Lionel Messi- Genius!!

[ChesterDave]

FSG, Dooooooooo eeeeeeeeeeeeet!

[DannyMan2006]

Lol! Aaron Lennon must have been superb 4 years ago

I did say Messi was a much improved version..... At that stage in his development he couldn't score for toffee, he's added that to his game and hence now he's the best in the world.

Ronaldo was similar at Man Utd. All the tricks but no end product. Then he added goals to his game and went up levels.

Now look at Raheem Sterling. No Messi, but similar issues. Little end product. If he added a finishing ability to his game though....... Wow. What a player he'd be.

[Alex]

2007-08 Messi scored 16 goals. The next season he scored 38. Id hardly call that 'Couldnt score for Toffee'

I thought Messi was universally rated when he was younger.

[Reece]

I did say Messi was a much improved version..... At that stage in his development he couldn't score for toffee, he's added that to his game and hence now he's the best in the world.

The season you posted that he scored 23 in 31 games in the league, 6 in 8 in the cup, 9 in 12 in the CL.

The season before that he scored 10 in 28 in the league, 0 in 3 in the cup, and 6 in 9 in the CL.

Not too bad really

[Alex]

That same season Messi scored only 16 goals. Lennon scored 8.

[DannyMan2006]

That same season Messi scored only 16 goals. Lennon scored 8.

I did say Messi was a better version of Lennon. Even so, I fancy I might have scored a few at Barca and I was a centre back, and a not very good one at that.

[Alex]

2007-2008 Barca was not the same Barca as today. In fact they finished 3rd

Edit: Henry was the top scorer for them with 19 goals in all Comps. Only 4 players (including Messi) made double figures.

[DannyMan2006]

The season you posted that he scored 23 in 31 games in the league, 6 in 8 in the cup, 9 in 12 in the CL.

The season before that he scored 10 in 28 in the league, 0 in 3 in the cup, and 6 in 9 in the CL.

Not too bad really

The second season was only a month old, so I could argue he improved during that season

Either way, I was wrong. I'm just explaining why I thought what I did.

[DannyMan2006]

2007-2008 Barca was not the same Barca as today.

It wasn't a bad side though.

[Reece]

Fair enough

I do agree that he has improved his finishing - that's not in question. I just don't think it was ever applicable to say "he couldn't score for toffee"

[Alex]

It wasn't a bad side though.

No, but it wasnt the free scoring side you suggest though. If I remember correctly it was a bit of a transition season for them.

[DannyMan2006]

I think my problem now is I compared his past exploits to his current levels. My problem then, is I likely watched him in a few games where he was wasteful and dismissed him.

Fair play to those who predicted his greatness, but without knowing a guys character, I feel it impossible to know who will become a great and who will flatter to deceive.

Pato, Augero, Messi, Le Tallec, Ronaldo, Sinama-Pongolle, Neymar, Denilson, Ortega, Lamptey and god knows how many others were predicted for great things. Some make it & some don't.

[Pedenj]

Bored of hearing Journalists moaning about how he has 'Bottled' it or whatever by staying at Barca.

When was it decided that a player had to come to England to truly prove themselves as being brilliant. This idea journalists have of our league being the best in the world is so flawed it's unreal. 4 Spanish teams in the Champions League draw today, 2 English. But our teams are better?

[Jas]

That Messi, he is ****......

Barcelona goal machine Lionel Messi has come third behind a boxer and taekwondo fighter in a poll to find Argentina's best sports star of 2012.

Messi has scored a record 90 goals in 2012, including 12 for Argentina.

However, Argentine journalists awarded the title to WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, ahead of Sebastian Crismanich, who won the nation's solitary Olympic gold at London 2012.

Messi was voted the best Argentine footballer playing outside Argentina.

Martinez won the title after defeating Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on points in September to win the world middleweight crown.

The 37-year-old will defend his title against Britain's Martin Murray, 30, in Buenos Aires on 27 April.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20794589

[Charly]

That Messi, he is ****......

I guess it is relative to your talent.

Messi the best footballer in the world, playing with the best players in the world sets new footballing records against a poor Spanish league. Its sort of expected.

I doubt Messi is losing much sleep