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| Lionel Messi The Greatest Soccer Player Ever |
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| Wife & son Thiago going to stadium |
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| Wife & son enjoying match in stadium |
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| All smiles Antonella and Thiago look happy to be among the other Argentina fans as they enter the ground |
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| Messi's wife Antonella Roccuzzo and baby son Thiago were on the stadium for the match |
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| Messi's wife Antonella Roccuzzo and baby son Thiago were on the stadium for the match |
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| Family man Messi poses with his young son |
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| Mummy's boy Antonella grips Thiago as they enter the Estadio Mineirao to watch his father play |
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| Thiago messi: the next gen football player |
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| Happy Thiago messi |
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| Lionel Messi enjoys some quality time with his family during the World Cup |
When Argentina begin their World Cup campaign
on Sunday against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it will perhaps mark Lionel Messi’s last
chance to gain ground on two of football’s most prominent legends.
While several players are worthy of consideration for the title of
“greatest of all-time,” the two players who have garnered the most praise have
been Pele and Diego Maradona. Messi has strengthened his case to be listed in
the same company based on his career club success with Barcelona, but Pele and
Maradona thrived in the World Cup, and so far Messi has done little in the
competition.
The 26-year-old made his World Cup debut in 2006, and scored his
only goal against Serbia &Montenegro days before turning 19. But the score
was 5-0 in the 88th minute when he notched his strike, and that was all he
would score in all World Cup action – including 2010. Though Messi looked sharp
in group play in 2010, many Argentine supporters were expecting more, and his
lack of scoring served as further evidence that he has some ways to go to match
the achievements of Pele and Maradona.
Messi’s individual struggles have paralleled team struggles. In
2006, Argentina reached the quarterfinals, but were bounced by host-nation Germany
in a penalty shootout. The same fate would befall on Argentina in 2010, but the
final score was far more painful as the Germans took control early and didn’t
look back, 4-0.
Messi had entered South Africa after displaying top form with
Barcelona. There was little doubt that he was the world's best player after
winning the FIFA World Player of The Year Award in 2009, then following it with
the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010, 2011 and 2012, as well.
A title and individual success in the World Cup have eluded the
highly skilled Rosario native, and plagued his contribution to the game.
Suggestions of his success being buttressed by the star Barcelona-playmaker duo
of Andres Iniesta and Xavi began to grow in merit. Argentina have a large
collection of quality midfielders, but few can match the skills and chemistry
that the Catalans provide Messi. While Barcelona often operate like a
well-oiled machine, Argentina never quite seem to be in the right rhythm.
Though Messi is a casualty in Argentina’s inability to play a
sophisticated passing attack, his legacy could be sealed if he gets Argentina
to advance despite obvious challenges. While Barcelona may appear flawless at
times, Argentina have room for improvement. The two-time champions lack an
elite goalkeeper and have multiple holes in defense. They also had a history of
underachieving before Messi ever made an appearance, failing to reach the
semifinals since reaching the final in 1990.
But the pieces still may be in place for Argentina to thrive in
Brazil 2014. They have a strong midfield that includes Real Madrid’s Angel di
Maria and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano at defensive midfielder. Messi
will also have two star forwards to take the pressure off of him in Gonzalo
Higuain and Sergio Aguero.
Helpfully, the Argentines were handed a rather weak group, with
World Cup debutantes Bosnia being the biggest threat to a first-place finish,
ahead of Nigeria and Iran. Should Argentina win the group and avoid facing
France in the Round of 16, a probable scenario, they may have a relatively kind
path to the semifinals.
How deep Argentina can go, may depend on how far Messi can take
them. Indeed, head coach Alejandro Sabella described Messi as “irreplaceable,”
but warns that the squad can’t rely on just one player.
"There is a team which must help Messi," Sabella told
reporters in May. "We cannot put all the responsibility on his shoulders.
He is happy. He feels sheltered by his team-mates."
In World Cup qualifying, Messi was on top of his game. He also
didn’t have quite as much success with Barcelona last season, perhaps
suggesting that he was devoting more of his focus and fitness to being at his
best in Brazil. If Messi could use any more motivation, he can look back at his
second-place finish to Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
But it’s not Ronaldo who truly hovers over Messi’s legacy; it’s
Pele, and more dauntingly, Maradona. Neither legend had the same success at the
club level as Messi. But Pele was on the Brazil roster of three World Cup
titles, while Maradona scored perhaps the World Cup’s most memorable goal and
led Argentina to their last World Cup title in 1986. He also helped lead them
to the title game in 1990.
Maradona was a hero of epic proportions for Argentina. His talent
was so pronounced even at age 22 that at the 1982 World Cup, legendary Italy
defender Claudio Gentile beat and battered the diminutive star every time he
was anywhere near the ball to help the eventual champions eliminate Argentina.
Years after Maradona’s retirement from national duties in 1994, there had been
talk of “the next Maradona.” While Ariel Ortega and Javier Saviola fizzled,
Messi has lived up to, and perhaps exceeded, quite lofty expectations.
The pressure of Maradona’s success hangs over Messi now more than
ever. Superstar players love to prove their critics wrong, and Messi may
forever be branded as a player who only thrived for club but not for country.
He has been a goal-scoring machine for Barcelona, scoring a club-record 382
goals, but his scoring ratio for Argentina is far more modest (38 goals in 86
appearances.)
The next several weeks loom large for Messi. He will not only need
to score multiple goals, but also must play a pivotal role in a strong run by
Argentina. A player of unquestionable talent, it’s hard to fathom that he won’t
be playing at his highest level for a tournament that will be watched by
roughly a billion viewers.
For a player who has already achieved so much, Messi has that one
last hurdle to jump.
Is Lionel Messi already the greatest player of all time?
Paul Hayward, Chief
Sports Writer: Messi's record in the
Champions League and against Real Madrid is putting heat on Maradona and
perhaps even Pele in the debate about who's the all-time No 1. At club level
neither Maradona nor Pele faced the relentless tests of a multi-phase Champions
League, but both were undeniably greater international footballers - Maradona,
in an Argentina side who would be swept away by Messi's Barcelona. Zinedine
Zidane is the modern player who elevated his national side while also dazzling
at a top European club (Real Madrid). To call Messi the all-time greatest now
might be premature by around two years, but I'm certain he's heading that way.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil could satisfy the traditionalists who insist that
Fifa's circus is still the pinnacle.
Alan Smith, Football
Columnist, former England international: I had the pleasure of once sharing the same pitch with Diego
Maradona. Up until now, he is the best player I had ever seen. Yet Messi takes
things further. Not only is he incredibly talented, his steady temperament
makes him a much more dependable teammate. Without question the best ever.
Mark Ogden, Northern
Football Correspondent: I’ve always viewed Diego Maradona as the world’s best-ever
footballer simply because of his brilliance at the World Cup in 1986, when he
carried Argentina to trophy. The wonder goal against England obviously stands
out, but he also scored a stunning goal against Belgium in the semi-finals
which people often overlook. Having watched Messi destroy Leverkusen with
Barcelona, you cannot deny that he is knocking on the door of being the best
ever. But Maradona carried two unremarkable teams – Argentina and Napoli – to
glory as a player while Messi has yet to shine on the international stage and
nobody can argue that Barcelona are unremarkable. So for me, Maradona is still
the number one.
Ian Chadband, Chief
Sports Correspondent: I have so far gone
along with the theory that until his genius makes the major contribution to an
Argentine World Cup win, just as Pele's did for Brazil in 1958 and 1970 and Maradona's
for Argentina in 1986, Messi will have to stand in the rank below the two
greatest of all. Yet each astonishing masterpiece for Barcelona at the highest
level of club combat, not to mention the fact that he is already the compiler
of the most fabulous individual highlights reel in football history, keeps
gnawing away, persuading me that his consistent level of brilliance, displayed
on such a routine basis that he can make the ethereal seem almost workaday, is
inexorably putting him in a league of his own. And, yes, if he can stay fit,
how perfect if Brazil in 2014 turns out to his moment to silence Pele's little
asides about him having never delivered on the ultimate stage. I believe the
little genius will have his World Cup day.
Duncan White, Sunday
Telegraph Football Correspondent: Lionel Messi is certainly the greatest player I have seen in
the flesh and you can make a very compelling case for him being the best player
in the history of the game. European club football is the most technically and physically
demanding football has ever been and in that environment, Messi has been not
just brilliant but consistently brilliant. His talent is almost supernatural.
Some have reservations about his performances with the national team and will
not class him with Cruyff, Maradona and Pele until he stars at a World Cup but
I think priorities have changed. In those days, in terms of quality of football
and difficulty of the opposition, international football was the pinnacle of
the game, these days it is the Champions League. Anyway, there is no need for
any hurry in the coronation - he is still only 24 and has a decade more of
achievement ahead of him.
Pep Guardiola :
1) “Put in the
superlatives yourselves, I’m running out. It’s already been a while now that he
has been outstanding. He’s more than decisive in every way. That he’s capable
of doing everything that he does at his age is something impressive,
that doesn't make any sense."
2) “The best players are
always in the thick of the action. (Michael) Jordan did it with the Bulls,
(Kobe) Bryant does it with the Lakers and Leo does it here. We want him to stay
with us because he’s the best and we wouldn’t swap him for anyone.”
3) “Messi is an
irreplaceable player, today if he was here we would have won 5-0 but he was not
and we had to play another in his place.”
Fabio Capello :
4) "Cristiano knows
English, Messi knows football."
Diego Maradona :
5) “I have seen the
player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi.
Messi is a genius and he can become an even better player.”
6) “His potential is
limitless and I think he’s got everything it takes to become Argentina’s
greatest player.”
7) “Messi I think is
like me, he is the best in the world along with Ronaldinho.”
Frank Rijkaard :
8) “He’s a unique player
and he deserves it, because he can do things of almost imperceptible excellence
and is a gem to watch.”
9) " Leo’s goals
are works of art.”
Johann Cruyff :
10) “He deserves ten out
of ten for doing what he does. He is a sensation, but still he can improve. He
must know when to move the ball on quickly and when to try the impossible
mission. When he learns this, he won’t win a single Golden Ball, but an entire
collection.”
Carlos Tevez :
11) “His speed is
astonishing. It’s amazing how he can go 1 to 100 in just one second. I’m
constantly around great players like Cristiano and Rooney, But this guy is just
a step up above every other great footballer out there at the moment, Not only
is he quick, determined, and extremely intelligent on the ball, but his movement
off the ball is just as fantastic – unbelievable to sum it up in a word.”
Juan Sebastian Veron :
12) “I see Maradona
every time he grabs the ball and accelerates. We must protect him. I’d
personally put him in a drawer of my bedside table.”
Gilberto :
13) “Messi’s plaudits are hard to accept, we play in other countries and we do not see the local fans supporting our players there. Over 40 thousand Brazilians applauded, and that’s hard for who is on the field. When I see them applauding Messi I get annoyed.”
Julio Grondona :
14) “Without Messi
there isn't a team for Argentina, Messi is brilliant, different, with
a strong mentality. Let’s hope he doesn't change.”
Jose Mourinho :
15) “The best way to stop Messi is when you play with 11 men and then you can double mark him, one player to stay on him and the other to help out. If it is 11 against 10 then you have almost no chance of stopping him.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge :
16) “Nobody was so
wonderful at 19 years, neither Pele nor Maradona.”
Fernando Gago :
20) “For me, the best in
the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes
matches, Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.”
21) “Messi is the best
player in the world by some way, I always thank God that he is an Argentine,
not just as a player, but as a person too. I have known him since I was 18, he
is incredible, a very good person and we are very good friends. Right now, he
is at another club, and we have a little bit of a rivalry, but the friendship
is larger and stronger.”
Theirry Henry :
22) “I have the possibility to watch Messi in training each morning, and because of what he demonstrates he is the best player in the world, he stated during a press conference. It is a pleasure to watch him, and because of the way he plays he is an undisputed leader of the Barcelona team.”
23) “What Leo does is so
incredible that I have to be careful not to stand still watching him make his
moves.”
Antonio Cassano :
24) “Ronaldinho is better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but neither are as good as Leo Messi.”
Sergio Aguero :
25) “Nowadays, Messi is better than Ronaldinho. He is the best footballer in the world right now. And I’m not the only who says so. Everyone who has seen him play says so too.”
Pele :
26) “I knew when we gave Kaka the FIFA World Player of the Year award that he (messi) would become the best player in the world. With young people like him we need patience and that is the problem we have in Brazil.”
Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva( Brazilian president)
27) “When I see Messi – who is the best player in the world in my opinion – lose the ball, he runs off until he gets it back or commits a foul. Our guys lose the ball and fold their arms.”
Carles Puyol :
28) “He is a spectacular
player, there is nobody else like him. I should not because I have suffered so
much in training. I think he is the best forward at the moment and I think he
will be so for many more years. He has his feet on the ground.”
Cesc Fabregas :
29) “He has
a great future if he can stay clear of injuries. For me, he is the best there
is.”
Ronaldinho :
30) “Every time he plays, Leo Messi reminds me more of Maradona, both left-footed and short, Messi is the best player in the world, along with Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo. For us it is not a surprise. Since he began to come and train with us and we knew we would go down this path. Someday I will explain that I was at the birth of one of the footballing greats: Leo Messi.”
Daniel Alves :
31) “Lionel Messi? When I played against him at Sevilla it was always very difficult, so now I’m pleased that we’re on the same side. He’s just fantastic.”
Mikel Arteta :
32)“It is as if someone
commands him from the stands, like a video game. I have never seen a human run
with the ball at that speed. I have not seen Maradona so I cannot compare, but
Messi is simply unbeatable.”
Raul :
33) “The other day I saw one of his games. He was running with the ball at a hundred percent full speed, I don’t know how many touches he took, maybe five or six, but the ball was glued to his foot. It’s practically impossible!”
Xavi:
34) “It is clear that
Messi is on a level above all others. Those who do not see that are blind.”
Johnny Heitinga:
35) “I believe that I
played well against Barcelona, the problem was that Lionel Messi was simply
unstoppable.”
Arsene Wenger:
36) “He’s
like a PlayStation”
Pelé - Messi is without doubt the best in the world
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