comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)

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No defender from 1985 would get anywhere near Messi ffs
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More likely, he would've had a more injury-ridden career in the 80s because the defenders would just snap him in half every time

comment by The Duality of Van (Dijk) (U21747)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)

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No defender from 1985 would get anywhere near Messi ffs
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More likely, he would've had a more injury-ridden career in the 80s because the defenders would just snap him in half every time
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Such an archaic view of football.

I’m just not sure what it’s based on.

comment by (K̇ash) - 20+6 - Free Palestine 🇵🇸 Resistance is Existence (U1108)
posted 40 minutes ago
Maradona from 85 to 89. No player has ever reached that level. Messi will probably take it due to longevity but even he did not reach the Maradona level.

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Maradona for me is the best ever, even better than Pele, but just take a minute to remember that both these players were strutting their stuff when opposition players were applauded for taking these types of players out of the game.

Messi would not live with the likes of "chopper" Harris, or even later times like Vinnie Jones, Steve McMahon, Peter Reid ect....

Ok let's take Messi, put him in a time machine and take him back to 1987 when Maradona won the first Serie A with Napoli.

Messi would absolutely tear it up. Physically, defending was rougher and referees protected players less—but Messi spent most of his career being kicked to bits in La Liga and still dominated. More importantly, his low centre of gravity, balance, and anticipation make him nearly impossible to catch cleanly.

Then add Messi's 2020s level fitness, speed, recovery, and tactical awareness in an era with little to no tracking or structure. His off-ball movement, vision, and quick passing would feel alien to most defences back then.

That doesn't diminish Maradona's impact on football at all, but players are all signficantly better now than they were in the 1980s.

If you took Liverpool's team last year, against our 85/86 team, last year's team would win 99 games out of 100 because football has simply moved on.

I mean I’ve just read all that but can’t get oast Diaz bring Maradona.

Messi would not win the 86 world cup on his own like Maradona did

comment by Robbing Hoody (U6374)
posted 25 minutes ago
comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…I am your Premier League Champion (U2720)
posted 52 seconds ago
"I’d argue the way to look at it is, what can Messi do that Maradona couldn’t?"

I'd say Messi is a better passer with better vision
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Shout
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Agree on passing and vision. But the obvious one is finishing.

Maradona's highest number of league goals in any season in Europe was 16. Most he scored in a season total was 23. Not bad numbers in themselves but a far distance away from Messi's 50 league goals and 73 total.

I don't want this to come across as anti-Maradona because he was clearly an insane player, top 5 ever. But I do think his status is slightly inflated because of 1986 WC; and maybe that's justified to a certain extent because I'm not sure 1 player has ever driven a country to a title to such an extent. But there is definitely an argument that he saved his best for Argentina. His fitness was dubious, professionalism was not there.

Personally I'd have Messi comfortably ahead. To switch the question Robbing, I think the only thing Maradona bests Messi at is dribbling. Which is mad given how good Messi is with the ball at his feet but Maradona was just incredible.

Lionel Lallanas retired

Fair, but Maradona was FAR stronger and was far better in the air too. Crazy spring.

I think there’s a good chance Messi would just get folded up back then, and for all Maradona’s unprofessionalism (many would say he was taken advantage of there fwiw) he was never given PED’s and hormones.

the cruyff turns will never be forgotten

comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)

Physically, defending was rougher and referees protected players less—

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So you agree with me despite calling my view archaic

I didn't say anything about Messi not being dominant, but rougher tackling was allowed and Messi would probably have had more injuries - literally all I said

[🚨] NEW: Talks between Napoli and Liverpool have been ongoing and continue to progress for Darwin Nunez.

The two clubs need to reach an agreement on the transfer fee: Napoli are starting from a base of €40–42m, while #LFC are demanding at least €8m more, including bonuses.

[@AlfredoPedulla]


Think it is realistic to be expecting a final fee in the region of £40-45m for Nunez and I think that’s about right if we are being honest.

Yeah that’s about right, I think he’ll do well there too.

Photo of him with a new hair cut and loads of light blue/Napoli coloured balloons out today.

Yeah saw that he'd shaved all his hair off. Assumed it was one last plea to Slot to stay

Sad to see Lallana hang up his boots but he's had a great career.

If there was any player that epitomised the early Klopp era for us, it was him. Such an important cog in our rise to the top.

Naturally as our style progressed to more controlled system in the interest of winning trophies he got left behind a bit, particularly the signing of Salah saw him reduced to a squad player. Still played a key part in his later years however.

Rodgers didn't make many good signings in his time here but he was a very good one.

If Lallana had genuine pace he’d have been lethal.

The winner vs Norwich a particular highlight.

What. A. Game.

comment by The Duality of Van (Dijk) (U21747)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)

Physically, defending was rougher and referees protected players less—

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So you agree with me despite calling my view archaic

I didn't say anything about Messi not being dominant, but rougher tackling was allowed and Messi would probably have had more injuries - literally all I said
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You said defenders would snap him in two or words to that effect. I think he’d find it easier to evade tackles in the 1980s than he does today tbh.

comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by The Duality of Van (Dijk) (U21747)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by フレッド - #TWENTYTIMES (U3979)

Physically, defending was rougher and referees protected players less—

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So you agree with me despite calling my view archaic

I didn't say anything about Messi not being dominant, but rougher tackling was allowed and Messi would probably have had more injuries - literally all I said
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You said defenders would snap him in two or words to that effect. I think he’d find it easier to evade tackles in the 1980s than he does today tbh.
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What?

I’m guessing you weren’t actually alive in the 80s??

"I think the only thing Maradona bests Messi at is dribbling."

Dribbling, balance, agility, power, strength on the ball both on the ground and competing for high balls. Better with his weaker foot as well

comment by Robbing Hoody (U6374)
posted 23 minutes ago
Fair, but Maradona was FAR stronger and was far better in the air too. Crazy spring.

I think there’s a good chance Messi would just get folded up back then, and for all Maradona’s unprofessionalism (many would say he was taken advantage of there fwiw) he was never given PED’s and hormones.
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Having watched the documentary and read articles on Maradona, I'd agree he was taken advantage of. And perhaps there's an alternate reality whereby that doesn't happen. Similar to the theory that if Fergie had gotten hold of Gazza rather than him going to Spurs, what might have been. But we'll never know that.

He isn't considered a success at Barcelona, despite doing ok there for a couple of years they were keen to get rid of him. Parties, women, drugs, fights - he was just more trouble than he was worth. Which for a player of his talent is some statement

I know some people see Maradona as the best player ever but I kind of see that as similar to those in my dad's generation who think that Best was the greatest player ever. Could have been maybe, but isn't.

Wonder if we'd have a look at osimhen, though wasnt he demanding crazy wages?

Reports in Portugal that we’ve entered ‘the race’ for Gyokeres.

Meh

Gyokores is one I definitely don't see happening personally.

I expect it will be likely Ekitike but got to a get a few large sales in first, notably Nunez.

Reports suggesting we haven't given up on the Isak dream yet but it just seems impossible when you think about it any kind of depth.

https://tinyurl.com/45eakmyx