"No. I don't see anybody who is at that level. Those players you mention all had extraordinary skill, two great feet, and they were all good in the air."
"Messi?"
"Well, Lionel Messi is a wonderful player. Very skilful. Highly intelligent. He is not good in the air." And Messi, he adds, is not equally comfortable with either foot.
I'd like to see Cruyff, Zidane, or Best (all magnificent players) consistently chip goalkeepers in full stride with their non dominant foot. Probably one of the most difficult skills to accomplish in a game under pressure.
Not saying they haven't done it. But consistently?
To be honest with you, I could really see any of them men doin' it consistently.....but I do agree, Messi does do dat so regular....and he does do it all how...the other day ah see him chip the ball back across the 'keeper, a defender and against his own run of play. Ah could only shake meh head.
As great as Pele is and as much respect as we all would have for him, sometims I really wish he would just fall back and
(STFU!) be quiet. He acts as is his legacy, a legacy way beyond reproach, is always under attack. I really don't see that the people that are lavishing praise upon Messi, are quite comparing his
accomplishments to those of Pale and Maradonna. But he should be gracious enough to recognize Messi's own artistic greatness. But if "Messi" is a word that doesn't belong in the same conversation as "Pele" and "Maradonna" then he shouldn't be talking about Best or Cruyff in the same conversation as Zidane, much less, using all three in the same group and a staandard for greatness.
Ah does really laugh at people that does (still) say that Messi "is not a good header of the ball." Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van Der Saar would be the first ones to dispute that as first-hand witnesses.
But, so far, I do agree with ONE thing Pele said, though...:"Ronaldo is... avery goodplayer. In the same way that David Beckham was a very good player." He eh lie 'bout dah one!
