Barcelona fans have voted for greatest player ever and Messi only came in third. 1) Maradona 2) Ronaldinho 3) Messi https://www.sportbible.com/football...Wz3Le_AxHFpdgO6FDKJmhSDbGxwqZwwNJwP5VRNXt7ZKI
The vote was probably hijacked by Ronaldo fan boys. Times are very strange. Two of the best players to ever kick a ball, playing in the same generation, and all you see on social media is abuse for, and against the other. Why can’t they just appreciate both..
Maradona was definitely the best. He played at a time when playing surfaces and protection of players were not as good as what they are now.
Messi for me is the best ever. But I am only 26 so never got to see Maradona play so cannot judge. Also have some slight Messi bias given me and him share the same birthday
That's not a ranking done by the club. It's some random website. Maradona won the poll with 582 votes to Messi's 440. Having said that it's a tough call between the two of them. They've won a hell of a lot more with Messi part of their best ever team. Not sure whether they won the Champions League with Maradona. The strange one is Ronaldinho in 2nd spot, all depends on the era you watched them. It's a bit like asking us to put Glavin, Redfearn and Hignett in order. The older end would vote for Glavin but the younger end would vote for the other two.
Ronaldinho is a god in Barcelona I’m surprised he didn’t win it , I was at his ‘ Return of the King ‘ preseason friendly in 2010 , with Milan . Barcelona hadn’t won much in European terms for some time and the arrival of Ronnie started another successful era for them
It’s the way of the world these days, seems you’ve got to have an extreme view to get heard. Like you say, why not just enjoy both they’re both brilliant players.
Loved Ronaldinho, he had the character that Messi is missing imo. But MessI is an amazing footballer and makes it look so effortless, a true sign of greatness.
I get Maradona winning it, there is no shame finishing behind him in a poll but Ronaldinho? Great player but not as good as the other two in my opinion.
I'm not sure "cheat" is the right word. I can't imagine that industrial amounts of cocaine improved his performance.
All depends what era and without sounding too Hemsy, the greats of the past would be too slow for today's athletes, possibly a good reader like Moore could get away with it in his position but centre halves are becoming more athletic. Ronaldo and Messi wont get near a footballer in 2040 - they'll be bloody superhuman by then. Could you imagine the dirty Leeds team of the 60s/70s trying to get near today's footballers? They'd be kicking mid air, Pele wouldn't be fit enough. Today some can record 100m sprints in under 11 seconds, the actual athletes in 1950 couldn't do that. But back on topic, my greatest footballer was always Maradonna growing up - I had the shirt in the 80s, during Falklands with Maradonna on the back but then along came Ronaldinho who l think is the most skilful player to ever grace the planet, C. Ronaldo just behind him. Messi is different, pace, low gravity and an unbelievable dribble, not half the skill of Ronaldinho or Ronaldo.
It goes the other way though, if Pele had been around today he would have had access to the best sports scientists, nutritionists and if we're being honest, dubious doctors like all the other top pros and would be physically better. Similarly Ronaldo in the 60s would have been nowhere near what he is today. The only meaningful comparison is with other players from the same era, which makes it clear who the generational talents are but comparison across eras is pretty much meaningless.
Love Ronaldinho I’d have probably put them in the same order... football wise Messi is obviously the goat but he’s so boring off the pitch lol
Depends what kind of player you like. I don't think I've seen a better player than Lothar Matthäus to be honest. Other than the European Cup (runner up) he won everything else there is to win, including the leagues in each country, the cups, the World Cup, named best player of said World Cup, Ballon d'Or etc etc. Transitioned from attacking midfielder to holding midfielder to defender. Only 5'9 and was just as effective at stopping the opposition as he was in scoring goals. Absolute fücking machine. My kind of player. In terms of forward players like those three Barca ones referred to, Maradona (albeit an idiot) had the better career. Whilst I praise Messi for what are ridiculous stats for Barca, he's never left his comfort zone, and when he does with Argentina, he's not quite as effective. Whereas, Diego left Barca to go to Napoli and took what was the arsêhole club of Serie A to the very top and led Argentina to World Cup glory. Can't stand the little fücker but facts are facts. Same logic I use when putting Brian Clough above Sir Alex. To do what he did at Derby and then Forest especially, that's a bigger achievement than Fergie getting United back to the top. Opinions though innit.
I think Maradona would just squeeze it for me, what he achieved at Napoli was exceptional and on par with your Clough comment. Messi is clearly fantastic but he has always done it with great players around him.