Monday 19 April 2010

Magnificent Messi?

There's been a lot of talk recently about Lionel Messi recently. Is he the greatest footballer on earth? Despite being called Lionel?



Well, there's no doubt that he can score goals, and that he plays for a great team (one which was on the right side in the Spanish Civil War and ensuing dictatorship, and which opts to promote Unicef rather than some corporation on its shirts) but there's one area of his game which is, as yet, sorely lacking.





Yes, until he can master Delap's long throws (and the stunning volley), he's not the finished article. If he came to Stoke for a season, we'd tutor him, nurture him, turn him into the ultimate footballer.

10 comments:

Ewarwoowar said...

Messi can't use his right foot, can't head a ball, can't tackle and isn't the complete player that Ronaldo is.

That Delap video reminds me though - I had £5 on Stoke winning on Saturday. I wasn't happy with the result, Vole.

The Plashing Vole said...

I was gutted. Thought we had it sewn up. All the remaining matches are tough as well. Last one is away at Old Trafford. Hope they don't need those points…

Anonymous said...

As an aside; watch that video again and see how many times Xavi pops up with a perfect simple pass like a young-Paul-Scholes.2. Messi is undoubtedly a great player but having players like Xavi, Iniesta, Alves and the like around him helps too. As for best player in the world? I think it wise to reserve judgement until after the World Cup.

The Plashing Vole said...

Yes, Xavi's brilliant. The Spanish league is a total mess (like Scotland: two teams utterly outclassing everybody else) but Barça are sublime.

Anonymous said...

There never be and never will an english player like Messi, that is your problem.

Anonymous said...

BTW, it remember me that an other genius was repetedly injured in purpose whitout the referee care and miss a world cup he deserve.
It was a robbery well thinked from england on pele in 66'.
So leave Messi alone.

Anonymous said...

Erm... Anonymous? Are you Messi's mom? I don't think anyone was making fun of your child you know. We all like him very much.

By the way...who mentioned the English? Rory Delap is Irish. Who is racist now eh Anonymous?

Oh yeah, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsdfe4Z69g

The Plashing Vole said...

Thanks Ben - was about to make the same points. Anonymous: I was being admiring and humorous about Messi and Delap. You've got to admire his goal!

The Plashing Vole said...

Those Le Tissier goals are amazing. Especially the second one. I'd forgotten how brilliant he was.

Ewarwoowar said...

Dear Anonymous,

http://www.crystalyacht.com/images/fishing.jpg

Regards,

Ewar