Messi Retires - the end of an era

[Football us life]

He did, however, learn to impose himself as he has matured.

He has but he was the captain of Argentina. You probably more than anyone on this board would understand the expectations required to do that job.....

And people claiming that other players manage to behave with absolute dignity and grace under identical pressure. Really? Who?

Show me the global superstar carrying the weight of a football-obsessed nation of 40+ million people, absorbing the kind of cynical fouls Messi does, whilst playing under a relentless 20+-year media microscope, and barely, if ever ever snapping. That player does not exist, because elite athletes are human beings, not monks....

Pretending that a flawless, machine-like level of grace is the baseline expectation is completely divorced from reality!

 

[Punchanello]

Pretending that a flawless, machine-like level of grace is the baseline expectation is completely divorced from reality!

True, and the fact is we love the blow-ups and big personalities and drama. Part of the joy of the game is the pantomime. Careers have been built on playing the villain, but that's not Messi, as you say.

 

[Football us life]

True, and the fact is we love the blow-ups and big personalities and drama. Part of the joy of the game is the pantomime. Careers have been built on playing the villain, but that's not Messi, as you say.

No....The sheer absurdity of his talent was enough to tell his story!

 

[zimbos05]

I think that occasionally some people do like to impose their version of history on the rest of us. Sometimes they'll do this with good intentions in order to broaden the debate on a particular subject. And sometimes, well perhaps they just want to be a little bit controversial.....

And while Argentinian football has thrown up the odd 'cheeky chappy' over the years I'm not really convinced that the little fella is one of them!

I'm not trying to impose or be controversial about anything. I've watched him his whole career. I am very much making my decision off observation and knowledge of him.

Plus, those who defend Messi, yet shit on Ronaldo for the exact same thing, kind of adds to the view of him.

 

[Football us life]

I'm not trying to impose or be controversial about anything. I've watched him his whole career. I am very much making my decision off observation and knowledge of him.

I think he's been a great ambassador for the game.....

 

[zimbos05]

I think he's been a great ambassador for the game.....

And that's exactly what conversation is. We can have difference of opinion.

My view is that he is a phenomenal player who ranks as one of the best of all time, but still think as an individual, he doesn't carry himself well or set a great example.

 

[Football us life]

My view is that he is a phenomenal player who ranks as one of the best of all time, but still think as an individual, he doesn't carry himself well or set a great exexample

Nah.....he sets a fantastic example....

Despite living under the most intense sports microscope on the planet since he was a teenager, he managed to avoid the kind of destructive off-field controversies that have derailed so many other generational talents.

Even with all the wealth, fame, and corporate machinery around modern football, whenever he stepped on the pitch, he always looked like a kid who just genuinely loved kicking a ball around with his friends.

And best of all....

He has inspired an entire generation of kids worldwide to play with joy, creativity, and humility rather than just physical dominance.

 

[LFC]

I'm not trying to impose or be controversial about anything. I've watched him his whole career. I am very much making my decision off observation and knowledge of him.

Yes we have all watched Messi's rise peaks to the finish.
So - you have dislikes of him from your observations at X times, do they outweigh the positives that much ?

Plus, those who defend Messi, yet shit on Ronaldo for the exact same thing, kind of adds to the view of him.

Am I reading clear that by those who admire Messi more but put CR7 down also influences your take on Messi ?

Football wise they both are amazing - personality wise chalk and cheese right ?

 

[Football us life]

Am I reading clear that by those who admire Messi more but put CR7 down also influences your take on Messi ?

Football wise they both are amazing - personality wise chalk and cheese right ?

I like Ronaldo too.....sure he's the opposite to Messi in many ways. He's an absolute extrovert, a bit flashy on and off the pitch and has always embraced the superstar spotlight almost to the extreme.....

But in many ways he's just like Messi....they have bith shared that rare echelon of ultimate greatness from a young age, both deal with the fame extraordinary well which takes an incredible amount of mental discipline and both are devoted family men.

And for all the noise that surrounds them publicly, that strong family foundation has clearly given them the stability needed to sustain their careers at the absolute top for so long. It jas kept them grounded when everything else is moving at a million miles an hour.

 

[Kitwally]

I'm not trying to impose or be controversial about anything. I've watched him his whole career. I am very much making my decision off observation and knowledge of him.

Plus, those who defend Messi, yet shit on Ronaldo for the exact same thing, kind of adds to the view of him.

You’re not even comparing apples and oranges, it’s almost literally chalk and cheese. As footballers they can be compared in the same sentence, but not as personalities/people. Man United Ronaldo bias there just a little?

 

[LFC]

You’re not even comparing apples and oranges, it’s almost literally chalk and cheese. As footballers they can be compared in the same sentence, but not as personalities/people. Man United Ronaldo bias there just a little?

Yes my hunch being a United supporter and that’s fine but as you say - they are poles apart off the pitch.