Tonight’s games

[mjhibby]

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Messi is the greatest of all time. It's not even a debate. Great that the player who comes closest to that, C.Ronaldo, is around at the same time and we get to watch both!

Sorry can't agree. Maradona is the greatest mot only for his talent but in getting napoli win the uefa Cup and Argentina to win the World Cup. In fact Messi only third best after Pele. Remember he is heavily protected by refs whereas Pele and Maradona took some awful punishment but still shone through it.

[ACLeith]

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Napoleon didn't even play football

Did he not lose on away goals to Waterloo ?

[ancient hibee]

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I'd argue that players of the modern era are fitter, better technically and tactically which, for me, puts Messi ahead of Best, Pele, Maradonna, etc.

Although I haven't seen any of those players live, and without a doubt they were all amazing players, so like you've pointed out its difficult to properly compare.

Obviously they are fitter as they are in any sport but I’m interested that you think they are better technically and tactically.It would be difficult to find any evidence for that.For example over fifty years ago new playing formations were being devised.Nowadays it is a question of tinkering with them.

[One Day Soon]

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Napoleon didn't even play football

Admittedly it wasn't his first career choice but I wouldn't say he didn't play any football. Wasn't he with Metz for a while?

[frazeHFC]

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8 players through the Barca youth system on the pitch tonight

Who's the 8th?

Pique, Roberto, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Fabregas and..?

[mjhibby]

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Napoleon didn't even play football

How do you know he didn't. Obviously meant napoli. Changed now.

[Scouse Hibee]

I am 50 and my choice of the best player I have ever watched is Messi.

[ACLeith]

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Who's the 8th?

Pique, Roberto, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Fabregas and..?

Alba

[blackpoolhibs]

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Napoleon didn't even play football

Maybe not, but it looks like he had a current mot.

[frazeHFC]

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Alba

Ah right never realised he was there as a kid.

[ACLeith]

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Ah right never realised he was there as a kid.

And he must be Scottish with a name like that, no?

[hibsbollah]

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They did however they have since lost Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy (to Manchester City), Tiemoue Bakayoko (to Chelsea) and Kylian Mbappe (to PSG) who were arguably their four best players last season.

I would be surprised if they did that this season.

Careful, you're now constructing an argument that ligue 1 is actually quite good

[angus hibby]

Saw the last 10-15 minutes of the Besiktas v Bayern game. Despite losing 8-1 on aggregate, the Besiktas fans were creating an unbelievable atmosphere.

[southsider]

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Careful, you're now constructing an argument that ligue 1 is actually quite good

5th placed Spanish team played Man U off the park last note. Mess I played Chelski on his own. The best ever,

[Allant1981]

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It's not a myth peddled by the English media though! It's a statement often made by foreign players when they join teams in the EPL. Like it or not, it's a highly thought of league by professionals.

yeah because they are getting paid millions over the length of the contract, hardly likely to come out and say they are only in the league for the money

[Johnny_Leith]

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Obviously they are fitter as they are in any sport but I’m interested that you think they are better technically and tactically.It would be difficult to find any evidence for that.For example over fifty years ago new playing formations were being devised.Nowadays it is a question of tinkering with them.

The game is played at a much greater pace with superior athletes, this has improved technique generally and especially at the top level. Players performances are also analysed in depth constantly and receive feedback on the role they are asked to play, and are given volumes of info from coaching teams on the role they are asked to perform, down to the letter. This helps nullified opposition players and helps win the the game, that's how they are better tactically.

But you're correct that this is hard to prove, just need to get ourselves a time machine and pitch Barcelona Vs Brazil 1970 and see who wins. I know who my money's on.