Best player ever?

[Tielemans63]

After watching Leo Messi doing his thing tonight, I'm pretty sure he's going to be the best player player of all time.

However, he's still behind Diego Maradona for me. DM brought success to average sides like Napoli and the Argentinian team of that era. So far Messi hasn't won a thing with his country.

People might go for Pele but I think the fact that he never played in Europe means we can't really know just how good he was. Yes he was brilliant for Brazil - but he played in a team full of brilliant players.

I say Dirty Diego was the best ever .

[HEGGSY]

...Messi in my opinion is the best player to ever grace the sport.

(Disclaimer: Just my opinion)</p>

[broughtonblue]

Difficult one because of different era's, leagues etc. But Johan Cruyff was brilliant

[HEGGSY]

My top 5.

1. Messi

2. Maradonna

3.Pele

4.Cryuff

5. Ronaldo.

[ScouseFox]

Personally, Ronaldinho is the player I think I'd choose to watch over anyone else in my lifetime.

But Messi is the best.

Honourable mentions to Henry (best to grace the Prem), and the real Ronaldo (internationally superb, as well as at club level).

[HEGGSY]

Personally, Ronaldinho is the player I think I'd choose to watch over anyone else in my lifetime.

But Messi is the best.

Honourable mentions to Henry (best to grace the Prem), and the real Ronaldo (internationally superb, as well as at club level).

Spot on.

What about Zidane?

[Donut]

Just like to throw in that without the injuries, Marco Van Basten would have been one hell of a player

[ScouseFox]

Spot on.

What about Zidane?

Could see why people would mention him in the same bracket. A genius in his day.

[Donut]

not that he wasnt great already, hed have had a longer career

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Obviously not as old as some people on here, but having watched replays of games from the late 80's early 90's they seemed to be more free flowing. Were games today appear to be more structured and defences more structured. So for Messi to constantly tear defences apart in this day and age has him slightly on top.

But i will say it is too hard compare players from different decades as the game does evole differently.

[Haydos]

It might be cliché but I think players are generally a lot more agile/mobile/more skilled today. It's the same with any sport eg. running times are constantly improving, ergo, athletes are getting better.

I honestly believe the stuff Messi pulls out takes more talent that the comparable Maradona and Pele. For that reason I'd plump for Messi.

Can't really judge some other players that I haven't seen as much of such as Cruyff, Eusabio etc but I think from my generation Ronaldo, Ronaldinho (most entertaining player I've ever watched), Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi all deserve mentions.

[Gold Coast Fox]

Zidane. - True legend

[The Doctor]

Mostly from old videos but my top 5 (in no particular order):

De Stefano

Puskas

Maradona

Pele

Zidane.

[Lovejoy]

Obviously all down to opinion and there is no way of comparing players from different generations, but Messi has to be up there. Wonderful player.

[Donut]

were only talking about flair players here too. lets give some defenders a mention

Baresi and Maldini were formiddable

[ozleicester]

Cannot believe that no-one has mentioned.....Georgie FKING Best!

Pele - Best

Maradona

Messi

then it just gets impossible to judge..Cruyff, Puskas, Banks, Eusabio, Ronaldo, DeStefano,.. the list goes on

[Haydos]

were only talking about flair players here too. lets give some defenders a mention

Baresi and Maldini were formiddable

I was going to mention some defenders but I don't think they're quite as exceptionally talented as attacking players.

Although Baresi was an incredible defender. As were Nesta and Maldini. Beckenbauer is another player who I've also heard had fantastic ball playing skills as well as being a great centre back. As for full backs? Love watch both Zanetti and Cafu.

Oh, and Thuram, fantastic.

[Fox92]

Messi does it all for Barcelona, but not on the International stage, just like Ronaldo. That's why I think the likes of Zidane and Cruff were better, because of what they did at club and International level.

For me though it is George Best, I'll always have this opinion. The only thing that let Best down was his place of birth. If he would have played for a better International side and therefore made World Cups, I'm sure he would have been sensational on the International stage as well. But, for club, especially Manchester United, he could do anything.

And if we're talking about defenders; Bobby Moore!

[goose2010]

There are a few greats being spouted around here and i cant really comment on some of them have only really seen them score goals on old videos. I do believe Messi is the best player in the world, probably the best ever as well, BUT I would love to see him play for some one else, he gets a lot of protection and free space with the way barca play (which is credit to the coaching staff as it works) but like others have said he just doesn't do it when he plays for Argentina. I would love to see him in England and see how he gets on against say Norwich away on a cold December night when it is throwing it down with rain and about -5, with the fans giving him abuse constantly. I think basically for him to be called the best ever he has to show it on a few different stages.

[General Smuts]

[purpleronnie]

I agree that its difficult to compare players. George best for example...just look at the terrible pitches they played on in the 60's it must have required an amazing skill level to perform under those conditions, add to the fact that players werent protected like they are today and he would constantly get kicked and no free kicks awarded - put messi under those conditions and it would be interesting to see how he would cope.

[Langston]

People might go for Pele but I think the fact that he never played in Europe means we can't really know just how good he was.

What rubbish. Take into account just how much stronger the Brazilian domestic game was back in that era.

[GLC]

Ronaldinho has done it all and tbh his goals against chelsea we're amazing, first he bounces of john terry like he wasn't there and then this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuzNfIhdX1Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E97zHKmnl6A

[NeilyBoy]

Chrissy P > Chrissy Ron

Back on topic though: Messi's a tricky one to call because we've only ever seen him at a club full of great players and you have to wonder if he'd be as effective in a team where he actually has to carry them a la Van Persie. Actually, it could be argued that Argentina is that team and he hasn't been the force for them that he is for his club.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to pin one single player down as best ever, but here's my list of players there or thereabouts:

Messi, Chrissy Ron, Maradona, Old-skool Ron, Giggs, Bestie, Ronaldinho, Gordan motha-fvcking Banks, Cruyff, Zizou, Kluivert, Zico, Pele, Henry, Van the Man, Maldini, Gazza, have I missed anyone?

Oh and that Colombian goalie who did that audacious scorpion.

[Amin]

I personally feel that we are going to have to wait until after he has retired until we can properly judge how good Messi has been compared to greats such as Pele, Maradona, Garrincha, Eusebio, Cruyff, Ronaldo, Zidane etc...