Of all time? It's very hard to compare players across eras and across both international and club disciplines. Pele's peak was almost fifty years ago and football was a different game. I reckon a lot of people think that Maradona was better and I think that most now would say that Messi has played at Maradona's level or beyond for three or four times as long. The one question mark or failure in Messi's career is that he has not won the world cup - I mean lots of great players such as Giggs or Best never got near cos they were from minor footballing countries but Messi is from a strong footballing country and has had great players around him in the national side. Maradona according to popular myth (which ignores other genius level players like Caniggia who were in the Argentina 86 team) almost single-handedly dragged Argentian to the cup and lifted Napoli from a medium side to champions of Europe. Also Maradona did it with much more of a street fighting swagger which beguiled the pundits.I was told pele was the best
Most footballers?has there ever been an all time level athlete, in any sport, with a goofier looking face than messi?
Yeah there is something in that, he doesn't look like a killer... contrast with Maradona who may have been using cocaine at this point.federer is too handsome. ronaldhino too freaky looking. Im looking for faces that defy all mythos about the athlete, antithetical to the ruthless competitor
Does goofy mean ugly?
Beardsley and Le Tissier spring to mind.
And there's that man united defender who does weird faces - Phil jones?
Another one about (I think) Jim LeightonAfter Newcastle are defeated 5-0 the team traipse dejectedly into the changing room. Manager starts having a go at them "There are gonna be some new faces around here!" - Beardsley pipes up "Can I have one?"
United have lost again due to another goalkeeping fumble... Leighton comes into the changing room, puts his head in his hands and drops it on the floor.