I know it's been said many a time already, and debated on here ad nauseam, but to me he is the best player since Pele (yes, better than Maradona for me). Yet another sublime hat-trick tonight (3 goals from 3 chances) - he just makes it look so easy. That's 8 goals in 3 games. What a magnificent player he is.
i think he's still got to win a world cup, if he wants to be considered the best ever. maradona still gets it for me, because he has a whole career to reflect on. but at this rate, messi could eclipse him. i've been lucky enough to watch him play and score at the Nou Camp. breathtaking to watch live
Maradona is the best ever IMO, but Messi will eclipse him if he carries on with the same form for the rest of his career. I don't necessarily think he has to win the WC but if he does, and is influential in that win, it certainly will cement him at the top.
Messi has to achieve at World cup level to eclipse Maradona. Nobody will ever pass Pele in my opinion. At club level though he is probably on the verge of being the greatest player ever.
Pele was only 5ft 10 too. Puskas 5'8''. Di Stefano 5'10''. Rivelino 5'7''. Best 5'9''. Although I suppose they are big compared to Maradona at 5'5''. Interestingly (or maybe not), when I checked the heights on wiki, Maradona was the first pick in the list when I typed in 'Diego' (I presume it is done on popularity of search?), but Messi comes in behind Lionel Ritchie and Lionel Hampton.
Are you seriously expecting us to believe you that Diego Maradona was listed higher than Diego Leon? I'm not having it.
I know this is just your opinion and you forgot to say that, but I have to say your opinion is incorrect !! Have you not watched "Escape to Victory"?
You may rate Messi highly but no player is better than Maradona or Pele by a country mile. Just my opinion of course.
I never saw Pele obviously. But I did see Maradona. Genius. The only ones to come close in terms of ability in my lifetime would be Gazza, Bergkamp, Cantona, Zidane and Messi. I don't think Argentina have the players to win owt, unfortunately for him. But then, they weren't great when Diego was in his pomp. So Diego gets the nod for me. If only we had won Italia 90 and Euro 96. Gazza would get the nod. Oh for another Gazza.
I'm not sure if it was just some patriotic ribbing, but Pele himself claims that Neymar is better than Messi. Suppose we'll find out when they start playing together regularly.
