:yikes:
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George Best - 204 goals in 616 career club games, 137 in 361 for United after which he never played at the top level again and was basically a circus act. 9 in 37 for Northern Ireland, never played in a major tournament.
versus Messi, 474 goals in 520 for Barcelona, another 22 in 58 for PSG, 109 goals in 188 appearances for Argentina. All at basically the highest level you can play in terms of club and international football with a World Cup, multiple Champions Leagues, double digit league titles. Individual achievements too long to type but just go look at Wikipedia.
Fair play, respect all opinions but that's one of the craziest ones I've seen in a long time nqat.
Rodri is probably the best midfielder in the world but aside from him nobody else there is world class, maybe Carvajal as his style of right back? Yamal certainly seems to be on the trajectory of becoming a world class player but he's not there yet
What they do have is a clutch of very, very good players everywhere, no gaps in the way England do. Even someone like Cucurella who was mocked pre final likely gets in the England team. Morata who was deemed a weak link has played & scored for some of Europe's biggest clubs and those who play at less heralded clubs showed how good they really are
Some very over dramatic responses to my post.
If we are talking about opinions on the best 24 truly world class players throughout history so far, (and the meaning of this phrase is still up for debate) then of course I’d have Messi in there.
I was referring to a squad, as in a 24 man squad, so in my humble opinion, after seeing all 4 play in my time, I’d have Maradona, Pele and Best before Messi, in my squad. Peter Schmeikle and Neville Southall, my keepers. Paulo Maldini, Franco Barezi and Bobby Moore in my defence etc etc.
it’s all opinions and fantasy land anyway, for who knows how Best and Messi would have performed if they’d both played in each others eras.
Ps, I’d probably of also picked Jimmy Greaves ahead of Messi as well 😱