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Kuba man Rolling around and as soon as Rafinha gets the yellow he stands up. Didn't know non-southern european and latin americans did that as well.

Ridiculous. Neymar 4 goals away from equalling Eto'o as Messi's top goalscoring partner. Eto'o scored 36 in a season and Neymar is at 32. Imagine if Suarez hadn't been suspended for the beginning of the season, he'd be at about 40 by now.

The World Cup will always be the zenith for players coming from big footballing countries for me, no matter how I look at it. It's a much harder competition to win since it's only every 4 years and players have to perform at systems they most of the time aren't as comfortable with as it's different from their clubs. I mean you could win the CL 10 times during your career even if that's extremely unlikely of ever happening, but it'd be impossible to win 10 world cups. I mean, I know the CL has a higher level of football but the World Cup is still harder to win as you have to be at your best for many games in a short period of time. The answer to this question is George Best. If Messi had become a Spanish player (as he very nearly did) would you think he was better than he is now for having been part of that Spanish team? Which is why I clearly said big footballing countries. Messi would still be the best player of his generation even if he had chosen Spain. My only problem with Messi is that he's never played for Newcastle.

The World Cup will always be the zenith for players coming from big footballing countries for me, no matter how I look at it. It's a much harder competition to win since it's only every 4 years and players have to perform at systems they most of the time aren't as comfortable with as it's different from their clubs. I mean you could win the CL 10 times during your career even if that's extremely unlikely of ever happening, but it'd be impossible to win 10 world cups. I mean, I know the CL has a higher level of football but the World Cup is still harder to win as you have to be at your best for many games in a short period of time.

He is man, for 2014 he was absolutely rubbish. World Cup he was rubbish. He's picked it up, but under Tata and first half of this season only thing he did was cross the ball to no one. He only became better when Messi moved to the right side of the pitch and has improved defensively. lately. Seems to have more energy, probably playing for a new lengthy contract somewhere?

He has lately no doubt, was immense against Barcelona. No idea how he was doing earlier, but for all of 2014 I think Godin was the best in the league. (didn't see much of Valencia though)

Matic is nowhere near Busquet's level as a defensive midfielder. Terry wouldn't get in ahead of Godin and a reformed Pique either, or Varane for that matter. Why am I even having this debate when you think Hazard would get in ahead of Messi, Suarez, Neymar or Ronaldo.. Varane, Godin and Pique, man. Give over. I wouldn't have Varane there, especially this season. But Terry doesn't get ahead of Godin, Ramos or Pique this season imo.

I'm not being silly at all. He's a far better player than CRonaldo at their best. No doubt that distance isn't that far the moment, but in terms of their class and not form Messi is a much much better players. Ronaldo isn't really at his best to be honest; he's just in a far better team than 2-3 years ago, when he was carrying Real Madrid on a weekly basis. His physical decline is pretty noticeable, and to his credit he's adjusted his game well - but again he has the supporting cast that he didn't have before. I meant that Messi is far better player at his best than Cristiano's at his best. This season the gap has been less because Messi wasn't shining before new year, but he's a far better player than CRonaldo in terms of class.

I don't know, maybe I was somewhat harsh in the previous post, as Branislav is the best attacking defender in England by a large, large distance and clearly a good player, but I just don't think he is particularly good at any aspect of actual defensive play these days, especially given the solidity have through the first XI and the entire squad. He seems the weak link always. I think his positional sense isn't the best, but he's an excellent one on one defender no? Havent' watched enough of Chelsea lately though, Mourinho is the definition of boring.

I'm not being silly at all. He's a far better player than CRonaldo at their best. No doubt that distance isn't that far the moment, but in terms of their class and not form Messi is a much much better players.

Nah, he actually is a far better footballer than CRonaldo.

You can't have watched Barcelona to say that. He was rubbish for around 4-5 months. Really picked it up now after February, but Ivanovic has had a far better season in general.

Was at the Ghana game when Brazil undeservedly beat them 3-0 in the World Cup. He scored a magnificient goal and all and was still class with the ball and all. But man was he fat and shouldn't have played At couple of times he was at the sideline talking to the manager and trying to catch his breath when Ghana had corners. So out of form Still remember him at something like 110kg in the Brazilian league having a faster acceleration than everyone. First 5 meters was where he killed everyone. So explosive.

Real Ronaldo had already knee problems before joining Barca. Bar injuries he would've been there in the discussion with Messi. But he is nt and he was above CRonaldo in almost evert aspect of the game.

Montoya isn't solid at anything.

Shouldn't have sent the guy I played with to their USL affiliate. Stuff like this wouldn't be happening with him in the side

Not even you froggy can agree with what Sir Alex said.

Not biased at all from Sir Alex. Still smarting from when Messi raped his team in 2 CL finals :thup:

Not biased at all from Sir Alex.

1. Dortmund has had trouble all season, while they seemed to be turning it around their team isn't much better than Juventus and they still got away with a chance from Turin. Good win for Juve no doubt, not debating that. For the 2nd leg they lost a bit in form in the league. They were playing okish football but were unable to produce anything of note going forward. Obviously they had the same problem against Juve, but it was also a great goal from Tevez and then defensive errors which made the score 3-0. 2. Obviously you are right you don't win on papers, but at the same time expectations are different when you're team is stronger. 3. It's obviously here where we differ in ideas, if I only looked at results and not performances I would probably think Allegri is some kind of genius, unfortunately his team is less convincing than Conte despite the players they have. Obviously I haven't followed Juventus intensely this season but they haven't impressed when I have. He has relied heavily on Tevez offensively, just like he did with Zlatan at Milan. Let's not forget that my main point is that this Juventus side is worse than the one under Conte. 4. What Mole posted above. As for the league being weaker, it's not true, the league is weaker now. They went unbeaten in a season under Allegri's Milan side which included Zlatan and Thiago Silva as their star player. Clearly the two best players in the Serie A at the time. I respect your opinion, I don't agree with it. I think Allegri has done what is expected from his squad. I'm not the only one who has this ''simple'' opinion though. I'm basing my opinion of Allegri on the one league win and another pending one. Also a respectable semifinal, minimum, finish. You're basing it on the fact that Dortmund have been "s***" and on the fact that he has world class players at his disposal. Get away, I'm not going to waste any further time on you. Funny you still hold a grudge, why don't you answer Mole next time then

Think we're going to be safe, but yea it's really really close.

Something so funny yet so sad about grown men doing the wanker sign/wave to players.