Who should win the Ballon d’Or? Erling Haaland or Lionel Messi? OR Kylian Mbappe??
When we talk about football's greatest, Lionel Messi's name is often at the forefront. He's the man who won the treble, shattered the Premier League's single-season scoring record with an astonishing 52 goals and contributed nine assists in a whopping 53 games. Moreover, he clinched the title of the Champions League's top scorer. One might wonder, what more does a player need to do in a single year to be crowned the best in the world?
But there's a caveat here, and it's called the World Cup. It's the one piece of the puzzle that tilts the scales in Messi's favor. The World Cup carries immense weight, and it's meant to be the stage where the best player on the planet shines. Lionel Messi fits that description perfectly. It's crucial to remember that Messi not only won the World Cup but did so at the age of 36. He carried an entire nation on his shoulders, and that achievement alone speaks volumes.
Erling Haaland's feats are nothing short of extraordinary. He played a pivotal role in a brilliantly crafted Manchester City side, which some argue is one of the best football teams ever assembled. We're talking about a team where players like Rodri are in the conversation for the top three, and Pep Guardiola might be the best coach football has ever seen. Under these circumstances, if Messi were absent, Haaland might have clinched the title easily.
However, there's a point to consider here: Leo Messi is 36 years old. Age should not be a factor when assessing his greatness. It's not about asking if he's good for an "old fella." Instead, it's about recognizing that he is simply the best, regardless of age.
So, when we discuss the criteria for determining the best player in the world, we should look at the period from August 1st to July 31st. During that time frame, was Messi the best player in the world? The answer is a resounding yes.
But let's add another layer to this debate. If you were starting a new team during that year and had the choice of any player in the world, would you pick Messi over Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland? This is where things get interesting. It depends on the criteria. If we're talking about the best player during that specific year, then Messi takes the crown. However, if we're looking at building a team for the future, the choice becomes more complex.
In all honesty, many might lean towards choosing Kylian Mbappé over Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi for a fresh start. But that doesn't diminish Messi's greatness; it merely highlights the changing dynamics of football.
In conclusion, the Messi vs. Haaland debate is a testament to the evolving nature of football. Lionel Messi's brilliance in a given year cannot be denied, and his World Cup victory at 36 sets him apart. However, when assembling a new team for the future, different factors come into play. It's a nuanced discussion that ultimately depends on the specific criteria and the perspective of the person making the choice.
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