By Alan Nicolea -
May 28th 2009 @ 9:26am
Get a Roar profile
Loading ...Related coverage
Messi accepts Ronaldo’s crown as world’s best
Although the constant comparisons between countrymen Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are not yet justified, the Barcelona superstar can no doubt claim to be Ronaldo’s successor as the best footballer on the planet after playing an integral part in a team that became the first La Liga outfit in history to register the famed treble in one season.
Barcelona have capped off a stunning season by defeating Manchester United in the Champions League final to coincide with its victories in the Copa Del Rey and the Spanish Primera.
While it was assured that a Barca – United final was one of the most anticipated in living memory, the individual battle between Ronaldo and Messi was just as intriguing, given the fact the winner in Europe’s premier club competition would have undoubtedly been crowned the best player on the planet.
Ronaldo deservedly received the necessary individual accolades last season to be crowned the premier footballer in the world. The Portuguese superstar scored over forty goals last season to help guide United to victories in the Premier League and the Champions League against Chelsea.
But in the space of a season, a 21 year old Argentine who suffered a growth deficiency when he was a child, is about to succeed Ronaldo as football’s new world number one.
Sure, Messi’s performance in the Champions League final was not the greatest of all time. He participated in a couple of promising attacking raids in a first half that showcased the nerves of a player participating in such an important event at such a young age.
In the second half however, Messi came out of his shell and let his feet do the talking in a move that allowed the flawless telepathic communication between fellow midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta to flow.
What followed was vintage Messi as he seized a brilliant cross from Xavi to head home a superb goal that ultimately proved to be the final nail in the coffin for United, as Barcelona registered its third European crown.
Overall Messi’s performance in the final was enough for fans to name him the man of the match according to the official UEFA champions League website.
Indeed Barcelona’s coronation as European champions has rounded off a supreme season for Messi, where he was undoubtedly at the forefront in most of his side’s successes this season.
His second goal in the Champions League final was his ninth in just eleven Champions League appearances this season, making him the first Argentine in history to top the goal scoring charts.
Overall, Messi has scored a remarkable 38 goals this season (23 in league, 6 in cup and 9 in Europe), to see him leading the goal scoring charts in all of Europe’s premier leagues.
His efforts, alongside those of Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o, have also established Barcelona’s current forward line as the most potent in La Liga history, which is responsible for 98 goals.
Throw in his performance in Barcelona’s historical 6-2 rout against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu, and its easy to understand why it is only natural that Messi should accept Ronaldo’s crown as FIFA World Player of the year.
Many will also believe that Messi’s performances this season will see him rightfully place himself alongside fellow Argentine’s Maradona and Di Stefano as the nation’s best ever footballers.
While such comparisons remain premature, Messi will no doubt focus his supreme energy and talent on guiding Argentina to the 2010 FIFA World Cup next year.
If he ends up dominating the biggest tournament football has to offer, no doubt Messi will not only be the best player of his generation, but arguably one of the greatest of all time.
Get Australia's best Football opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(30)
Colin N said | May 28th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
As Sir Alex Ferguson said himself ‘Messi wasn’t the problem, Xavi and Iniesta were.’ They were the understated superstars of the evening that supplied the ammunition for Messi. I actually thought Ronaldo was the more influential out of the two, but he didn’t receive the type of service from his midfield that Messi did.
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Colin N
What happened to Messi last year found its way to Ronaldo’s shoes this year. Messi was by far the most influential player in last years semi final between the two sides yet he did not recieve the world class service from the likes of Xavi and Iniesta to worry United enough. Ronaldo on the other hand was superb in a side that counted with in form players such as Tevez, Carrick, Hargreaves, Giggs and Scholes.
Fast forward to this season however and Messi has been sublime, along with the rest of Barca’s midfield while Ronaldo felt he had to do everything against the Catalan giants in the final. Overall, Messi deserves the individual accolades that really should come his way after such a great season.
Tom said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Agree with Colin.
Not sure about Ronaldo being more influential though.
Colin N said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Tom,
I’m talking into respect to the service he was given. Tonight, despite having less space to work with, was at the centre of everything United did well (which, to be fair, wasn’t much). He generally held onto the ball well, although was perhaps a bit selfish at times and caused problems for the Barcelona defence all night.
However, Inesta is some player. I’ve always rated this lad, even from a few years ago, when he wasn’t getting that many games, I couldn’t quite undestand why.
Alan Nicolea,
I actually thought Messi should have been the world player of the year last year, but I think because of the lack of trophies, Ronaldo overshadowed him in that respect. I think Messi has the more natural ability with a football at his feet, but Ronaldo is more physically imposing.
Tom said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
I know what you meant. Even so, I don’t think he was more influential than Messi.
But yeah, the way Iniesta consistently manages to dribble the ball through heavy traffic to just outside the box is great to watch. Created huge problems for Man U.
Brian said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Also agree with Colin. You gotta consider that Xavi & Iniesta are way better than Carrick & Anderson. Also one game does not a player make and certainly Ronaldo was way better in the semis than say Messi who totally shut down by Chelsea. Although Messi is better at getting past players Ronaldo is a more complete player in terms of pace and free kick taking. Personally I have never liked the idea that the best player has to be from the winning side. Take this mornings game and say Park gets to the ball before Toure, someohow Ronaldo becomes better than Messi??? Truth is the Barca midfield were just better.
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:54am | Report comment
Colin
Indeed winning trophies really helps in establishing whether a player is the best or not. But to be fair, Ronaldo did score over 40 goals when he did win the trophy.
When you say Messi should have won it last year, will you do a backflip and say Ronaldo should win it this year instead of Messi?
Jarryd said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Apart from their height there is one major difference between these two fantastic players.
When body on body contact is made, Messi continues to fight and keep the ball. Ronaldo drops like a sack of crap and plays for the free… I am a Man United fan and love ronaldo but when it comes to comparing the two, that is what stands out to me.
Pippinu said | May 28th 2009 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Ronaldo has a reputation for playing for frees, perhaps well deserved – but no one could ever accuse him of lacking strength, and of occasionally using that strength to advantage.
Messi? well, Messi’s Messi. Just when we thought there were no other tricks in his kit bag, he comes up with that incredible header (an area where you’d normally think Ronaldo had it all over him)
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Pippinu
Yeah, fancy that. Although the majority of Messi’s goals have come from his feet, no doubt the header is probably the most important and valued goal so far in his career. It may well be the only goal he scores with his head, but what a time to do so.
Towser said | May 28th 2009 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
I guess there is no perfect player,but the old saying a good big un will beat a good little un stands the test of time all things being equal. But in football all things are never equal & if we could combine the best parts of Ronaldo( eg strength mentioned,maybe free kicks & spectacular goals) & the best parts of Messi( eg bulldog on the ball,master of creating space & using his tight control to advantage in that space) what a player we’d have.
Pippinu said | May 28th 2009 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
Alan
It was quite incredible (from a player who regularly does incredible things). Now is it my imagination, or was that Vidic he beat to the ball?? If it was (and my apologies in advance if I have got that wrong) – but it does make it an absolutely miraculous goal – because Vidic is rarely beaten in the air by anyone, including the biggest, strongest centre-forwards.
Towser
you often hear the expression “low centre of gravity” used to describe some players in a variety of sports, and Messi definitely has that in spades!!
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Pippinu
He beat Rio Ferdinand to the ball when i looked at the Fox Sports replay. It looks like him anyway. I think Vidic was looking on from the edge of the box, but yeah, a terrific header regardless from Messi.
Pippinu said | May 28th 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Alan
thanks for the clarification!
Art Sapphire said | May 28th 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Ronaldo was dudded by SAF’s moronic tactics.
In the first 10 minutes it looked like Ronaldo was going to take the final by the scruff of the neck and win it for Man U.
As soon as they fell behind, SAF inexplicably kept playing Ronaldo as the lone front man. Ridiculous.
Barcelona went into the game missing both full backs, Abidal and Alves.
Why this was not exploited, noboby knows. Puyol and Sylvinho are not quick.
The big loser in this game was Ferguson. Not Ronaldo.
The big winner is Pep. He wins an unprecedented treble in his 1st year as manager, now that’s an achievement.
He sold off Deco and Ronaldinho and has his team playing 21st century total football. Congrats Pep.
Pippinu said | May 28th 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
It would not be correct for me to take the full glory for Barca’s triumphs this season, but now that you mention it….
JR said | May 28th 2009 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
Puyol was fantastic last night! He put CRonaldo in his pocket and dominated the game. His personality, whether you like it or not, was a major influence, particularly in Barca recovering from a dodgy start. I do agree with the absolute brilliance of Xavi/Iniesta, and of course Mr Messi, but MoM for me was Puyol.
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 6:38pm | Report comment
JR
Indeed Puyol was masterful in shutting down Ronaldo and he played a critical role in Messi’s second goal when he attacked a clearing kick from the United defence and put Manchester on the back foot once again.
MVDave said | May 28th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
Err with a bit of luck Ronaldo could have had a hat trick in the first 20 minutes! Where was Puyol then? Not rolling around on the ground feigning injury?
Robbos said | May 28th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Yeah watching different game to me if you thought Puyol was MOM.
Colin N said | May 28th 2009 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
Oh come on, I could have scored that header, if I was in that position. Ferdinand was caught ball-watching and despite the impressive movement, it’s a header you would expect most professional football players to put away.
To answer your question from before Alan, I think Messi has been the best player in the last two years.
Alan Nicolea said | May 28th 2009 @ 11:25pm | Report comment
Colin N
Agreed. Wonder if he will be the best in 2010 – the year where possible immortality awaits.
Bestplayerintheworld said | May 29th 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Nice piece. Messi has been leading our poll at bestplayerintheworld dotcom for a long time now. Having a Champions League crown and a goal in the final under his belt, Messi should now carry the Best Player In The World title for the remainder of the year.
Ryan Steele said | May 29th 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Colin N summed it up – it was a goal that could have been netted by anyone. There was nobody even near the space.
Despite the first ten minutes, United didn’t show up for the match, and particularly in the midfield (Ronaldo included, regardless of peoples’ claims that he was the best United player on the field), where it should count most. Barcelona deserve the win for that very reason. Eto’o’s goal was the one that impressed me the most, though, not Messi’s. And Henry seemed to be the best-performing forward in the Barca lineup.
But these things are decided to appease the masses, and are more political than anything else.
Pippinu said | May 29th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Well, Rio caught ball watching is unlikely event number one (and by the way, it was an inch perfect ball to loop it over the tall timber in the first place).
A regulation header? Maybe for some, but I wouldn’t say for all.
And then for it to come from the most unlikely of sources – the smallest man to play the game since Napoleon was kicking severed heads around Versailles.
Watch it again, not only does Messi just, just get to it, but for his size, position, and direction, he hits it absolutely perfectly when he was quite unbalanced – c’mon fellas, some due regard!!!
Pippinu said | May 29th 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Further to my last post, there’s a great shot of Messi’s header in the Age today.
Messi is actually on the way down, which gives an indication of how high he must have got to reach it. Also you can see that he was quite unbalanced stretching to get his head to it, so it really was a sensational effort.
There’s a great shot of van der Sar, mouth wide open like a Luna Park clown, goggle eyed, it almost looks like he’s got it covered, but the expression appears to be saying: bloody hell, don’t tell me the short arse is going to get one over me!!!
Slippery Jim said | May 29th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Bestplayerintheworld, I was shocked and dismayed to see your link did not reveal that it was Didier Drogba! Who is this “Messi” character you mention??? Never mind, I took the opportunity to vote for Chelsea’s African Lion in your link page.
Pippinu said | May 29th 2009 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
hasn’t Drogba been missing in action the last 18 months or so???
Slippery Jim said | May 29th 2009 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
Pippu, the last stats (up until the 6th of May) that I recall for Drogba is that he scored 10 goals in 14 games for Chelsea, and 34 in 54 games for his national team. The Drog is on fire I tells ya!
Pippinu said | May 29th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
granted – 10 from 14 is pretty good in anyone’s language