World Cup- France v Argentina - Last 16

Defo part of the debate....being embrioled in Barca since 13 with all the great players in that machine helped him achieve what he’s achieved. Maradona less consistent and professional no doubt..

It’s a genuine debate..

 

Doesn’t define his legacy but it will always be mentioned when taking about it..

Maybe one more chance..

 

I think the balance of the arguement is veey favpurable toward Maradona. People just look to the 86 world cup, a month of his career, the best month probably, and use that as a reason for why hes better than Messi, a player who's every match is scrutinised for a decade. I'm not saying you do that but alot of people do and its wholly unfair

 

They wouldn't even be there if it wasn't for him. Scored a hattrick last game away to turn it around and qualify them..

Turned up against Nigeria when the pressure was on..

2 assists today. You watch that game and everytime an Argentine had the ball they'd turn back just to find Messi....even if he was being marked..

Their team was overly reliant on him..

Sometimes the best Messi is coming on to thing's when other's have beaten a man and space is created..

He didn't have that once in this tournament..

 

What a game..France got asked a question of them today and they replied emphatically ...they could not handle mbappe running the channells ..scored 2 and brought down for pen.
FRANCE now joint favourites.

 

It’s always difficult trying to compare players from different eras.. Messi has the benefit of every flick and touch being highlighted on HD screens, where as there wasn’t as much exposure for players like Maradona.. so scrutiny can work both ways..

I think most agree that Messi is the GOAT, especially when you listen to ex pros.. but remember we are exposed to mostly English ex pros who hate El Diego..

The 86 WC meant so much to Argentina the timing of it too, the victory over England was just so perfect for that reason and his true brilliance made him always in our hearts..

 

History won’t look back at Argentina’s failure in the WC tournaments Messi has featured in.. only the fact they didn’t win it with him in the side... as harsh as that is..

 

The most explosive and skillful young striker since Brazilian Ronaldo, not quite the level of silky touch and technique Ronaldo had but easily the closest to him.

 

He didn't look anywhere near the player he is with Barcelona. Even the game he scored in he was very quiet

 

No celebrating pics today from maradona then

 

Ridiculously harsh..

His skill is excellent. Uses the standing on the ball 1 a bit too much but he's everything you want in a young striker..

 

I agree it is, but when looking at his International career in retrospect it will be one of failure in relative terms..

 

Agree with your second point but not the first.

For me the two most romantic and impressive sides to win the biggest cup in club football are firstly and totally non biased, the Lisbon Lions, a team of home grown players who cost peanuts compared to the big clubs in Europe of the day and against the most formidable defence in the history of the game after going a goal behind playing 8 attackers according to one bewildered reporter at the game.

The second best team to win it, Barca 2011, another team of home grown La Masia players who cost basically nothing even if the club was rich. Messi put on the best ever MOTM display the game has seen in that match.

Both of those games the winning team were completely and utterly dominant and relentless in their attack against world class players.

You're spot on about the WC with Argentina meaning more to Messi than anything, that is why he chose them when he had a chance to play for Spain when 16 yrs old. Like most kids growing up he dreamt of playing for his country and lifting the hallowed trophy but it was not to be even though Higuain missed a glorious chance to make that dream come true.

Messi and Maradona are the only two players to have won the Golden Ball at both Under 20 WC and WC.

 

I take your point on that Barca side and they represent a nation in any case.. but still one of the Worlds Richest..

The CL is an exclusive Club now for the rich, a club we do everything to get involved in only to be * out by the bouncer baws booted after one drink..

 

No-one holds Maradona’a failure to win a European cup against him, so no-one should hold Messi’s failure to win a World Cup against him.

Messi has far far more to his game than Maradona had and he does everything better than Maradona ever could.

Maradona isn’t even second best of all time, that’s C.Ronaldo. Both of these two modern legends have far surpassed the ability of any other players to have played football. Their achievements and stats won’t be matched for a long time, if ever.

Further to that, Maradona is a cheat. He had to cheat to get Argentina past England so his World Cup medal is tainted.

 

I think C. Ronaldo is the best striker of all time but as a footballer? He's not close to Pele, Garincha, Maradona, Cruyff, Jinky, Messi etc etc.

 

Burruchaga and Valdano dislike this thread

 

All true.

 

Not these days. Players were asked that question a few years ago amd the majority said CL. The World Cup lost some of it's magic a while back.