Not gonna lie... was pretty nervous when the shootout started. But Emi Martinez my word. This guy is one of the best keepers in the world. I don't care what anybody says. The bravado and the confidence that he has in the highest pressure moments isn't something ordinary.
Good post.
The only thing I really disagree with is the comparison with Mbappe. They are not THAT similar as players. Prime CR is much better at heading the ball, better at scoring from set pieces and better at crossing the ball. Meanwhile, Mbappe is only really better in terms of...
I would definitely rank Messi, Pele and Maradona over CR. After that it becomes at least debatable. I have the likes of Cruyff and Di Stefano above too but I don't have major issues with CR at #4 all time. Not with what he's accomplished and I do think his peak was quite sensesational...
CR is obviously nowhere near Messi/GOAT level but he is an all time great. For instance, no young player today looks like they'll ever come close to matching prime CR. Not even Mbappe, Vini, Gakpo etc are as talented. Dude was that good.
Messi won't reach 1000 goals because he might play like 70-80 club games for Miami plus like 30-40 international games before retirement.
Of course it doesn't matter. He's the modern GOAT anyway.
League-wise and internationally, there isn't even much to debate. Messi is superior statistically and in terms of accomplishments.
However I don't even think CR being better than Messi in the CL is a given at all. Sure he's scored more goals but Messi is a much better all-around player...