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?
EXCITING NEWS for AF EXPERTS: From today on, we will select some of your most convincing comments and post them here, sharing with all AFers! And you have chance to be selected as 'AF Manager of the week'. So speak out what's on your mind, show us your football-related knowledge and be as convincing as possible! You are to be the next AF Manager now!
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!