Lionel Messi put his country on his back, scoring a brilliant hat trick in Ecuador to clinch a direct spot to 2018 World Cup with a 3-1 victory last month. He saved Argentina again. But many people say Argentina rely on Lionel Messi too much.
If Argentina rely less on Messi, will they become a better team? What's your opinion?
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Experts of last DAILY TOPIC: Which decade do you think is the golden era of football?
This is a tricky one. I think that it depends when the person was most active and what are his club prefences.
For my opinion the present era starting from 2000s is the best. Football was in a way transformed and many great events took place.
➡️ AMAZING TRANSFERS.
Football witnessed some amazing transfers. Figo broke the hearts of Barça fans, best player on ManU was snatched by Real and PSG showed that money can buy anything.
➡️ COMEBACKS TO REMEMBER.
Liverpool put up one of the Greatest performances in their history to down mighty Milan in 2005 UCL final. More recently, Barça did the impossible to win UCL tie against PSG. After being 4-0 down after 1st leg, they proved everyone who dismissed them wrong and won 6-1 in return fixture.
➡️ GREATEST MANAGERS and PLAYERS.
Some Managers made a mark which was never seen before. Like, Pep Guardiola made Barça played best football ever, Benitez became immortal at Liverpool, to spice things up we had Mourinho too and Zidane showed a seamless transition from player to manager winning back to back UCL for first time in the modern game.
Also, Great Players like Gerrard, Xavi, Iniesta, Kaka, Bonucci, Zidane,Figo,Pirlo,Henry... the list won't end, made an everlasting impression on the game.
➡️ MESSI and RONALDO.
A separate point to mention the 2 legends of the game. They both showcased the greatest rivalry world had ever witnessed. A duopoly over the Ballon D'or was established by them which has continued for past 10 years. Who is better, is not to be discussed. Two G.O.A.T.s of Football are to be enjoyed by watching their game.
There maybe more events worth a mention but these were the important ones according to me.
#EratoRemember
I don't think so. Soccer is popular and growing because the next generation seems to be more exciting than the previous one, and more and more people always wait for the next world cup, the next stars.
But the 2000 is special for producing 2 top players in Ronaldo and Messi at the same time, not counting Top 10 players at the end of their career like Ronaldo1, Zidane, Henry etc..
Until recently, the list of football's greatest players has been lengthy, linear and comprehensive.
In other words, the world's most popular game has witnessed its share of greatness at all points throughout its history, with the geographically and stylistically disparate dots forming a straight line in time—from Alfredo Di Stefano to Pele, from Pele to Johan Cruyff and from Cruyff to Diego Maradona.
In the current day, however, a number of transcendent talents have emerged simultaneously, suggesting a new golden era is dawning in football. Two players—Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina, andCristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Portugal—have already risen to greatness.
I would select 2000-2010 decade. This is a decade of some of the best players in the history of football when They were in top form. Decade of Brazilian Ronaldo,he will be always remembered as one of the greatest, he left his mark in every club where he played no matter Real,Inter...or his national team where he was crucial player for Brazil in 2002 when they won their last World Cup. This is a decade of Ronaldinho when he played the best football in the world. Who could Forget his performances in PSG or Barcelona?? He is a football wizard , his ball control is outstanding, he is a free kick master and precise scorer. This is a decade of football genius Zinedine Zidane, sadly he is remembered also for that knockout in World Cup 2006 , Materazzi incident was little bit a shock to everyone. Decade when the World got to brilliant young talented players, Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo got famous in MU where under the guidance of sir Alex Ferguson be develop himself into world-class player. Messi as young teenager came to Barca and the rest is history. This is decade of new progress of German football, they invested a lot in New generation and they showed character and mentality of great nation, sadly they didn't win any World Cup in that decade despite their fantastic performances. This is the decade of brilliant Kaka,his performances in AC Milan are unforgetable, this was a golden era of Milan and Kaka had the biggest part of that success. This is a decade of fantastic Dutch players, Davids, Van der Saar, Bergkamp, Sneijder,Kuyt,young Robben and young Van Persie...... the best Dutch generation since Van Basten generation. Progress of Spain football and their impact on World football scene! They played on high quality level what was shown especially in World Cup 2010 when they won the title! And finally Italy with their big football stars Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Inzaghi,Pirlo, Maldini ,Nesta, Costacurta......more than enough to win World Cup 2006. I can't forget French football stars,the one and only Thierry Henry and Patrick Viera as brilliant Arsenal players who left significant mark on Arsenal game and they will be always remembered as ones of the greatest in history of Arsenal. There are many,many other players that I didn't mention but are really important for this decade but I really can't include everyone, basicly that was period of brilliant football!
Ethan_10
79
Lionel Messi is the centre of gravity for the Argentinian national team. The team rely on Messi and we have seen it time and again. I personally don't think so that if they rely less on Messi than they will become a better team. Messi is someone who possesses some sublime qualities and play making is one of them. Messi is the one who gives though balls, make plays create chances and score goals. The last world cup qualifiers, Messi single handedly took Argentina to the world cup. Leo Messi is the soul of the Argentinian squad and we all know it. They have got learn how to win without Messi.
Rutkos_2
60
There are 2 aspects to consider here: ➡️SHORT TERM NO. This is because we've seen their performance without Messi. They play football which is not enough to make them qualify for World Cup. In qualifiers, when without Leo, they did not seem like Argentina. So, making Messi the central point and playing around him is best for now. ➡️ LONG TERM YES and they have to. Messi is 30 now and whatever he may have done he's still a human. This will be the last World Cup when he would be in his prime. La Albiceleste would need to find an ideal replacement for him and hence would have to gradually shift to a more team oriented tactics. So, Messi is the one on whom Argentina can rely for the World Cup. But, after that tactics should be altered and they must become less reliant on the Legend. #ForcaMessi #ThinkaboutFuture
raheem_CFC
28
I don't think Argentina will become a better team if they rely on Messi too much. I see instances where players on the park can pick a better pass or even make a drive forward and score but instead the first thing they do is look for Messi. I think this mentally hampers the confidence of the players because they don't believe in themselves to do something special without involving Messi... yes he's the one of the best but sometimes he's not the one to receive the ball or anything of that sort. if one day Messi do not then up then the team will fail because they are depending on him to do everything instead of trying for themselves. I believe if all these Argentina players work together they can be very difficult to defeat. players like Messi, dybala, higuain, icardi, aguero, di Maria, and others is a pretty talented team who can defeat any team. but because they rely on Messi their own light fail to shine. Messi gets an injury or retire the whole team falter and fail. so my answer is Argentina won't be a better team if they soly rely on Messi
realEddy
24
Messi doesn’t need a World Cup to be consider the best he will always be the best and 2014 World Cup Higuain and palacio cost Argentina that trophy messi can create every open goal for his Argentina teammates but they can’t even finish a simple chance but I agree with you they really need to find their chemistry even if it’s in Madagascar they have to go and get it and even this coach don’t even know which kind of players he has to use they are all low key players there are better starting 11 to choose but his selection sucks.
yes dimpizy.messi is already a world best without the world cup but the world cup trophy,is the icing on the cake.it is what will ultimately and undoubtedly and historically make him the all time best,if you know what I mean.so far in his career, it is the only flaw or shortcoming in the list of his achievements.if he gets to win the world cup,then,even the ancient Greek gods,the likes of Zeus and Poseidon, will agree with themselves that he is the best of all time.and his case is kind of similar to Buffon, who is labelled the best keeper of all time,but yet hasn't gotten the champions league trophy to his long list of achievements.and thanks for agreeing with me on my opinion about the Argentine team not been connected. it is really sad that they struggled through the qualifiers.and if they continue like this,they might end up being sent home at Russia 2018 before the real fun begins.
realEddy
22
Argentina have many top quality players but aren’t doing any good for the team.the reason behind it lies in their over-reliance on messi.argentina,will do much better if they can stop this habit.The coach Sampolli,if he can come up with a solution, will help Argentina become a successful match winning side any day,any time. The team should have chemistry and play for Messi a little more, not only to rely on him as always. I feel that, whether they relied on him less or more, Messi remains Messi, he will always show up in crucial moments. For him to compete for the best player in history he must win the world cup and Russia,well,might be the last chance for him to do that. Football is a team game, you need 11 players on the pitch,who must play at least an average game to win. If we take a look back at all the World Cup winners, we will find out that the champion teams or the winners, were with a very good and balanced team. To look at an example, one could observe Italy’s 2006 team. They won that particular cup by a team performance. Zinedine Zidane’s top solo form then, could not win France the cup during the same tournament. Now, Argentina,we can say,has been building the team around Messi since 2008 just like Barcelona. All the 10 players on field rely on Messi. This reliance one can say,might be the reason they lost to germany back in 2010.and unfortunately for them,every ball that came to the magician was kicked far wide from the post,including close range chances. And though he is phenomenal,Messi alone can't really do everything. In Barcelona,he,we can say, has plenty of supports but in Argentina he has little to sometimes, none. He can run,and sometimes,he has to run from his own box to the opponent's box all the time and thats a lot of running,which has not been helping his physique in the long run.some critics,in recent times,say he has slowed down,which seems true to some extent. Argentina,just have to work harder to improve the chemistry between the team and Messi. that is where their main weakness lies.The team needs to know when to return the ball, when to let him run, or when they should put the diagonal tactic into play. If the other players have chemistry with each other,that is,they are well interconnected and synchronized, it will at some point,become irrelevant if Messi doesn’t play,because they would do extremely well as a team, seeing the caliber of talented players they have.They have great players from all over Europe,the likes of higuain,Di maria and Aguero included but they seem to don't know how to use them,since they have been depending on the magician for so long,which has been a major stumbling block to their success. Argentina,is a great team.they must realize that there won't be a messi all the time,and though the world sees him as a phenom,he is still human and is still prone to injuries.for this sole reason,they must start to rely less on him,and it will help in boosting their confidence as soon as possible,and also make them a better team.
Vopnprsyz
15
The question does not arise, AT ALL! There is no generation in football when a team does not have one key player. That key player does not make the team. He is JUST ONE of the eleven(11). The three goals Messi scored, did he take the goalkicker, nd from the goal kick he dribbled the ten players of Ecuador and beat the goalkeeper to score? The answer is: CAPITAL NO! SO, so was Maradona, Pele, Socrates, Ronaldinho, Don Bank or so of England, etc. There is no one Man team. Praise God Lionel Messi does not consider himself as a one-man team. He is not proud. See him giving thanks to God whenever he scores, appreciating his teammate that assisted him to score the goal. He has record in assisting others to score also. As at now Argentina should pardon Messi's mistakes because he is human. The Argentines should tell Maradona to encourage Messi instead of criticizing him.
The_awful_beast
11
Messi is an incredible player that I thank lord everyday of my short life to have allow me to watch this genius at the TV!!! it is obvious that Messi is the Heart, the Soul and the Spirit of Argentina team. he always gives everything in the pitch to honor the Albiceleste jersey and even out of the pitch! Even it is heartbreaking that he loses to raise and international trophy with Argentina Squad...
Zawiprt
9
There are 2 aspects to consider here: ➡️SHORT TERM NO. This is because we've seen their performance without Messi. They play football which is not enough to make them qualify for World Cup. In qualifiers, when without Leo, they did not seem like Argentina. So, making Messi the central point and playing around him is best for now. ➡️ LONG TERM YES and they have to. Messi is 30 now and whatever he may have done he's still a human. This will be the last World Cup when he would be in his prime. La Albiceleste would need to find an ideal replacement for him and hence would have to gradually shift to a more team oriented tactics. So, Messi is the one on whom Argentina can rely for the World Cup. But, after that tactics should be altered and they must become less reliant on the Legend. #ForcaMessi #ThinkaboutFuture
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I generally agree about this. However, if Argentina has a functioning team without Messi, they will be much better with Messi. An excellent team without relying on Messi makes them much better if they have Messi than if they depend too much on him. It is like comparing Barca 2008 to Barca now. Barca 2008 was a better team because, despite Messi being their focal point, they did not over rely on him. Great team+Great player will always be better than just a great player.