LeBron James once said on his show, The Shop, when discussing his 2016 NBA title win over the 73-win Golden State Warriors, that… ‘that one right there, made me the Greatest of All-Time’.
As we all know, Messi last night won his 8th (eighth) Golden Ball.
No doubt you’ve seen the pics on socials of Messi recreating Bill Russell’s iconic ring photo. Adidas crafted 8 unique rings, representing each of Messi’s 8 Golden Balls, for Messi to pose with… just like Russell posed with his NBA Championship rings.
Most of the talk is around Messi extending his record over Ronaldo to 8-5 in Ballon d’Ors.
But of course the Ballon d’Or was only eligible to European nationals until 1995.
However France Football did a retrospective analysis in 2016 and determined the retrospective winners from pre-1995. The official winners were not stripped of their Balls, but the likes of Pele & Maradona were unofficially given them.
Last night, Messi passed up Pele, who won 7 Golden Balls retrospectively.
Golden Balls
Messi - 8
Pele - 7
Ronaldo - 5
Cruyff - 3
Platini - 3
Van Basten - 3
Maradona - 2
Di Stefano - 2
Beckenbauer - 2
Ronaldo (Brazil) - 2
To me, when Messi collected the Golden Ball last night, ‘that one right there’ made him the Greatest of All-Time.
Messi - ‘That one right there’
posted on 1/11/23
How much did people actually watch of Maradona's career? It's all well and good listing player's achievements, but football isn't played on paper. Watching is the best thing you can do.
posted on 1/11/23
comment by Malachi Boateng (U1734)
posted 5 minutes ago
How much did people actually watch of Messi’s career? It's all well and good listing player's achievements, but football isn't played on FIFA. Watching is the best thing you can do.
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Agree
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posted on 1/11/23
comment by Bobby Dazzler (U1449)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Malachi Boateng (U1734)
posted 5 minutes ago
How much did people actually watch of Messi’s career? It's all well and good listing player's achievements, but football isn't played on FIFA. Watching is the best thing you can do.
——-
Agree
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Watched 95%. Almost 100% until PSG and when he became boring.
Here is a good video to watch, but is only goals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscGtF_A14A
posted on 1/11/23
If there is someone who has watched the majority of Maradona's matches then it would be good to have a discussion. Forza maybe?
posted on 1/11/23
I’ve watched all of “The Young ones” and I can safely say “Bottom” is better
posted on 1/11/23
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
Maradona > Messi but only just. Maradona single handedly (quite literally) won Argentina the World Cup by himself and then dragged them to another final 4 years later.
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Nobody wins a world cup on their own. Don't be ridiculous. Valdano only scored one goal less than Maradona.
posted on 1/11/23
I actually think Messi 2022 is the most dominant World Cup any player has ever had.
He scored or assisted on 7 out of Arg’s 10 goals in the KO stages, and was involved in the build up on 2 of the other 3. Player of the Match in every KO game.
He also scored and assisted in their key group game vs Mexico.
Had no other star player for support but still won the Cup.
posted on 1/11/23
comment by Cinciwolf----Old Trafford record attendance.....WOLVES V GRIMSBY. .......lolz (U11551)
posted 11 hours, 41 minutes ago
Maradona was great, he also won 28 fewer trophies and scored 534 fewer goals.
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I suspect Messi probably would have too had he played in that era, on those pitches, when it wasn’t against the law to tackle someone
His career would have been curtailed somewhat
posted on 1/11/23
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 7 hours, 41 minutes ago
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
Maradona > Messi but only just. Maradona single handedly (quite literally) won Argentina the World Cup by himself and then dragged them to another final 4 years later.
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Nobody wins a world cup on their own. Don't be ridiculous. Valdano only scored one goal less than Maradona.
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Valdano played for Madrid at the time, I watched him plenty, and he was seriously crap.
Burruchaga I remember having a very good World Cup.
Wouldn't go far as saying it was a one man team, but they wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the final without Maradona.
Similarly, Ronaldo might have bagged a trainload of goals for Madrid, but they were by no means a one man team and he by no means made the impact Di Stefano made in his day.
posted on 1/11/23
comment by Malachi Boateng (U1734)
posted 10 hours, 10 minutes ago
If there is someone who has watched the majority of Maradona's matches then it would be good to have a discussion. Forza maybe?
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He made an immediate impression but did ask for some support and pretty much hand picked at least 2 key signings. I'm sure in his second season they won it and he did win 2 titles there.
Problem was bang on the marching powder since at least his barca days! He had a serious problem. Ronaldo famously said "no coke....water". Maradona said no coke cos he'd sniffed it all 😂