Messi and Jordan

Lionel Messi brings me back to a time when I would turn on The TV to watch Michael Jordan play Basketball.
I could not wait and see what this man would do on the court that night, it was as though he could do what ever he wanted to do, and a 50 point night was routine. The great thing about the player was not that he scored the 50 + points but the grace, style and ease of the accomplishment.
Messi reminds me of this, on the soccer field, he is always enjoying himself and he moves around the field as though no one else is out there, this is a pure joy to watch, and the man rarely disappoints.

Ok Jordan had Scottie Pippen but that's about it. Remind me how many major tournaments Argentina has won with him on the team? He is a great player but he has to do it on the international stage too. Also remember most soccer experts will say Maradona won the 1986 World Cup on his own during a time when attacking players weren't as protected as they are now.

When Messi is on the field, they look great.

Didn't he also have Dennis Rodman?

Jordan's career was in two parts - First he was terrific athlete in college that did very well but not great because his skills were not sharp (only average shooting and ball handling skills). He likely was also constrained by Dean Smith's rigid coaching style. Since he has always been very competitive, in his second career (as a pro) he worked very hard to improve his skills. But even then, it was his athleticism that allowed him to get open shots more easily than others and that allowed him to play defense well.

Messi, on the other hand, is all about skills. He does not have great strength, size or speed. But his abilities with the ball are simply amazing.

In my mind, there is no comparison.

credit for. Could be a center of gravity thing, but he pushes through a lot of physical play.

To his creadit, he never really complains, but he does get knocked over VERY easily. He is so well protected by referees in Europe though that his quickness is sufficient. Players are afraid to touch him for fear a card.

I don't think he's a diver, but sometimes he goes down pretty easy.

go down so the whistle gets blown. There are plenty of times he takes his lick and continues play. Those are times when the advatage is still there.

Again, for a small guy, his strength gets overlooked.

Comparison??? What are you comparing?? Name the similarities between basketball and soccer??

Team sport
the offensive efforts involve possession of the ball (unlike baseball, for example) and the defense attempts to regain possession
much running and jumping is involved
playing area is rectangular and divided into equal halves
played with one round ball inflated with air
object is to put ball in opponent's goal and defend your own goal
fouls are called by a referee
little or no protective equipment worn (e.g., helments)
no playing instruments used (e.g., golf club, hockey stick)
coaches yell at players from the sidelines during active play

Messi is a good player, not a great player. A great player is one who is able to carry his team and at the same time make his team mates look better. In Messi's case the reverse has been true - he has a good group of players around him who are unselfish most times and make him look good.

Review the tapes of Maradonna, if you want to see what greatness looks like.

Review the tapes of Pele, if you really want to see what greatness looks like.

Messi...only a good player? While, arguably, he may not be as good as Maradonna or Pele, he's definitely a great player. Here are Messi's awards:

FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2

2010, 2011

Ballon d'Or: 1

2009

FIFA World Player of the Year: 1

2009

World Soccer Player of the Year: 2

2009, 2011

World Soccer Young Player of the Year: 3

2006, 2007, 2008

ESM Team of the Year: 5

200506, 200708, 200809, 200910, 201011

European Golden Shoe: 1

2010

La Liga top goalscorer: 1

2010

Copa del Rey top goalscorer: 1

2011

La Liga Player of the Year: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

LFP Best Player: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

LFP Best Forward: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

La Liga Foreign Player of the Year: 3

2007, 2009, 2010

La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year: 4

2007, 2009, 2010, 2011

UEFA Champions League top goalscorer: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 1

2011

UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 1

2009

UEFA Champions League Forward of the Year: 1

2009

UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match: 1

2011

UEFA Team of the Year: 4

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011



Onze d'Or: 3

2009, 2010, 2011

Bravo Award: 1

2007

Tuttosport Golden Boy: 1

2005

FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2

2009, 2011

FIFA U-20 World Cup Player of the Tournament: 1

2005

FIFA U-20 World Cup top goalscorer: 1

2005

Copa América Young Player of the Tournament: 1

2007

FIFPro World Young Player of the Year: 3

2006, 2007, 2008

FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 5

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Olimpia de Oro: 1

2011

Olimpia de Plata: 6

2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Male Best Athlete in Latin America: 1

2011

Marca Leyenda: 1

2009

L'Équipe Champion of Champions: 1

2011

And what is his record with Argentina??

Pele led his country Brasil to World Cup glory.

Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory.

You can't get any higher achievement than winning the World Cup.

Again, Messi is a good player; he simply isn't great!

if you don't think Pele and Maradonna played for gifted teams ...they did. Different time, but they did.

Where would Madonna be without Bebeto