Where's Del Geary....

[Bruce Wayne]

Body of a sparrow, heart of a lion. My only cross city player I took to. Epitomised what the Blades stand for.

 

[bornablade]

Body of a sparrow, heart of a lion. My only cross city player I took to. Epitomised what the Blades stand for.

Who? Ronaldo?

....oh right you mean Del Geary.

When Argentina play may I suggest we discuss Messi by using Alex Sabella's time as Argentina's manager in order to keep it Blades related.

 

[grafikhaus]

This is an easy one isn't it? he is a sublime footballer and an absolute prick of a human being, they aren't mutually exclusive

He does what he's paid to do and does it bloody well. Ferguson was a cunt but a damn good manager. Sport is littered with less-than-savoury characters, but it's often their 'otherness' that sets them apart. I really don't get the hatred for CR. Compared to what a lot of footballers get up to, the odd statue and a big tax bill seems preferable.

The game last night was awesome and (in my humble opinion) based on all measurable statistics and criteria, Ronaldo is probably the best footballer ever. But then in this country, you've either got to be retired or dead to be considered.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He's poncey and posey and pretentious with it - but truly is one of the greatest ever. The thing is, he deserves to be - because he's put the hours in and put the work in. Noone can deny him that, he's transformed himself into the standard he is today.

Messi, for me, is still the better. I can't quite articulate why, maybe its because he makes the magical look effortless. He's this generations version of when I was a kid watch videos of Pele, Maradona etc.

But the 2 things that stand out for me with Ronaldo are:

1. He's transformed him self from (as has been said) the lightweight winger, a skilful member of the supporting cast at Old Trafford to the man, playing centrally, owning and controlling most games.
2. He's often carried Portugal and even Real Madrid to a degree single handedly. He doesn't have the supporting cast that Messi does. Madrid's squad are generally less fluid and less in tune than Barca's years of Xavi, Iniesta etc. He'd be insanely good in that Barca side and that Spain side.

 

[Whiston Blade]

Don't understand what people have against him. He virtually carries Portugal singlehandedly. He is incredibly dedicated to his profession and we are extremely lucky to be able to witness both him and Messi at the same time.

I think it’s the simple fact that he dives yet he’s good enough that he shouldn’t need to.

 

[Chali 2na]

He did absolutely fuck all tonight and walked off with the match ball, and he does this weekly too it’s madness

Except for score a hat-trick, you mean?

 

[FlamingLip]

The constant demand of attention and hogging of limelight keeps him at the top of his game. A place he's enjoyed for a long time and too committed to give up.

He's as compulsive and disciplined as he is hugely talented. A rare combination in British footballing context at least. Exceptional. Last night was yet another example of his brilliance.

 

[Guesty]

Except for score a hat-trick, you mean?

Even then it's rubbish, first half especially some of his flicks and lay-offs were superb. If Guedes had been on his game Ronaldo may have ended up with a couple of assists on top of his hat trick.

 

[mancunianblade]

Except for score a hat-trick, you mean?

Did say walk off with the match ball. Stand by it too I’ve watched him a number of times of past 12 months or so and he does nothing all game bar score 2/3 goals. I genuinely have no idea how he does it, he’s like an NFL kicker, just shows up for a second scores fucks off for a bit and then comes back 25 mins later scores and fucks off again.

He’s perfected the art of being in the right place time a few times a game and when these times come around he’s lethal. He’s Just realised he doesn’t need to run around like a mad twat anymore

 

[Chali 2na]

Did say walk off with the match ball. Stand by it too I’ve watched him a number of times of past 12 months or so and he does nothing all game bar score 2/3 goals. I genuinely have no idea how he does it, he’s like an NFL kicker, just shows up for a second scores fucks off for a bit and then comes back 25 mins later scores and fucks off again.

He’s perfected the art of being in the right place time a few times a game and when these times come around he’s lethal. He’s Just realised he doesn’t need to run around like a mad twat anymore

Did you have a bump on the head between your 1st and 2nd paragraph?

 

[nopigfansintown]

I think there's a lot of recency bias when positioning Ronaldo and Messi in the pantheon of the greats.I'd put Pele and Maradona well ahead of them.I know people who saw George Best and they put him well ahead of Ronaldo,although any numbers based analysis would rule this out due to George's penchant for the bottle. Comparing Ronaldo and Messi against each other is a fools game - they are completely different players. Messi's more of a number ten. Ronaldo has gone from a traditional winger at Man Utd; to an inverted winger, then inside left and now almost a number nine at Real.One plays a key part in the build up of goals; the other finishes them off.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I think there's a lot of recency bias when positioning Ronaldo and Messi in the pantheon of the greats.I'd put Pele and Maradona well ahead of them.I know people who saw George Best and they put him well ahead of Ronaldo,although any numbers based analysis would rule this out due to George's penchant for the bottle. Comparing Ronaldo and Messi against each other is a fools game - they are completely different players. Messi's more of a number ten. Ronaldo has gone from a traditional winger at Man Utd; to an inverted winger, then inside left and now almost a number nine at Real.One plays a key part in the build up of goals; the other finishes them off.

Pele & Maradona joint top, can't make my mind up. The rest are fighting in another league. In addition to the ones you mention you can probably chuck fat Ronaldo, Eusebio, Cruyff and Platini in too to make up the numbers.

 

[Davalon]

He's got a bit of everything.

Sublime player throughout his career but has the obligatory added diving, cheating, and imaginary card waving.

Apparently gives a lot to charity but the cynics cite tax reasons.

His worst trait imho is trying to take the limelight from others. Announcing his likely departure from Real 5 minutes after the final whistle was pitiful in my book.

 

[Jon Bon II]

He did absolutely fuck all tonight and walked off with the match ball, and he does this weekly too it’s madness

But yet when Sharp spends 85 minutes either offside or on his arse and pops just one in, he's revered as a god on here.... Funny old game.

 

[Benny and the Blades]

He's never played for us so he can't be that good ........

 

[snootyfenooty]

He's never played for us so he can't be that good ........

.....and Woody was a better dead ball kicker....

 

[BushBlade]

He's got a bit of everything.

Sublime player throughout his career but has the obligatory added diving, cheating, and imaginary card waving.

Apparently gives a lot to charity but the cynics cite tax reasons.

His worst trait imho is trying to take the limelight from others. Announcing his likely departure from Real 5 minutes after the final whistle was pitiful in my book.

I’d be interested to see what tax regime there is that makes it more profitable to give your money to charity than to pay your tax. You might get tax relief on a portion of your charitable contributions but I suspect if he’d given nothing to charity but paid all his taxes he’d end up with more money in his pocket. Otherwise all high earners would just give their money to charity rather than pay tax, which wouldn’t be in the national interest of any country.

 

[mancunianblade]

Did you have a bump on the head between your 1st and 2nd paragraph?

Guess there is a contradiction or two in there..kinda answered my own question. He’s adapted his game to compensate for what he’s lost and play to his strengths. Guys is brilliant

 

[Pinchy]

One of the greatest players of all time, I don't care how much preening he does.

He isn’t. Trust me. I’ve seen a lot more than you have.

People are getting carried away because of one game. It’s what less cerebral football fans do.

He’s probably the second best player around at the moment, and well behind the best. He’s not even close to the all time legends.

 

[1973Blade]

He isn’t. Trust me. I’ve seen a lot more than you have.

People are getting carried away because of one game. It’s what less cerebral football fans do.

He’s probably the second best player around at the moment, and well behind the best. He’s not even close to the all time legends.

Since 1982 World Cup (the first I took an interest in) only Maradona and Messi better. His finest moment was winning the Euros in an average Portuguese side.

 

[Pinchy]

Does a lot of good stuff off the pitch. Is also a tax dodger, but who in Spanish football isn't?

Swans about the pitch like he owns the place. I think a big part of his problem is he has one of those faces you'd love to punch. Can't really say he hasn't earned the right to be a little arrogant.

If it weren't for Messi then there wouldn't even be a debate over the best footballer ever.

There isn’t.

 

[1973Blade]

He isn’t. Trust me. I’ve seen a lot more than you have.

People are getting carried away because of one game. It’s what less cerebral football fans do.

He’s probably the second best player around at the moment, and well behind the best. He’s not even close to the all time legends.

And my being cerebral I also took account of his five ballon d r awards and 26 trophies he's won, not just one game
The only game I ever saw him play he missed an open goal, so on that basis he is crap!

 

[Pinchy]

Since 1982 World Cup (the first I took an interest in) only Maradona and Messi better. His finest moment was winning the Euros in an average Portuguese side.

Maybe. There was plenty of football before then, though.

Pele, Maradona, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and Platini are the giants of the game. Check their achievements. Ronaldo is nowhere near them. He’s in the next tier with Eusebio, Charlton, Zico, Puskas and a few others.

Only in the World Cup...

 

[The Crab]

Yes, most 'decent human beings' insist in having several statues of themselves and building a museum about themself.

Not a twat at all. Not even a little bit....

As great a player as I think he is, I can't deny the twat bit too much. Yes, the museum is a massive ego trip, but to be fair it is in his home city where he is revered by the locals, not that he has much competition! If you want the full on fanboy experience there is the CR7 Hotel attached too

 

[tincan]

For someone who takes on Chris Morgan and can score a hattrick against the tippy tappies - its just a privilege to have seen him play.

 

[Wards]

They could’ve had ten that day. Remember watch Ronaldo and Rooney just in the warm up shooting in and thinking ‘wow’. Scholes put in a masterclass performance.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

People like to get a big old hard on for the past but there are giants who walk among us now.

Ronaldo is by far the best football player I've ever seen.

His dedication to the game and obsessive pursuit of perfection is unmatched.