Neymar

[The only place to be 11,313]

It is not about being the best (which still is), it is about being in the same group of amazing players that have won it. One has to excel its game at the most to win it and they usually only have 3 or 4 chances of winning it. It is not like UCL where in one (of the many times you play it) year you can do a Liverpool or a Chelsea.

Messi himself said a couple of times he wont settle until he wins it.

'The same group of amazing players that have won it'

There are plenty of players who have a World Cup winners' medal who simply aren't that great. The standard of football in the Champions League is now higher than the World Cup in my opinion, and I think Messi might actually be the best player in the best football team of all time.

Now I don't know that for sure as I wasn't alive to see players like Pele in the flesh which is why arguments about who's the greatest are pretty tough to resolve. I just think we need to recognise the criteria has probably changed in the last 50 years.

[Rmpr 8,977]

'The same group of amazing players that have won it'

There are plenty of players who have a World Cup winners' medal who simply aren't that great. The standard of football in the Champions League is now higher than the World Cup in my opinion, and I think Messi might actually be the best player in the best football team of all time.

Now I don't know that for sure as I wasn't alive to see players like Pele in the flesh which is why arguments about who's the greatest are pretty tough to resolve. I just think we need to recognise the criteria has probably changed in the last 50 years.

It has not!

World Cup is UCL without the possibility of super teams with great chemestry, all of the players are there (even the ones that arent in Europe), there are not many chances to win it, neutral stadiums, biggest world wide crowd (everysingle football fans watch it, cant say that about UCL).

All of the above make it way more challenging and when I say "select group of player", I mean the ones that we considered great and have made a super impact in their titles.

[The only place to be 11,313]

It has not!

World Cup is UCL without the possibility of super teams with great chemestry, all of the players are there (even the ones that arent in Europe), there are not many chances to win it, neutral stadiums, biggest world wide crowd (everysingle football fans watch it, cant say that about UCL).

All of the above make it way more challenging and when I say "select group of player", I mean the ones that we considered great and have made a super impact in their titles.

Weird - that Spanish team seems to have pretty great chemistry, although that's mainly down to it largely being the Barcelona team.

Regardless, I simply don't regard international football as being that important anymore. It's certainly more competitive nowadays with more emerging nations who have simply gotten better at the game (which is something Pele didn't have to contend with) but the level of competition at club level is still higher.

Messi is going to be a three-time Ballon d'Or winner (at least). The fact that he hasn't won a World Cup really isn't a factor in judging how good he was.

[Spike 12,049]

LOL. They're the biggest chokers in Rugby.

In the past yes, but as of right now they are pretty unbeatable. Don't worry, this is just a flash in the pan, they'll go back to losing finals 40-0 but winning every other game 126-0 soon.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Weird - that Spanish team seems to have pretty great chemistry, although that's mainly down to it largely being the Barcelona team.

Regardless, I simply don't regard international football as being that important anymore. It's certainly more competitive nowadays with more emerging nations who have simply gotten better at the game (which is something Pele didn't have to contend with) but the level of competition at club level is still higher.

Messi is going to be a three-time Ballon d'Or winner (at least). The fact that he hasn't won a World Cup really isn't a factor in judging how good he was.

What people cant seem to understand is that in the first two World Cups that he won, Brazil wasnt the force it is now. We had come from a shameful 2-1 defeat in 1950 and our team was pretty average, I mean, it wasnt the underdog but it wasnt the favourite. Just like Messi`s Argentina, it isnt the best team but no one will be shocked if they win it. No one can argue Messi is a girl when we look at his performances at WC and Copa America.

Just because you dont rate international football, it doesnt mean it is not important. English are very indiferent when it comes to their national team, but you are the exception (Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Hollands, Brazilians and Argentineans all care about their teams). I agree that for 4 years everyone only worries about club football (and for the right reasons), but when the WC arrives, the world simply stop to watch it (just like the Olympics). It is still the most prestigious tournament, not as much as 50 years ago (definetly agree), but still the creme de la crem.

Ballon d'Or only compares present players, it is not an argument. Pele was banned from a lot of individual prizes because he would win it everytime, so Messi does not impress by winning "Best Players Award".

[The only place to be 11,313]

What people cant seem to understand is that in the first two World Cups that he won, Brazil wasnt the force it is now. We had come from a shameful 2-1 defeat in 1950 and our team was pretty average, I mean, it wasnt the underdog but it wasnt the favourite. Just like Messi`s Argentina, it isnt the best team but no one will be shocked if they win it. No one can argue Messi is a girl when we look at his performances at WC and Copa America.

Just because you dont rate international football, it doesnt mean it is not important. English are very indiferent when it comes to their national team, but you are the exception (Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Hollands, Brazilians and Argentineans all care about their teams). I agree that for 4 years everyone only worries about club football (and for the right reasons), but when the WC arrives, the world simply stop to watch it (just like the Olympics). It is still the most prestigious tournament, not as much as 50 years ago (definetly agree), but still the creme de la crem.

Ballon d'Or only compares present players, it is not an argument. Pele was banned from a lot of individual prizes because he would win it everytime, so Messi does not impress by winning "Best Players Award".

Looks like we'll just have to agree to disagree.

But if the WC is so important, I'd suggest Zidane is the greatest player of all time.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Looks like we'll just have to agree to disagree.

But if the WC is so important, I'd suggest Zidane is the greatest player of all time.

2nd for me, but that would make a very good debate. A much closer one than with Messi...

[The only place to be 11,313]

2nd for me, but that would make a very good debate. A much closer one than with Messi...

He's definitely the best player I've seen, but I wasn't alive when Pele was playing so I have to go by video footage only which has it's limitations.

[Beepu 1,714]

In the past yes, but as of right now they are pretty unbeatable. Don't worry, this is just a flash in the pan, they'll go back to losing finals 40-0 but winning every other game 126-0 soon.

Aha, yeah to be really honest I was rooting for France in the worldcup. Even though im a New Zealand resident i dont really like the allblacks, not sure why maybe i get the barca feel from them since theyve been unbeatable for the past 2 years now(i only like the haka because its so foreign to me as an asian), and recently they have not been convincing with their wins after Graham Henry left. Every Kiwi on the land seems to hate Quade Cooper though.

LOL. They're the biggest chokers in Rugby.

Not trying to defend but AB at all but even if they were chokers, in the WC Australia was not even that good so AB>Wallabies is true ATM for me.

[Rmpr 8,977]

LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPt3pHu_LQE

[mediator 2,026]

Oh damn that's some trick!

[BlueLyon 9,359]

LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPt3pHu_LQE

That just proves how shit is brasil league. Yes, there were many players that suceeded in EU from brazil, but that doesnt mean that Brasil serie A is actualy good. Dutch, Portuguese, Russian are all above Brasil league. And Im realy concerned about Brazil in WC2014. They dont have single player that is actualy world class in attack. As Brazil team went downfall after 2002 after fantastic amount of talents they had (and still have), so will Spain. All players from Isco, Muniain, Cesc, Alba, Koke,...who look brilliant prospects will never fill the boots from the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Puyol, Iker,...there wont be a coach like Del Bosque either...

In next years, German (too many players to call, with several current players to give the experience) Belgium (lot of young talents), maybe France (Pogba, Varane, Digne,...) will rule the world. Spain will be high, but not on top, Dutch have terrible defence (and their ''talents'' in defence are nothing realy special), Italy has no class defenders ala Maldini, Buffon, Nesta either, while Brasil will remain where it is. Lot of potential but no finished products...

[Rmpr 8,977]

That just proves how shit is brasil league. Yes, there were many players that suceeded in EU from brazil, but that doesnt mean that Brasil serie A is actualy good. Dutch, Portuguese, Russian are all above Brasil league. And Im realy concerned about Brazil in WC2014. They dont have single player that is actualy world class in attack. As Brazil team went downfall after 2002 after fantastic amount of talents they had (and still have), so will Spain. All players from Isco, Muniain, Cesc, Alba, Koke,...who look brilliant prospects will never fill the boots from the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Puyol, Iker,...there wont be a coach like Del Bosque either...

In next years, German (too many players to call, with several current players to give the experience) Belgium (lot of young talents), maybe France (Pogba, Varane, Digne,...) will rule the world. Spain will be high, but not on top, Dutch have terrible defence (and their ''talents'' in defence are nothing realy special), Italy has no class defenders ala Maldini, Buffon, Nesta either, while Brasil will remain where it is. Lot of potential but no finished products...

LOOOOL, SO DUMB!

THIS IS NOT BRAZILIAN LEAGUE, THIS IS PAULISTAO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

THIS TEAM ISNT EVEN IN THE FOURTH DIVISION (LOWEST)...

LOOOOOOOOOOOOL

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I do agree with most parts though (apart from the France and Belgium delusion)!

Brazil will be beast in 2018. Lucas, Oscar, Ganso, Neymar, Romulo, Willian, Paulinho, Arouca, Dante, Luiz, etc. Just wait, this is a transition period. No more Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Adriano, Robinho, etc; but new players are comming. We produce shit loads of players, there will always be, at least, a good team. The worrt teams in our history are still better than half of what most countries have ever produced!

I also think Slovenia will be a finished product and rule the world, but you know, that is just me.

[OneMoSalah 8,885]

LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPt3pHu_LQE

Neymar is class but overcomplicates everything, see if Roy Keane was still playing and he played against Neymar I have a funny feeling Neymar would never play again.... due to a heavy tackle which would be intended likely.... hahaha imagine Neymar trying to rainbow flick Roy Keane, he'd end up stretchered off

[Rmpr 8,977]

Neymar is class but overcomplicates everything, see if Roy Keane was still playing and he played against Neymar I have a funny feeling Neymar would never play again.... due to a heavy tackle which would be intended likely.... hahaha imagine Neymar trying to rainbow flick Roy Keane, he'd end up stretchered off

That was one lucky trick, but I agree.

That is one of the reasons I think he must go to Manure or Barcelona. If he gets a bad tackle Ferguson and the media will cry and make a huge fuss out of it and he will then be protected by the refs...

I do want him here though, he is playing more on the right side now. Hazard + Mata + Neymar / Ba ??? :eyebrows: