Flip

Responsible for 89 goals. That's without mentioning the million and one times he'd slip someone through who would then assist the goal or something like that. First goal against Juve was like that, Iniesta did great but his pass was the one that opened it all up. He probably has a hand in everything they do. Neymars pass man.

He still has a problem with that though, when he's 2 on 1 with Suarez he'll go for the finish himself but when he's with Messi he'll look for Messi. He still looks for Messi a bit too much even when Suarez is in a much better position. He'll get his fair share of assists when he starts doing that.

I can't agree with that, and would love to see when Mourinho said that so if you could post a link I'd appreciate it. Even Chiellini once said without Ibra and Maicon Inter would struggle badly. Think the fact Maicon only had 2 at tops 3 great years has made him very underrated. He was a beast in all kinds of way.

As well.

What are you on about? If anything Dani had more cover, the team was set up in a way to cover him. Maicon was a beast defensively during that time as well as being a beast offensively. The season they won the CL, he scored 7 goals and had 12 assists while being one of the best defensively. That's why I rate him higher during his peak, obviously in terms of career it's hard to look past Dani between those two. But for those two years and the peak Maicon had I thought was in terms of being a right-back higher than Dani's.

I'm always told about Djalma Santos when I'm back in Brazil. But from those I've seen live it has to be Cafu and possibly Thuram. The rest are 2nd tiers to these guys, even Dani, Lahm, Zambrotta, Maicon etc.

Ridiculous

Ameobi?

Possibly, but it lasted like a year or two max at his absolute peak. I still remember your Maicon was the bestest ever phase, dude. You ain't escaping that easy. I distinctly remember you saying Maicon was easily better than Alves when that was only because Maicon was the more popular player. Alves at his best was better than Maicon. I don't agree. I think Maicons year with Inter when they won the CL was higher than any peak Dani Alves has had and if I remember it correct the year before as well. Unfortunately his peak only lasted for 2 seasons or so. But I do think that Maicon as RB was much more complete than Dani during those years. Maicon more popular player? He was one of the most underrated players at that time. He was so important for Inter.

Possibly, but it lasted like a year or two max at his absolute peak.

What how?

Cafu IMO, Alves is up there though more would openly say it if he wasn't such a c***. But he has no one but himself to blame for that. Cafu and it's not even close for me. Dani for all he was, wasn't Cafu. Same goes for Zanetti. Love Lahm as well, obviously not as spectacular, but always been such a balanced player.

Except Dani. So cool

Rockstar*

Brazil 2-0 up against Mexico.

Pele did everything Messi has done and more. How many full 90 minute games have you seen Pele play? Not much, but would say around 15. Obviously probably been his best performances, but in terms of winning he did everything Messi did and more. So did have Xavi and Iniesta, yet they're in the same team as Messi and you won't find anyone saying they're better than Messi. I dunno, I tie myself up in knots with this debate like, I've become a bit obsessed with it tbh, I need to get a f***ing life. I like it. rather discuss Messi than Newcastle

Pele did everything Messi has done and more. How many full 90 minute games have you seen Pele play? Not much, but would say around 15. Obviously probably been his best performances, but in terms of winning he did everything Messi did and more.

Pele did everything Messi has done and more.

Neymar is 5 years younger, not even that great and has had a better international career than Messi already basically, all this playing in one of the worst Brazilian sides I've seen while Messi has had one of the most talented sides. It's obviously fair to criticize Messi's international career. He's won one Olympic gold and he wasn't even the main man then. He's still the best one I've seen live, but to say he's been great since Maradona left and put his international 'failure' on Maradona rather than Messi himself is laughable.

That's simply not true anymore like. He underperformed in the final, but he was the player that got them there in the first place despite still being injured. Argentina didn't play to his strengths for a long time. Stop it. It's very true for all WC kncokout stages and Copa America knogkoutstages he's been in. I'm saying, it's not true anymore. Since Maradona left he's been loads better for Argentina. Maradona left before the 2011 Copa America where Argentina (where Tevez also played) were as big of disappointments as Brazil and Messi didn't perform at what is expected. At the World Cup he wasn't good either, tbh his best WC came under Maradona in 2010, because despite not scoring many goals he was constantly a threat. In Brazil it was the other way around, he wasn't fantastic but was scoring goals in the group stage. But in terms of vital game (talking purely knockout stages) he's been well below par. Doesn't take away from the fact that he's the best I've seen.

Ehhhhhhhhhh

That's simply not true anymore like. He underperformed in the final, but he was the player that got them there in the first place despite still being injured. Argentina didn't play to his strengths for a long time. Stop it. It's very true for all WC kncokout stages and Copa America knogkoutstages he's been in.

He's always underperformed for the national team at vital stages. My only negative thing on him. Clearly the best I've seen anyways.

Great to see a decent atmosphere at a womens game for once. Hope the other games have decent attendance.

Ronaldo wasn't human vs us in the World Cup. f*** that game. I've never been angrier at a match we didn't actually lose.