Hopefully Messi won’t follow in Ronaldinho’s steps
Columnist
By Tony Tannous, 9 Apr 2010 Tony Tannous is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Barcelona football, football, La Masia, lioneal messi, World Football
FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts after scoring his third goal against Arsenal. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Just over four years ago, I watched, rather gob-smacked, an 18 year old Argentine kid, a product of the Barcelona’s famous youth academy, La Masia, absolutely toy with and destroy three defenders in one Champions League game at Stamford Bridge.
One, Chelsea’s Spanish left back Asier del Horno, was so embarrassed by the little dynamo he was left with no choice but the lunge out recklessly and earn himself a red card.
Del Horno had been chasing shadows for much of the first leg of the round of 16 clash, and simple couldn’t get close to Lionel Messi.
Far from a dirty player, del Horno was in complete panic. Clueless. He has barely been sighted since.
Even when he was announcing his arrival to the world, as he was that night, Messi was destroying defenders. Paulo Ferreira and Geremi each had a turn following del Horno’s send-off, and didn’t fare any better.
The beauty of his performance that night is that he did it on an absolute cow-paddock.
And he wasn’t alone.
The Barcelona side that night featured the then world number one, Ronaldinho, and what an incredible performance he produced with his dribbling and dancing. He had the ball, and the game, on a string.
For those of you keen on a trip down memory lane, here is my review of the match, one of my first on The Round Ball Analyst.
At the time, on the back of two world player of the year awards, two domestic titles for Barcelona and having already won the World Cup in 2002, he was starting to be talked about in Spain as one of “the six greats” along with Alfredo Di Stefano, Pele, Johan Cruyff, Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.
The only thing missing at the time was the ‘trophy with big ears’, as the Champions League is affectionately known, which he addressed a couple of months later in the final against Arsenal.
Heading into Germany 2006, if Ronaldinho could influence the favourites Brazilian to a second straight World Cup, and then continue to be an influence at club level, he would surely go down as one of the six.
At the time he was rather modest about his status in the world game, famously saying at one point that he wasn’t even the best player at Barcelona (he had the young Messi in mind). How prophetic those comments look now.
What happened next must surely be one of the greatest mysteries and saddest wastes of talent in the history of the game.
A failed World Cup under the conservative Carlos Alberto Pereira, a strangely muted Ronaldinho, and then the downward spiral.
Ronaldinho went home, partied hard, apparently put on weight, started missing training sessions and never again looked the same player, for club or country.
He looked shot, completely burnt out, and the Barca fans turned on him. After two disruptive, self-destructive seasons, Ronaldinho moved on.
While, today, he produces sporadic “wow” moments at AC Milan, more often the world has been left thinking “why, oh why?”
Messi is now the King of Catalonia and world football.
As we marvel at yet another breathtaking display at the Nou Camp this week, and comparisons with the all-time greats re-surface, the only hope is that Messi doesn’t go down the path of his predecessor.
The hope is that he does influence Argentina in a big way in South Africa, and continues to produce the goods for years to come.
Follow Tony on Twitter @TonyTannousTRBA
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- Explore:
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Brian Quinn said | April 9th 2010 @ 3:12am | Report comment
Messi could NEVER follow in Ronaldinho’s footsteps as he has not got the skills. We will wait and see what happens at the World Cup. If Ronaldinho is allowed to play for Brazil, Messi won’t get a look in.
Barry said | April 9th 2010 @ 3:16am | Report comment
That goal Ronnie scored in 2006 which people still wet their pants over only went in via a deflection off my favourite Chelsea player of all time – Eidur Gudjohnsen. Yeah, not really relevant here but still…
JR said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:22am | Report comment
Hey, I like Gudjohnsen too! Very intelligent player with plenty of skill and physical presence.
Gibbo said | April 9th 2010 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
did you two just become best friends?
Slippery Jim said | April 9th 2010 @ 7:41pm | Report comment
Indeed. One needs merely google “Gudjohnsen Bicycle Leeds” to find a video showing the brilliant qualities of Eidur. My favourite Chelsea goal of all time, for sheer difficulty of execution.
Roger Rational said | April 9th 2010 @ 6:28am | Report comment
Hopefully Messi cuts out the typically Argie style rolling around on the floor. No need for it.
Colin N said | April 9th 2010 @ 6:49am | Report comment
What do you mean? Barcelona are one of the worst sides for trying to con the referee and when a decision goes against them, several players then take upon themselves to crowd the referee.
In fact, Messi himself got one the Arsenal players booked for his play-acting.
Roger Rational said | April 9th 2010 @ 7:00am | Report comment
Yeah that’s what I mean. Rolling around. Harrassing the referee. Barca have been at it for years. I think they get upset when anyone tries to tackle them. But it looks like their mate Platini is doing his best to ban tackling though eh.
James said | April 9th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
The symmetry (spelling?) in their early careers is amazing, but I don’t think Messi is as much of a party boy as Ronnie. Surely he won’t be that stupid to throw it all away like Ronnie?
Thanks for another great yarn Tony
Roger and Colin, you must be having a laugh
Colin N said | April 9th 2010 @ 10:58am | Report comment
“Roger and Colin, you must be having a laugh”
Why?
whiskeymac said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Barca has had some amazing players over the years. Since i’ve been watching them they have had luminaries like Romario, stoichkov and hagi and then Ronaldo, Figo and Ronaldinho. and they now have the brilliance of Messi, who is looking to cement all the hype and firm as the best of that lot at least.
Most seem to have a moment in the sun followed by issues (i know this is not barca per se, and is levelled at “players” generally be they in La liga or elsewhere) which exaceberate their decline. From spotlight and high expectations to yesterdays hero must be hard for some.
Maybe once you are at the top the only way is down – and thats when the partying, abuse and other issues creep in? or is it that ronnie always was a party man. like Adriano, Ronaldo, Gazza and Jardel etc and as he lost a bit of edge with age, and didnt work hard (say like a Beckham or Maldini) to make up for it, his performances suffered?
Tony Tannous said | April 10th 2010 @ 12:18am | Report comment
i think you’re right whiskey, ronnie always enjoyed a party, he just abstained for a few years, and then exploded.
preciouspress said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Messi is certainly a contender for the best-ever, but he is yet to perform at the highest level for his country and also must continue to shine into his twenties and beyond. Tony Tannous mentions some other now retired and worthy contenders and I would like to add Bobby Charlton to the list. He performed superbly for 14 seasons at club and international level. When he had the ball, crowds were hushed in expectation and not once was did he have his name taken (the then equivalent of a yellow card) for foul play or indiscipline. Bobby is still the best I have seen.
Lu said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:05am | Report comment
I thinks it’s been mentioned on another thread, but Messi will struggle for country with Maradona as manager..
clayton said | April 9th 2010 @ 9:34am | Report comment
If you think about
- how much running / movement players make in games now,
- the number of games top players will play
- the money
- and the media exposure that players now live with
It will be a surprise if anyone can stay “best in the world” for a significant period of time. I am expecting more player burnout.
Having the talent is not enough, you can`t stay there without mental strength and discipline.
Tony Tannous said | April 10th 2010 @ 12:16am | Report comment
good point clayton, the game is very physical and demanding today, here’s hooping Messi doesn’t get kicked into the ground, and that he keeps smiling.
Worlds Biggest said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Ronnie achieved so much so early in his career ( World Cup Winner, Domestic and Champions League winner ) that he took his foot off the pedal and partied. Similar to another Ronnie before him. For Messi to be discussed in the same sentence as the aforementioned legends he needs to lead the Argies to a World Cup win. With Maradonna in charge that is unlikely at this Cup. Interesting that Messi could have turned out for Spain as he had the choice. Imagine Messi lining up in that already formidable Spanish team.
ohtani's jacket said | April 9th 2010 @ 11:50am | Report comment
I thought Ronaldinho’s form had improved of late?
Gibbo said | April 9th 2010 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
Les Murray’s got a blog up about Dino’s currently state over at TWG
FrankLopez said | April 9th 2010 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
Tony, that is something we have to ask Ronaldinho himself. It’s a footballing mystery. And tragedy. From that Champions League Final in ’06 he has never been the same. And it is a shame. In that campaign’s semi against AC Milan I remember him providing a neat flick pass over the AC defence to Ludovic Giuly who then cracked it into the net. It was R’s quick thinking matched with ability that stood out.
Xavi and Pep were saying after the game on Weds that Messi is a shy, quiet type who just loves to play. Perhaps the lack of vices — like was the case for ZiZu — will mean he doesn’t go down Ronaldinho’s path. By-the-by I think what makes Messi special is that his defence is exceptional for a forward.
Also, I am curious why people think a player can only be deemed great if he wins a World Cup. So all the creative flair, dribbling, assists, ability, skill and pure entertainment in every other game counts for nowt?