game when Baggio was out, the replacement was the young Del Peiro from the youth team, he scored 3 goals in that game. Everybody was like where did that kid come from, play just like Baggio. Sigh, time passed, look at Peiro now, and I am older too, sigh.
Pele is probably better. But Ronaldo clearly had the better prime. If his injuries didn't derail him, he would of been the best Brazilian easily.
Apart from highlight reels now, my memories of Maradona are from the tail end of his career during the 90 world cup. The impression I get is skill-wise Messi is as good as Maradona except for shooting power for long range shots. In terms of speed, ball control and dribbling at least, Messi is as good. Also, it's not Messi's fault that he is winning with the top club. (Maradona also played briefly for barca.) Hard to say if he'd have had the same impact Maradona had on Napoli. Would you only accept him being as good as Maradona if he demands a transfer to a smaller club and found team success there?
My two cents on Spain. Spain is the ladybug of World Cup, which was given and proven. However, that was the case for Spain in Europe competition too, and that seems changing. So I hope Spain brings that change to the WC this time.
Ronaldo had 3 to 4 years going for him. Everybody thought he was the next big thing when he was 19 and just out of Brazil playing in Holland. But he was a brilliant striker and just that. No disrespect to what he had achieved, but Brazil had better legends in Zico and Pele. I don't even know Roanldo is in the top 5 Brailzlian ever played the game.
Ronaldo is a legend. He's easily a top 5 Brazilian player. Again, he was the best player ever in his prime. 45+ goals in 46 games.
Why WC title is so important? People were whoring about Messi today, but don't forget the context of today's game. A opponent missing 5 starter, not known for defense, and a club level match. What Maradona did in 86 was simply amazing. The defense on him was LOCK DOWN. The game was called a lot loose then too. Messi wouldn't survive one game w/o being injured then. The defense on Maradona was chop-down. Side tackles whenever he touches the ball. Also, the magnitude of the competition is surreal. 3 matches Maradona cemented his status Argentina v. Brazil in 90 Argentina v. Italy in 90 Argentina v. England in 86 Those games were pretty much like calling for Maradona's head and yet he preserved. Forget WC title, I am willing to consider Messi, if he can show me 3 character matches like those in like context. So far Messi has weltered in the international games, when the real pressure tacks on.
