Lionel "The Greatest of All Time" Messi

[serghei]

Their legacy now is bigger than it was 8 years ago.

I am not talking about their level, but broadcasting and sponsorship hype

Ah yea, in that case, the dumb masses will eat it up no doubt and think they will see some epic showdown.

 

[bismp]

8 years too late. It's like De Niro vs Pacino, but not in Heat, but more like Righteous Kill.

Ah yea, in that case, the dumb masses will eat it up no doubt and think they will see some epic showdown.

The perfect, relatively realistic final showdown in their prime would be a CL final between 2012 and ~2017

 

[KingLeo10]

I always wonder why more hype isn't given to the CL encounters they had from 2008 to 2011. Both were already in their primes and playing at Ballon D'Or level (CR7 has already won his 1st, Messi would win his first 3 in this span).

For the record,

Messi in those games: 3 goals in 5 games (CL final goal and CL semi final double at Bernabeu); 2 W, 2 D, 1 L

CR7 in those games: 0 goals in 5 games (including missed penalty); 1 W; 2D, 2 L

CR7 fans have done a great job sweeping his early CL failures/disappearances and struggles v prime Barca in general (no shame in that, tbf, but he had strong ManU and RM sides too). He had a grand total of 1 goal v Barca after like 7-8 games until we began declining in 2012

 

[serghei]

The perfect, relatively realistic final showdown in their prime would be a CL final between 2012 and ~2017

2015 CL final would've been near both at their close-best. Morata stopped it .

 

[serghei]

I always wonder why more hype isn't given to the CL encounters they had from 2008 to 2011. Both were already in their primes and playing at Ballon D'Or level (CR7 has already won his 1st, Messi would win his first 3 in this span).

For the record,

Messi in those games: 3 goals in 5 games (CL final goal and CL semi final double at Bernabeu); 2 W, 2 D, 1 L

CR7 in those games: 0 goals in 5 games (including missed penalty); 1 W; 2D, 2 L

CR7 fans have done a great job sweeping his early CL failures/disappearances and struggles v prime Barca in general (no shame in that, tbf, but he had strong ManU and RM sides too). He had a grand total of 1 goal v Barca after like 7-8 games until we began declining in 2012

Pep Barca was a ruthless machine that limited teams to 3-4 decent counters a game. If Messi played against Pep Barca during that time he would have found it very tough.

 

[KingLeo10]

Pep Barca was a ruthless machine. If Messi played against Pep Barca during that time he would have found it very tough.

He struggled (0 goals in 2 games and missed penalty) in the 07-08 CL semis (before Pep). Messi put on a show at OT meanwhile and had like the record number of dribbles in a CL game (16).

So, it's not all down to Pep either

 

[serghei]

He struggled (0 goals in 2 games and missed penalty) in the 07-08 CL semis (before Pep). Messi put on a show at OT meanwhile and had like the record number of dribbles in a CL game (16).

So, it's not all down to Pep either

True, but Ronaldo imo played better later in his career, as a high-profile scorer. He was more entertaining and explosive as a winger pre-2010 so to speak, but not as great imo. Post 25 years old, he started to really refine his finishing skills and developed into a deadly finisher.

 

[KingLeo10]

True, but Ronaldo imo played better later in his career, as a high-profile scorer. He was more entertaining and explosive as a winger pre-2010 so to speak, but not as great imo. Post 25 years old, he started to really refine his finishing skills and developed into a deadly finisher.

Oh, I agree with this. I just meant like when critics highlight Messi's poor CL record (outside of 2019, for his standards) since 2016, they (not you) often sweep under the rug CR7's struggles/poor record pre-2012 and post-RM.

 

[Morten]

The perfect, relatively realistic final showdown in their prime would be a CL final between 2012 and ~2017

2015 was very close to make it happening.

That time it was our failing it did not happen, but later, if Barca didn't collapse in away legs about every season, you probably would have faced us in at least one final.

 

[JohnN]

The perfect, relatively realistic final showdown in their prime would be a CL final between 2012 and ~2017

I'd say the perfect era would be between 2008 and 2016.

 

[bismp]

The most realistic chances were 2012 and 2015, as bot Barca and Real were really close to making the final. In 2016-2018 we choked really hard. And in 2013-2014 we were too weak.

 

[soul24rage]

Starting XI confirmed by Gaston Edul

Let's gooo

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

The perfect, relatively realistic final showdown in their prime would be a CL final between 2012 and ~2017

many guys also thought it could happen in 12/13 but then both team were humilated by the german teams tzz

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Starting XI confirmed by Gaston Edul

Let's gooo

alvarez?

Edit: Just found him.

 

[Rory]

No Lisandro is a big call. Thought they were far less shaky at the back with him on the ball.