Lillian Thomson
Hall of Fame Member
I see that the spreadsheet that degreed that Garry Sobers can't bowl now has Gerrard as a superior footballer to Zidane. Bill Gates has much to answer for.
Largely agree but he definitely needs to do it in a WC if he wants to be placed alongside the likes of Maradona, Pele, etc.Hmm. I don't think Messi needs to fulfill some kind of a checklist to be considered an ATG. I just think he needs to be better at football than pretty much everyone else. And he's damn close to that already.
Yeah, was gonna say what this **** said...George Best & Alfredo Di Stefano never played in a world cup...
/devil's advocate.
& Best generally gets left behind too, although perhaps for other reasons as well...Di Stefano in particular often unjustly misses out on these discussions as a result, imo.
Naah, naming him just confirms you as a footballing anorak.Di Stefano in particular often unjustly misses out on these discussions as a result, imo.
Best gets left out because he was a washed up alcoholic by the age of 27.Yeah, was gonna say what this **** said...
& Best generally gets left behind too, although perhaps for other reasons as well...
Is this an expectation on most great players, or a key factor when determining just how great they are? I find it interesting that not moving clubs is potentially seen as something that holds a player back. If that is the case, it's quite extraordinary. Different to many other sports you feel.I find the demand that he needs to move to another league/club and "prove himself" ridiculous TBH.
No.Is this an expectation on most great players, or a key factor when determining just how great they are? I find it interesting that not moving clubs is potentially seen as something that holds a player back. If that is the case, it's quite extraordinary. Different to many other sports you feel.
Not for me. It sometimes happens that when players move for other reasons and dominate in more than one league (because they are ATGs), it is considered a proof of their versatility. I do believe though that if a player plays for a decent international side, he has to perform at international level as well to be an ATG.Is this an expectation on most great players, or a key factor when determining just how great they are? I find it interesting that not moving clubs is potentially seen as something that holds a player back. If that is the case, it's quite extraordinary. Different to many other sports you feel.
True, but that means they're judged on what they achieved at club level, which is fair enough. Messi's 'problem' is that, at this stage, he's judged to some extent by how he performed in SA last year. Possibly unfair - it wasn't his fault that the Argy manager was a complete knob - but I suspect he'll put matters right in 3 years time. As things stand, even last week's goal against RM, outstanding as it was, reminded me of similar efforts by Jimmy Greaves for Spurs against Newcastle & Man Utd in the mid1960's when he waltzed past a number of defenders before passing the ball into the net. And no-one's suggesting that Jimmy is an ATG.George Best & Alfredo Di Stefano never played in a world cup...
/devil's advocate.
I actually don't think it'd be that problematic an assertion. But for an ill-timed injury in 1966 his career could've been crowned with the winning goal in a world cup final and he might be mentioned in the same breath as (say) Gerd Muller.True, but that means they're judged on what they achieved at club level, which is fair enough. Messi's 'problem' is that, at this stage, he's judged to some extent by how he performed in SA last year. Possibly unfair - it wasn't his fault that the Argy manager was a complete knob - but I suspect he'll put matters right in 3 years time. As things stand, even last week's goal against RM, outstanding as it was, reminded me of similar efforts by Jimmy Greaves for Spurs against Newcastle & Man Utd in the mid1960's when he waltzed past a number of defenders before passing the ball into the net. And no-one's suggesting that Jimmy is an ATG.