TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
| |||
|
| |||
| |||
|
| |||
| Why Messi can be better than Maradona Lionel Messi is the world's best player but he can only fulfil his destiny for Argentina if Maradona's ego takes a back seatAn enduring image: the Champions League final, Barcelona against Manchester United. Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick surround a figure, hardly visible. They trip over him, fall on top of him and the small man beneath them just keeps moving – he slithers out, breaks free, his centre of gravity so low he's like a snake, some sort of reptile or larva. He keeps running, he has the ball at his feet all this time, dragging it along as if it's part of his body. The United players are huge, twice his size. As he escapes from their clumsy grip he charges forth, now more like a bull, leaving them staring amazed, hands on their hips, disempowered.It was of course Lionel Messi, this week crowned best footballer in the world according to Fifa. Such rankings and accolades are arguable and often meaningless, but in the Argentinian's case justice has been done. Credit where it is due.Messi was born in Rosario, 300km north-west of Buenos Aires, where he spent every waking hour kicking a ball around, and as soon as he was given his first one he also spent every sleeping hour embracing it. Now 22, he still says his favourite present is a ball. There are cartoons of him and his inordinate collection.He played, as a child, with his older brothers and cousins. He could take them all on, and one day, when an older player was missing at the little club where he and his family spent most of their free time, his grandmother insisted to the coach that he play the small Lionel. He was soon in the Newell's academy, Newell's Old Boys being one of the two big Rosario clubs.He played in the street, after school, at the club, then slept with the ball until sunrise when he kicked off again. So far, so like most of the kids where he comes from. What made him stand out, however, apart from his extraordinary skill and speed, was a rare growth hormone deficiency which required expensive treatment.His father, Jorge, expertly brokered a deal with Barcelona whereby the medical treatment needed would be to hand and the family would be accommodated, too. "What kind of a father would let a child so young move alone?" Jorge Messi said to me some time ago. Millions, actually, do.Lionel thus moved to Barcelona in his early teens. It's interesting, the impact of exile on the footballer, and Lionel is as Argentinian as they come: he drinks mate, speaks with a distinct Rosario accent, and always felt the distance from home. "Here there's nothing of what we have there," he told me once.It was the Brazilian players at Barcelona who took him under their wing, ensured he sat at their table every meal. Ronaldinho especially came to regard him as a protégé. Messi says he has no idols only players he admires and respects as human beings: he will inevitably name Ronaldinho at this point.Again like many where he comes from, the expectation that he might become the "next Maradona" has been hanging over him from the start of his career. He is small, and has scored some goals which are almost identical to historic ones by Diego himself. One with the hand, one with the foot, dribbling past a handful of adversaries from the halfway line.But in many ways Messi is the anti-Maradona. Messi is humble, unassuming, innocent almost, and it is possible to walk past him in a car park and not notice him. He has a boy-next-door air as he chit chats with a club kitman, while tourists walk right pass him as they make their way to the Barcelona shop to buy Messi memorabilia. Maradona, by contrast, could not take a step in a public place without a commotion. His presence is felt in the air.Maradona was a natural leader on the pitch, something Messi clearly isn't. As Barcelona picked up the Club World Cup last weekend the incredible accomplishment of four major trophies in one year (six in all) was noticeably the team's rather than Messi's alone. In the summer, when they came back from Rome with the Champions League trophy, the entire squad gathered at the Camp Nou, doors open to fans for free. It was night-time, the stadium was packed, and the players took centre stage to address the crowd. All spoke with emotion, sentiment, pride and gratitude.Then came Messi: Pep Guardiola cradled his head in his hands in horror, the other players gesticulated for someone to prevent the giddily drunken Messi from taking the mike. It was endearing – nothing could have been further from a great leader. Clad in a scarf and hat, walking around the squad, it was difficult to imagine him only a day earlier as he had been during the match: the little flea rising above the United defenders to cushion that soft header into the net and confirm victory.In Argentina at the moment, there is a wave of criticism towards Lionel. Some feel he is not performing for his country with the excellence he can give his club. This isn't unanimous, many feel the fault lies with the manager who seems unable to utilise this incredible resource. Maradona himself has uttered unkind words about him, and this could be the main controversy around Team Argentina this year.In Spain, Maradona's treatment of Messi is considered unforgiveable. In Argentina, Messi is not yet as loved and revered as the local hero. He will be, if he picks up the World Cup. But that depends on the team around him, and the leader of that team's ability to find a way forward. Herein lies the challenge for next summer. Will Maradona be big enough to allow Messi to become the undisputed No1 player of his generation? Not the next Maradona, but better?Lionel MessiDiego MaradonaArgentinaBarcelonaMarcela Mora y Araujoguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Alan Hansen: Manchester United's character makes them my favourites to win title Champions ability to win even when not playing particularly well sets them apart from rivals, claims Alan Hansen. telegraph.co.uk |
Emmanuel Adebayor: Togo players may quit after Angola gun attack Man City striker said Togo team-mates wanted to quit African Nations Cup after attack on team bus in which two players shot. telegraph.co.uk |
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish: Joe Hart a major contender for World Cup Birmingham's on-loan goalkeeper, Joe Hart, tipped by manager Alex McLeish to be England's No1 at this summer's World Cup. telegraph.co.uk |
Ferguson urges fans to back club Sir Alex Ferguson pleads with Manchester United fans to put aside dissatisfaction with the club's owners and back his team as they attempt to retain their Barclays Premier League title. foxsports.com.au |