10 - Lionel Messi - v5

[JamDav1982]

The entire 2nd half went Portugal's way. Even before Cavani scored when it was 1-1. It was literally just a stroke of brilliance against the run of play from Cavani that saved them. They were hanging on a string before that and after, Portugal constantly getting dangerous looks in front of the goal. As inefficient as the crossing was, they were knocking on the door hard.

No it wasnt.

Uruguay were sitting deep to defend balls into box.

Portugal were the frustrated side getting nowhere.

That game went exactly how Uruguay would want it to for most part and not how Portugal wanted it to go.

Portugal were pretty much poor in every game and not a good side.

 

[Icarium]

Uruguay deserved the win but they did not dominate Portugal, it was just a really good defensive performance. Portugal game plan was wrong, you can't just expect to win crosses against that amazing defense.

 

[BarcaMessi]

Portugal created a lot of dangerous crosses that did not connect and only required CR7's "goat" tap ins.

 

[serghei]

How is Messi's legacy tainted? He will always be known as one of the greatest players. That's the most you can be remembered in this sport. Everything else is his career. Players are remembered for what they were at their best level, for how they played, not for the titles they won or for their resume.

 

[dakt]

Scored when needed to then defended brilliantly for most part other than the goal and allowed the game to be cross after cross.

Portugal had no ideas how to break through them.

Oh they had ideas. It just so happened that they didn't have luck as much as Uruguay.

 

[Morten]

Every shot, every corner is dangerous. These are all chances that can end up with goal. Uruguay was counting on pure luck.

Nope, excellent defending, which it was.

 

[SeloBarca]

Uruguay deserved the win but they did not dominate Portugal, it was just a really good defensive performance. Portugal game plan was wrong, you can't just expect to win crosses against that amazing defense.

EH, Uruguay dominated Portugal in both defence and attack.
None of the Portugal attacks looked really dangerous.
They had one gameplan, like in all other games, and Godin put that gameplan in his pocket.

 

[serghei]

Uruguay played like Portugal would've played if roles would've been reversed. Uruguay is like Portugal with better players, especially in defense.

 

[JamDav1982]

Oh they had ideas. It just so happened that they didn't have luck as much as Uruguay.

No they didnt.

Uruguay scored and defended in the penalty box.

It is like folk claiming Atletico were lucky to win when do the same.

Portugal could barely break them down and Uruguay were the better side.

You seem to think Portugal have to be trying to creat chances or dominate ball..... they didnt and did what they needed to do to win and deservedly.

 

[Icarium]

Messi's legacy in not tainted but he will always be compared to Maradona and that he failed short. But honestly i think few years after he retires people will stop comparing and just be happy they witnessed him. These are the last few years of messi, hope he ends with some more happy memories.

 

[dakt]

Uruguay deserved the win but they did not dominate Portugal, it was just a really good defensive performance. Portugal game plan was wrong, you can't just expect to win crosses against that amazing defense.

But you can. RM won many games doing exactly that. Had Portugal managed to pull it off, you would talk differently. You would say against Uruguay: you cannot count that defence can manage to defend against all the crosses coming in for 90 minutes.

 

[Icarium]

EH, Uruguay dominated Portugal in both defence and attack.
None of the Portugal attacks looked really dangerous.
They had one gameplan, like in all other games, and Godin put that gameplan in his pocket.

Dominate is not what the word i would use, but they clearly were the better team and portugal had it all wrong.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Messi's legacy in not tainted but he will always be compared to Maradona and that he failed short. But honestly i think few years after he retires people will stop comparing and just be happy they witnessed him. These are the last few years of messi, hope he ends with some more happy memories.

If you actually look at their careers without fetishising the World Cup you would see that Messi has far surpassed Maradonna a long time ago, more trophies, much better stats and a lot more years at the top

 

[JamDav1982]

But you can. RM won many games doing exactly that. Had Portugal managed to pull it off, you would talk differently. You would say against Uruguay: you cannot count that defence can manage to defend against all the crosses coming in for 90 minutes.

But Uruguay did defend the crosses as they set out to.

Real Madrid games are irrelevant.

 

[MTL_Barca]

How is Messi's legacy tainted? He will always be known as one of the greatest players. That's the most you can be remembered in this sport. Everything else is his career. Players are remembered for what they were at their best level, for how they played, not for the titles they won or for their resume.

If Cruyff won a WC he would probably be way more popular today thats just how it is, titles matter a lot when it comes to legacies.

Doesn't change anything for me and Messi will be know as one of the best ever but missing the WC will hurt his legacy. If he won it 2014 there probably wouldn't even be a debate now, he would undoubtedly be considered the GOAT by the public no matter what.