There is no such thing as, “The World’s Best Player”.
Currently in football there are two stand out players that most fans, pundits, commentators, and football professionals would class as the world’s best players. Real Madrid Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo & Barcelona’s Argentinian Lionel Messi.
During the 2011-2012 season in the Spanish La Liga they both broke personal and club records and showed the footballing world what they are capable of. Both have completely different attributes which give them the edge over other players. Cristiano is blessed with two dazzling feet which he uses to intimidate defenders, he’s lightning fast, tall, strong, a powerful shooter, and a match winner. (He is currently valued at 250,000,000 Euros by his club, not only because of his obvious ability but of his celebrity status and endorsement deals he has in place that benefits both him and his club).
Lionel Messi similarly is able to play with both feet, clinical finisher, quick, smart, incredible vision, and is a big game player. He is a prized asset to Barcelona, and has sworn his loyalty to them, promising never to play for any other club. (An estimate on his value is between £100,000,000 to £200,000,000).
Arguments have raged over which one of these superstars is officially the world’s best player. However there is no such a thing as a world’s best player. Ronaldo and Messi, are the best in their positions. To sum up the world’s best player to assume he has the attributes of a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker all mixed together. They are only assessed on their ability to score goals, but this is not the most essential thing. Passing, heading, free kicks, control, pressure, saving, reactions, tackling, are vital for a player to be labelled the best of the best.
For example, German Attacking Midfielder Mest Ozil, had 17 assists in La Liga, Tottenham’s Croatian Midfielder Luka Modric had 92 key passes completed, Italian AC Milan Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati made 81 saves last season. They are judged in their positions, but they are not called the world’s best player. Because you score a lot of goals does not mean you are the best, it means you are good in a specific area.
Some are even going as far to claim that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time. Now this barrier has been set by Messi’s stunning contributions to the game, it now gives him a “God” like status. He is the player that is looked up to, he is the template all future and current players have to follow, and he is the player who will always be thought of as the world’s greatest.
Controversially however, Messi has only ever played at Barcelona. Ronaldo started off, in Sporting Lisbon, then moved to Manchester United, and currently plays for Real Madrid. Ronaldo has consistently proven he can perform at the highest levels in different leagues, with different players, and different managers. Messi has played only in La Liga, with Pep Guardiola throughout most of his career, a variety of players, with only a certain playing mentality. If Messi was truly has great as everyone gives him credit for, it would be interesting to see how he adapts his game to other leagues and proven himself as much as Ronaldo has. In addition, both have never won tournaments with their national sides, so have never dominated outside of their respective clubs.
Goals do win games, but without the foundation of a great team, individuals can not stand out. Football doesn’t need one or two great players, it doesn’t need to appreciate a select few, it needs to embrace all involved in the game. The attention is only on the top teams in the world, looking at all divisions and treating them equally will benefit the sport greatly for years to come.
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what a fucking stupidly pointless article clearly written by an idiot with too much time on his hands
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You feel that it is pointless, because you do not agree with it. Try and see it from another point of view.
Mr writer u’r insane. I will advise u next time 2 use ur useless time & write something better. Messi was hailed by his team-mates dat he was gud at all positions, even in goal-keeping in training sessions. In most occasions he complete passes more dan xavi & iniesta, as well as providing an assists. & he will still b d scorer of most goals. Mr writer pls dnt u see d way dis guy does wit d ball in his foot? Since u were born ve u ever seen a footballer of his type? Idiot writer!
I understand that Messi and Ronaldo are great players. But don’t you think it is unfair to name them the best in the world? Out of all the players who are in top teams. I compared the statistics with other players that are mentioned in my piece. Think carefully, it is the media that influence your decision about Messi and Ronaldo. They are constantly telling us “they are the best”, why do we need the “world’s best player”, we should appreciate everyone in football and not just focus on certain individuals.
I understand u now Mr Danny. & am sorry 4 d xpensive words i used against u b4, it all hppen out of my love 4 Messi. Now let’s see wat hppen at d next edition of Ballon d’or. Tank u
Kobo, I completely understand where you are coming from. Messi is an inspirational player. His style of play is amazing, he has won the Ballon d’or 3 times. His record speaks for himself, and you have chosen a great person to look up to.