You're 5 greatest football (soccer) players of all time and ultimate team

[I_Luv_2_Game]

@OP Pele isn't on your list.. I don't know much about soccer.. But I do know one thing not having Pele on your G.O.A.T list is like not having michael jordan on your G.O.A.T basketball player list..

[Duff-MaN_]

@OP Pele isn't on your list.. I don't know much about soccer.. But I do know one thing not having Pele on your G.O.A.T list is like not having michael jordan on your G.O.A.T basketball player list..

Pele was a fantastic player, however in that Brazil team I believe there was a better player called Garrincha. Thats not to say I would disagree with anyone including Pele if thats there choice its just in my opinion there have been better players.

Also my only experience of Michael Jordan was watching space jam so i cant really comment too much about that.

[spyrde]

MAradona was a cheating druggy though.

Still bitter, eh

[Kopkiwi]

I have to disagree, for one Messi isn't the best in the world by a mile. Xavi is either as good or very close. He is an all time great though (as is xavi), his champions league record proves this, is the champions league not a world stage? Messi deserves all the plaudits he gets.

Yes the Champions League is a world stage, but it's also an absolute joke of a competition. You only need to look at this years QF and SF. Last seasons United team was probably their weakest for 10-15 years. Yet it thumped a team that destroyed last years winners and made the final.

[santinomarella]

Yes the Champions League is a world stage, but it's also an absolute joke of a competition. You only need to look at this years QF and SF. Last seasons United team was probably their weakest for 10-15 years. Yet it thumped a team that destroyed last years winners and made the final.

[Shibby]

Actually it's not a world stage, it's a European stage . And Kiwi not too sure we want to be calling it a joke when we flaunt 5 times lol.

Edit: before anyone says anything, I obviously know Europe is pretty much the world in football.

[Kopkiwi]

Actually it's not a world stage, it's a European stage . And Kiwi not too sure we want to be calling it a joke when we flaunt 5 times lol.

Edit: before anyone says anything, I obviously know Europe is pretty much the world in football.

Been a joke since about 2001.

IMO, they need to go back to the original format. League CHAMPIONS only. At most 2nd place as well.

[Shibby]

Won't happen. The longer the competition, the more advertising money, the more revenue, etc. UEFA too greedy.

[Kopkiwi]

Won't happen. The longer the competition, the more advertising money, the more revenue, etc. UEFA too greedy.

Yeah I know. Sad really. As it's taken away some the excitement of it when you can guarantee your big teams are ALWAYS going to get through.

[Duff-MaN_]

Actually it's not a world stage, it's a European stage . And Kiwi not too sure we want to be calling it a joke when we flaunt 5 times lol.

Edit: before anyone says anything, I obviously know Europe is pretty much the world in football.

I knew someone would say that the world cup final to be fair only featured european players whereas the champions league final had players from europe, south america and asia.

[LC77]

Champions League is more important than the World Cup nowadays. I couldn't care less about England ever winning it and the last World Cup was one of the worse ever.

Messi will probably go on to become the greatest ever, but not just yet.

[DaveNI1979]

My top 5 greatest ever in no particular order:-

Johan Cruyff
George Best
Pele
Maradona
Zidane

My choices are based on where they greatest of there generation and influence they had on there teams. Other players I think were great are Dalghish (obviously lol), Franco Baresi (best reader of the game ever), Batistuta, Marco van Basten, Rummenigge, Jean Pierre Papin, Cantona, Maldini, Stoichkov, Hagi could go on and on. Il make my ultimate team later when I have a think.

A few posts back I read someone doubting why zidanes in people's lists or comparing him to messi. For one they mustnt of ever saw zidane in his prime, around 2002. He was on a different planet. Two Messi is a forward/striker, Zidane attacking midfielder. Unfair to compare records, goalscoring etc.

In saying that I do think Messi WILL become the greatest ever player. Argentina dont play to his strengths, he needs play down the middle and let him roam, like he does for barca. On the wing hes wasted for argentina. But even if he never wins a world cup, if he keeps scoring and playing like he has last few seasons for next 10yrs or so, 40 goals a season, then he'll get in my top 5. Him and ronaldo are on a different level to the rest but I prefer messi over ron.


Heres my ultimate team.

GK:- Peter Schmeichel
LB:- Maldini
CB:- Baresi
CB:- Nesta
RB:- Thuram
CDM:- L Mattheus
LCM: Zidane
RAM:- Johan Cruyff
LW:- George Best
CF:- Diego Maradona
ST:- Pele

That team would be beastly lol. Subs:- Buffon, Cannavaro, Batistuta, Steven Gerrard, Messi, Ronaldo

[Duff-MaN_]

GK:- Peter Schmeichel
LB:- Maldini
CB:- Baresi
CB:- Nesta
RB:- Thuram
CDM:- L Mattheus
LCM: Zidane
RAM:- Johan Cruyff
LW:- George Best
CF:- Diego Maradona
ST:- Pele

That team looks deadly a lot of work for mattheus but he can probably cope

[Kopkiwi]

Good little article on Messi stats for Argentina at major tournaments. Probably just the reason why you CAN'T compare him with ZZ and why he isn't even close

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/edi...-in-four-major

[GTR1986]

My top 5 players would be:
* Pele
* Cryuff
* Henry
* Eusebio
*Nedved

Team:
GK: Yashin
LB: Mihajlovic
CB: Krol
RB: Thuram
CM:Beckenbeuer
CM:Nedved
AM:Cryuff
AM:Messi
LW:Henry
CF:Weah
RW:Eusebio

Subs: Bergkamp, Guardiola, Maldini, Hagi, Giggs

[Duff-MaN_]

Good little article on Messi stats for Argentina at major tournaments. Probably just the reason why you CAN'T compare him with ZZ and why he isn't even close

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/edi...-in-four-major

Did you see messi play in the copa america? His range of passing was nothing short of excellent, he got 3 assists in the last two games. To say he isn't close to zidane is absurd.

[Kopkiwi]

Did you see messi play in the copa america? His range of passing was nothing short of excellent, he got 3 assists in the last two games. To say he isn't close to zidane is absurd.

Wow. 2 games across 3 tournaments fantastic acheivement. It's been a piss poor quality tournament.

He isn't close to Zidane.

[Duff-MaN_]

Wow. 2 games across 3 tournaments fantastic acheivement. It's been a piss poor quality tournament.

He isn't close to Zidane.

All I'm saying is some Zidane fans (not necessarily you) always say don't just look at the stats he offers much more than that, but it seems fair to judge messi on a goals per game ratio for international tournaments. Messi also offers more than just goals.

[Kopkiwi]

All I'm saying is some Zidane fans (not necessarily you) always say don't just look at the stats he offers much more than that, but it seems fair to judge messi on a goals per game ratio for international tournaments. Messi also offers more than just goals.

He's had 2 assists across those 3 tournaments too...

[Duff-MaN_]

He's had 2 assists across those 3 tournaments too...

Zidane had 23 assists for france, messi already has 17. messi has 180 goals for barcelona, zidane had 128 club goals playing well over twice as many games.

[Kopkiwi]

Zidane had 23 assists for france, messi already has 17. messi has 180 goals for barcelona, zidane had 128 club goals playing well over twice as many games.

Two different positions. Messi plays purely as a goal scorer. Zidane played deeper. Messi is also playing in perhaps the most attacking team EVER. I could slot in and score 20 goals a season in that Barca team.

[Duff-MaN_]

Two different positions. Messi plays purely as a goal scorer. Zidane played deeper. Messi is also playing in perhaps the most attacking team EVER. I could slot in and score 20 goals a season in that Barca team.

Messi got 24 assists last season, not bad for a pure goal scorer. And no you probably couldn't score 20 goals in that team.

[Kopkiwi]

I love a good Football debate that doesn't turn personal. Seems rare these days

[Duff-MaN_]

Im bored of messi vs zidane now lol. How about gerrard vs scholes? Id say gerrard

[Kopkiwi]

Im bored of messi vs zidane now lol. How about gerrard vs scholes? Id say gerrard

Gerrard the better all round player. Scholes the better passer and more gifted technical player.

Gerrard and Scholes in the centre for England with a fit Hargreaves behind would have been magic.