Like you, Flobs, i also love those players but Messi minimalist efficiency is something that has grown on me.
After Ronaldinho's flamboyance and Henry's je ne c'est quoi, it took me a while to appreciate him.
CRonaldo's dickheadery probably helped.

Messi looks like he is having fun on the pitch again this season. Starting on the flank, and with a slightly different role, seems to have got him to enjoy his football again. I enjoy watching him play this season in a way I have been unable to for a couple of seasons. Personally, I think he looked as if he had lost that joy for a few years, despite racking up goals and assists.

flobaba wrote:

It's not just Messi though, football today seems to be too mechanical, too predictable, too professional. I think this is why we all enjoyed that Messi goal so much. It was unexpected. Big game, big skill, big goal. That's what we watch for, isn't it? I don't know if it's just me, but I feel I used to see that kind of thing more often in the previous two decades . Especially from the big clubs, and big players.

Yes, flobbers, like you I prefer players from the School of the Golden Catheter. Zidane's pretty much my fave.

However, this does not detract from the fact that Messi is feckin amazeballs and pretty much the greatest.

Nor does that detract from the fact that Cronaldo is a frickin phenomenon.

From F365:

I don't care about whether he is the best now, the best there has ever been or the best there ever will be. Taking the time to compare Messi to other players can only reduce the time spent watching him play. Every second would be a waste.

"There is no defence that can stop Messi. It is impossible," Guardiola said during his press conference on Tuesday. "How he is playing at the moment, you cannot stop him. Defending with nine in your area or 11 pressing high. You can't always be at your best physically during your career, there are ups and downs, but the way he has played the last four or five months there is no way to stop him. He is too good." Thirty-six hours later, we had the proof. Messi's second goal was stupendously good. At his best, he cannot be stopped.

My favourite thing about Messi (and it's a long list) is that nothing is unnecessary. For a player with such incredible skill there is actually very little flamboyance. Every touch is for a reason, no moment wasted. His fantastic football brain maps his route to goal; his phenomenal talent takes him there in the most efficient number of actions. What looks sexy is actually unerringly economical.

Watch Messi's second goal again, from the moment he takes on Jerome Boateng. An international defender is made the star of a million Vines. The greatest goalkeeper in the world is left stranded and helpless. Four touches.

Four touches. One to set the trap, to give Boateng the sniff. One to commit the defender to making the grave mistake; the trap snaps shut. One more to send Boateng spinning and tumbling to the floor. One final touch to dink the ball over Neuer, with his wrong foot. Never once did Messi move out of stride.

Messi is not a magician, because nothing he does is magic. It's just the same old football, but done to perfection.

General Mirth wrote:

From F365:

My favourite thing about Messi (and it's a long list) is that nothing is unnecessary. For a player with such incredible skill there is actually very little flamboyance. 

Exactly. Which is why he won't always be everyone's favourite, especially those who love that flamboyance.

By flamboyance do you mean step overs and dancing after scoring goals?

I don't see how this isn't just as outrageous as what Ronaldinho did. Granted, it's not the same 'samba' football but the level of skill involved is arguably even higher.

flobaba wrote:

I don't know...

Okay, so before anyone thinks I'm a Messi hater, I'm not - this goes for Ronaldo as well, and most of the "great" footballers today.

The last players I truly enjoyed watching week in, week out were Ronaldo (el Fenomenon), Ronaldinho. And then Henry. Sometimes Ibrahimovic.

And I think I've realized Why don't I enjoy watching Messi as much. He is too "efficient".

The aforementioned players, and the likes of Maradona, Zidane, heck even bloody Matt Le Tissier, were players who would step onto the football field not just to play, but to entertain. They would stand in front of their defenders with the aim of showing them that they were superior in talent and ability. They would pick opponents and humiliate them effortlessly. Toying with them endlessly, teasing them, frustrating them with outrageous pieces of skill. Playing like they were the best kids in the playground, and they knew it.

It's not just Messi though, football today seems to be too mechanical, too predictable, too professional. I think this is why we all enjoyed that Messi goal so much. It was unexpected. Big game, big skill, big goal. That's what we watch for, isn't it? I don't know if it's just me, but I feel I used to see that kind of thing more often in the previous two decades . Especially from the big clubs, and big players.

I get what you're saying, but it's weird that you say the part in bold text and at the same time say that Messi is too efficient. He does stuff like that goal all the time.

Messi does those body feints and shimmies like nobodies business but the outrageousness of the skills the likes of Ronaldinho and original Ronaldo used to do was just unbelievable, "OMG WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED" moments. For me Messi doesn't have those kind of moments as often.

The most surprising part of that video was seeing Robben with a full set of hair. I honestly thought he was born bald.

Regarding Messi he is as entertaining to watch as any of the great players I've seen. The way he skips through players effortlessly without needing over steps or flashy skills doesn't make him dull to me. His mind and feet are just quicker than the rest of his opponents. Its not like he doesn't do the outrageous every now and then either.

Sort of agree with flob. Obviously I can see that Messi has been the best player for some time now but still something quite mechanical about his style. Don't particularly like Ronaldo, Bale or Suarez either. Love more silkier players, might help to be tall to have that languid look although for current footballers my favourite in terms of style has been Iniesta. In our league probably Ozil and Van Persie.  

Rayman wrote:

By flamboyance do you mean step overs and dancing after scoring goals?

No, I mean deliberately taking the piss out of your opponents, essentially showboating, even when doing that isn't the quickest, easiest, safest option to get you a goal.

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

Like nutmegging?

No.

If you want flamboyance, just watch Neymar instead.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Or jay jay okocha

He was so good they named him twice. 

Messi is plenty entertaining. Had a few apathetic years, but when he plays with enthusiasm he's a great watch.

Aguero is truly a modern, efficient athlete. He's a good player in that he's accurate. Accurate shots, passes, whatever. Boring player.

5 days later

I felt it was important to post this: 

Both Messi and Ronaldo (who is on 307) should absolutely smash these records by the time their careers are over - even if they play at half their capacity from now until they retire.

It's unreal to think that these guys will break records that have held for 40-50 years, at a time when none of their contemporaries have come close to score as many goals with the same consistency because the rate at which Ronaldo and Messi score their goals will soon be the stories of legend. 

That Portuguezer walks all over both Messi and Ronaldo with his average of 1.68 goals per game.

And what about Gerd Muller?
He played back in the day and in a league when tackling wasn't illegal and when what would be called grievous assault nowadays would be punished with a stern talking to.

It's like he's in the matrix and everything is slowed down just for him.

Cheat mode.

Messi plays football.
Ronaldinho plays with the ball.
.

I am sure Ronaldinho plays with his balls, but there is no need to post stuff like that on the forum. Think of the children!

Ronaldinho was awesome to watch. The only way he can even be considered in this debate though is if mentality isn't a part of it, which I personally think would be ridiculous.

flobaba wrote:

It's like he's in the matrix and everything is slowed down just for him.

But that's exactly what it is. His brain is too fast and his feet can match his too fast brain.

Much prefer to watch messi than ronaldo or ronaldinho. It winds me up a bit when I see ronaldo standing still doing those ball rolls and waving a foot over the ball only to then play a short pass to the side. Also ronaldinho's no look pass annoyed me. Starting the passing motion then flicking your head to one side is wee wee

You sound very annoyed at everything Dules, little one keeping you up?

Ronaldinho pisses me off too cause he pisstakes a little too far. But still an eminent source of fun footie.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Much prefer to watch messi than ronaldo or ronaldinho. It winds me up a bit when I see ronaldo standing still doing those ball rolls and waving a foot over the ball only to then play a short pass to the side. Also ronaldinho's no look pass annoyed me. Starting the passing motion then flicking your head to one side is wee wee

Couldn't agree more on Ronaldo. He's such a stupid show pony half the time, rarely does anything special at all on the dribbling front. Messi beats people over and over and he does with such grace.

11 days later

Meh, that isn't even in his top 10 goals.

a month later

Can you imagine what it must have been like for opponents back then to play against this combination of skill. close control, pace and power? So far ahead of his peers is truly remarkable. 

Great find there, Rex.
To this day my dad says nobody will ever be as good as Pele was.
His point has always been how much better he was than his peers and you can't argue with that.