No disrespect to the incredible Dutchman, the Messi is on a different playing field altogether.
When Arsene Wenger described Lionel Messi as a ‘playstation footballer’ he wasn’t kidding.
The way the diminutive Argentine glided around the pitch last night, scoring an incredible five goals against Bayer Leverkusen was a vintage performance for the ages, an exhibition of a master at work.
The question of who is the best footballer in the world is fast becoming a moot point.
Robin van Persie is probably the Premier League’s best footballer, but beyond that, Lionel Messi puts him in the shade.
While van Persie blew a chance to chip AC Milan’s goalkeeper Abbiati on Tuesday night, Messi has turned it into an art form.
He is capable of slowing down the play into slow motion and doing whatever he wants with the football. Look at a goal he scored at the Nou Camp against Arsenal, where he received the ball in a similar situation to van Persie, and flicked it up in the air before volleying it home.
Van Persie may have a terrific goals record, but Messi scored his 48th goal in 42 games this season last night. Simply incredible.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo, a widely recognised number two in the world does not quite compare to the Argentine.
Ronaldo is simply one of the best in the world at present, whereas Messi is one of the best ever- and that is the difference.
Messi is being talked about in the company of Diego Maradona and Pele, which says it all.
Many pundits believe Messi’s like has never been seen before, and the scary thing is, the Barcelona star is only 24.
Where does Messi rank among the all time greats? How do you think Robin van Persie compares to the Argentine?
image: © Aitor Escauriaza
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