Thetownend.com

Ok, so I've just turned 39 years old, been into football all my life with earliest memories being of Spain 82.

So far I think I've been treated to some fabulous players and some great teams - from early 80s Brazil (Zico, Socrates) to France (Platini, Zidane, Henry) to Italy (Baggio) to Holland (Van Basten, Gullit) to Argentina (Maradona) & Germany (a german & another german) to name but a few without going into various league teams.

However, I think Messi is, in my opinion, probably the greatest player I have seen in my lifetime and thoroughly deserving of his third Ballon d'Or with probably many more to come. To me he plays like we did at school at break time - with a smile on a his face believing he can do anything (and usually does). I'm sure theres a bad side but I've not seen it. For a chap so small in stature he is a giant in the world of football.

What does everyone think ??

If he doesn't go missing as per usual during the next World Cup its possible

For me Maradonna,Zico was another favourite but Messi is up there no doubt about it.

It has to be Maradona, during that time. Zidane has a wonderful collections of trophies at international and club level but Messi still has years to catch up... Argentina really need to sort themselves out as they have many wonderful players but still manage to fall far short.

He's good, in a very dominant Barca side. He needs to produce on the world stage for me.

The 1970 Brazil team is still the tops for me.

Obviously Pele was the star, but they were a team full of great players

It's easy to forget he's still only 24. Destined to be the world's greatest in my eyes.

Destined, but not there yet.

Maradona for me, he won a world cup pretty much on his own. Another flawed genius mind.

Well, he certainly had a hand in it.

Thomas dossevi

Bit too young to have seen much of Maradona (bar coke fuelled gurning at the camera in '94) but I'd give Zidane the nod - just - over Messi.

Messi's goalscoring record is insane but to me Zidane was the best all round player I've seen in my lifetime.

Do think Messi needs to do it on the international stage before he is considered as good/better than Pele/Maradona/Zidane. Wouldn't bet against it happening mind you.

Every meaningful stat from 2011 suggests Ronaldo is better than Messi, more goals, more assists etc. Yet Messi continues to win the award every year. Unfortunately at Uefa/Fifa there is a huge Barcelona love in at the minute!

I echo London Red, Zidane for me is the bes i've seen, the guy could do anything and did it on an international stage as well.

I had a weird dream last night that I was on set on the filming of an Ah-ha music video and Messi was an extra in it.

To be fair to the lad he even signed a shirt for me.

I went to El Classico at the Bernabau when Robben, RVN were playing for Real and Barca were having a torrid time (Real won 4-1).

In that struggling team and very young (he was probably 19,20 at this time) he still looked a class above the rest of his team.

Amazing to think he is only 24. As others have said, if he can turn it on for Argentina he will become a great. Hopefully he won't burn out.

Zidane had one problem..... he played for France. I think George Best deserves a mention. If he had not been an alcoholic, the debate would not even be happening.

The 70 Brazil team is by far the best overall team, although I was only 4 at the time! But with Pele the shining light, I saw him play as a 40 year old and he was the best player on the pitch by a country mile.

Maradonna for me is better than Messi as he has shown it in the World Cup Finals, not just at a club/european level.

As Phil says......if George Best had managed to stay sober he would possibly be the best player ever but thats conjecture.

Another vote for Maradonna here. Did the business in lesser sides than Messi has. That said, Messi is the best player around today and deserves to be mentioned with the greats of the past.

Regarding George Best, the other problem was that he was never going to play in a World Cup finals.

So even if he hadn't had his drink problems, I'm not sure he would ever have been recognised in the way that Pele, Maradona & Zidane are.

Was a genius of a player though.

 What's all this Dirty Diego love in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1oJ9WlGNk8

Pele for me by a country mile. He played when you could still crucify players on the pitch. He also played the game in the right spirit. Agree about Brazil 70.
Maradona is a cunt - a horrible little cheating, drug riddled, syph ridden piece of excrement.
Johan Cruyff was also a class player. Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore were also top class. Germ Mulller is probably the best finisher I've ever seen.
Of the current lot then Messi rules. 

I didn't see Pele in action and my only memories of Maradona are the dirty Italia 90 mob and the drug addled USA '94 effort.

Both have waffled on about who is better (and who is the 'next' them) for so long that they'll get no love from me.

For talent that I have witnessed within a football stadium, it's Messi.

Did Pele or Maradona ever appear in an A-ha music video? Messi wins.

No but Pele did appear in Escape to Victory alongside ex Town stalwats Summerbee and Ardiles. Escape to Victory trumps AHa video

Pele's great football ability is eroded some what by the fact he's turned into such a fricking cock. Can't stand listening to his shit opinions.

I know he's in the news and flavour of the minute at the moment but a few years ago in full stride Thierry Henry was unplayable.