Messi just doesn't seem fit but he's still producing the moments that have helped drag Argentina to the final. It is a poor side he's playing in. Bar one moment (both provided by Messi) Higuain and Di Maria have had shocking tournaments and Aguero's done the sum total of f*ck all other than scoring in the shootout. Lavezzi's done nothing either or Maxi when he's played or Gago. Messi and Mascherano have carried the side. Messi's real legacy at the tournament will be determined by the final but even if he has a shocker then he's still helped them reach the final more akin to Maradona in 90. Last night Van Gaal's whole gameplan was to stop Messi - which stopped Holland's own attacking game - and Argentina's other forwards didn't have the wherewithal to take advantage, although a fully-fit Aguero and Di Maria starting probably would have. Even still, Messi produced two good goalscoring chances at the end of extra time for them to win the game. He scored the vital first penalty, stepping up to take it when other Holland players bottled taking the first one. Even in a quiet game he's contributed well. Same for the assist to win the Switzerland game.
If selected itll be the first time since 1966 that 3 players from an English side will represent their country in a world cup final. And as its 3 City players(hopefully) Argentina for me. Even if its just Zaba,still Argentina.
Argentina did there best to stop Robben as well and on both counts it worked . people are speaking like it was attack after attack from the Argies and saying very little about how negative they were as well just focusing on LVG tactics . What did people expect him to do give Messi the freedom of the park
Messi gets nothing compared to what Pele had to endure on the pitch. He used to get mobbed by the opposition defenders. Maradona as well to a lesser extent. The reason Messi will never be one of the greats is that they stood up when it mattered on the biggest stage, In the most important games and refused to lose. They dominated those competitions. Messi was deemed not good enough in 2002. In 2006 a team was built around him by Maradona, a terrible manager but that doesn't excuse Messi for his abject performances. This time around he has scored and played well against some of the poorest teams at the World Cup. The Belgium and Holland games when he was needed he failed to deliver. He failed to stand up and make something happen, That's a skill only a few have possessed, That's why they are greats. Even the likes of De stefano and Best who never got the chance to play a world cup, They still had that ability to rise above the other 21 players on the pitch in those big pressure games when it really mattered. I don't expect much from him tomorrow and very much hope the vastly more talented Germans outplay and beat the Argues comfortably.
Watch Messi during an El Classico and tell me he doesn't get terrible treatment. The rest of that post is so full of shite an errors it almost gave me aids.
If you think Messi gets treatment like they used to dish out to Pele and others back in the 60's and 70's then you are deluded. If the defenders gave Messi what they used to give Pele then there would only be 7 players left on the pitch. He plays in an age where his type of player are so well protected by refereeing and yet he still can't shine in the big game. I hate the way people have to knock one out over Messi because he scored four against Almeria. Good player but that's it.
I think you're being more than a little ungracious and going way over the top. I suspect you have an hatred for Argentinians. Did you fight at Goose Green?
It is true that I hate the Argies but I do regard Maradona as the best ever. I just don't regard Messi's achievments in the same way. I may have gone over the top making my point as I have already said that Messi is the best at present. Just not an all time great.
I think that players can only really be fairly judged at the end of their careers. And nostalgia has a funny effect of people's memories... No player is perfect. Messi is definitely the stand-out player currently in my opinion. I have money on Argentina, so win for them please! But lets have some goals in this one...
Would like Argentina to win this but have backed Germany in a little bet as on form they have been the best team in the tournament. Seven different goal scorers shows they are not reliant on one player unlike Argentina.
It might not be as brutal as they used to be, but you still get harsh treatment these days as a playmaker/forward. Neymar was literally kicked out of the tournament and constantly fouled. In terms of World Cups 66 (and 62) were particularly brutal because the English refs in 66 didn't officiate the games properly and give any protection to the likes of Pele.
In four penalty shootouts Germany have missed a grand total of one spot kick out of seventeen penalties. If this goes to a shootout then I am going to gamble the house on them winning.
Two previous finals, a ding donger in 1986 settled by Burruchage late on, and a more dour 1-0 win via a Brehme penalty late on in 1990 Could we expect a late winner this time too? Germany won in Europe, Argentina in central America so you might favour the argies. I hope Germany break the European duck of not winning in South America, the previous four finals in South America, Brazil beat the Czechs in Chile 62, Argentina beat Holland in Argentina 78. The three World Cups in USA/Mexico were all won by South Americans and all beating European finalists, so in seven previous finals in the American continents the winners have been Brazil (3), Argentina (2) and Uruguay (2) with five European Runners-Up - Italy (2), Germany (1), Czechoslovakia (1) and Holland (1) - with the other two all South American finals
A - "Die Engländer" and I'm not cheering on the Germans ! B - Lots of sheep . C - Falklands, Maradona cheating. That'll do for a start.
