10 - Lionel Messi - v1

[JamDav1982]

To make it short. No, he wasn't. Iniesta had arguably his best ever season so far in his career in 2009 while Messi was just another forward in our highly prolific attacking trident, scoring just 23 goals in La Liga. If Iniesta had a season like that again now in 2012 / 2013 and Messi would only score 23 goals in La Liga, Iniesta would easily get the Ballon d'Or ahead of him. The only reason Messi won it in 2009 ahead of Iniesta is because Xavi and Iniesta weren't as recognised names back then. See the Dailymail headline about Xavi. It was all about goalscorers: Kaka, Ronaldo, Torres, Messi. Hell, I even remember Torres getting all the praise in the media back in 2008 for Spain's Euro success.

There is not a chance that Iniesta in 2009 was better than Messi and there was barely anyone saying it at the time.

You have just worked backwards to a season when Messi's stats were not as dominant as now, but he was clearly the best player in the world in 2009.

 

[jiopi]

08-09 Racing 1 - 2 Barcelona. Now what a game that was, by Messi.

 

[Garrus]

Amusing how some members try to sound pseudo intellectuals by claiming to have some special objectivity to their opinion on who deserves the ballon d'or.
Listen geniuses Winners aren't choosen by a special formula, Nor by statistics or even trophies, It's much more simpler actually, It's the magic that the player has, yes it is a vague description, But that's the truth, And it's the only explanation on how messi managed to win it for 3 consecutive years.
This guy on the field is a wonder to watch, A prime magician, an eye candy, He captured the hearts of the world by his talent, And they still have this view of him till now, And it's not going to change anytime soon, Not unless he has a sudden major drop in performance for a long period.

 

[footyfan]

Iniesta having his best every season has nothing to do with how Messi played. Messi had 38 goals and 18 assists in all competitions. Even though he scored ONLY 23 goals in La Liga and Iniesta had his best ever season, he was still awarded La Liga Player of the Year, LFP Best Player (and LFP Best Forward) and Trofeo Alfredo di Stefano that year, all of which are Spanish. In addition, he won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (and award for Best Forward), Ballon D'Or, the Onze D'Or and a few other trophies. Are Xavi and Iniesta not recognised names in Spain either?

 

[Ursegor]

There is not a chance that Iniesta in 2009 was better than Messi and there was barely anyone saying it at the time.

You have just worked backwards to a season when Messi's stats were not as dominant as now, but he was clearly the best player in the world in 2009.

Iniesta was easily better than him. And the English live commentary in the CL final did recognise it. As much as Alex Ferguson did:

SAF: "I'm not obsessed with Messi, Iniesta is the danger. He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible."

You people would be shocked to see how much Messi has developed since 2009.

The top comment sums it up: "When he was human."

 

[JamDav1982]

Iniesta was easily better than him. And the English live commentary in the CL final did recognise it. As much as Alex Ferguson did:

SAF: "I'm not obsessed with Messi, Iniesta is the danger. He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible."

You people would be shocked to see how much Messi has developed since 2009.

The top comment sums it up: "When he was human."

Ferguson said similar quotes about Busquets in 2011 and had Rooney marking him, does that make him the best?

If Iniesta was better why did he win none of the awards?

Messi was clearly the better player and deserved all the accolades

 

[jiopi]

Next week when Iniesta scores brace against Benfica, he will be better goal scorer than Messi, from 06-13.

 

[Garrus]

Iniesta was easily better than him. And the English live commentary in the CL final did recognise it. As much as Alex Ferguson did:

SAF: "I'm not obsessed with Messi, Iniesta is the danger. He's fantastic. He makes the team work. The way he finds passes, his movement and ability to create space is incredible."

You people would be shocked to see how much Messi has developed since 2009.

The top comment sums it up: "When he was human."

By the way you seem to constantly use videos of CL to emphasize iniesta contribution and messi's lacking, By your logic, Drogba should win the ballon d'or next......Ops

 

[Ursegor]

Why did Messi not win the most recent European Player Of The Year Award?

And please show me the 2011 quote of Ferguson saying that Busquets is the danger and not Messi.

 

[jiopi]

Why did Messi not win the most recent European Player Of The Year Award?

And please show me the 2011 quote of Ferguson saying that Busquets is the danger and not Messi.

He lost it by one vote, not having homie vote like Iniesta and Cronaldo.

 

[Ursegor]

By the way you seem to constantly use videos of CL to emphasize iniesta contribution and messi's lacking

 

[JamDav1982]

Why did Messi not win the most recent European Player Of The Year Award?

And please show me the 2011 quote of Ferguson saying that Busquets is the danger and not Messi.

In 2009 Alex Ferguson said Ronaldo was 'streets ahead of Messi'.

Was he right about that?

Why did Iniesta not win the individual awards?

 

[jiopi]

By the way you seem to constantly use videos of CL to emphasize iniesta contribution and messi's lacking, By your logic, Drogba should win the ballon d'or next......Ops

Or, maybe he should watch BAR 4 - 0 MÜN.

 

[footyfan]

Or, maybe he should watch BAR 4 - 0 MUN.

Or the Lyon game. Or the Atletico game. Or the Osasuna game. Or the Copa del Rey final. Or......

 

[jiopi]