i cannot believe we are even debating the quality of Ronaldo as a footballer. i'm not even going to bother entering this debate because the numbers speak for themselves. but i will say this. Ronaldo is one of the most complete footballers the world has ever seen. (yes i know i'm biased)

 

re Crouch. he is a hard worker so i admire him for that. and it's always a surprise to see someone play well for england

 

and i agree with everything said about hargreaves.

 

Ronaldo great footballer - no

Great diver & con artist - yes

Or they could just scrap the CL and create a European "super league" of all the top teams instead.;)

 

Give it 5 or so years and that would probably happen, an European Super-League with even more silly TV money given to it.

 

Football sold it's soul to tv money and sponsorship a long time ago, they will do anything to get even more money to pay the players even more money.

This was a poor season for the title chasers, and City will only get stronger, in my opinion. They certainly won't drop too far from this seasons points tally. I think Liverpool have a very outside chance of third, an outside chance at fourth, a fair placing would be fifth, but away from the top four by a few games.

 

That's what I reckon anyway.

Now Man City are in the top 4, it will take something special to kick them out.

 

Liverpool & Spurs will be fighting it out for 5th place again next year.

 

Although they would want to see this sign changed to 19-19

Spurs will struggle to get as high as they did without spending silly amounts again unless they get knocked out of Europe quick sharp

Ronaldo great footballer - no

Great diver & con artist - yes

 

I'd go as far as to say that if you don't think Ronaldo's a great footballer you know nothing about football (Or don't watch La Liga). Like deathsfriend (was it?) said he is the most complete attacking footballer now, he can score any type of goal, and back in the days when he was more of a winger who did a million step overs and either fell over or failed to deliver a final ball, now he's become a genius who knows exactly how to play a defence effectively, and it isn't as much about his trickery and being self-centred anymore, he wants results by any means.

 

40-50 goals a season for a midfielder (And a considerable amount of assists)? C'mon, you don't score that many from diving, make sense please.

How many were from penalties?

This was a poor season for the title chasers, and City will only get stronger, in my opinion. They certainly won't drop too far from this seasons points tally. I think Liverpool have a very outside chance of third, an outside chance at fourth, a fair placing would be fifth, but away from the top four by a few games.

 

That's what I reckon anyway.

 

City may get stronger but I they are highly susceptible to internal troubles and splits in the dressing room that it could impact on the field. Also you wouldn't put it past the Man City board to sack Mancini mid way through the season. They should get into the top 4 again next season but there's a vulnerability there.

I wouldn't put it past the Man City board to sack Mancini before the start of the season and bring in someone else

Ronaldo great footballer - no

Great diver & con artist - yes

That.

Something very strange seems to be happening at City again.. but these are press reports, most likley without any foundation

 

 

Mancini Sacked or has quit

 

How many were from penalties?

 

9 penalties. about 9-10 tap ins depending on how harsh you are.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RAKPUSXNBI&feature=email&email=comment_reply_received]YouTube - ‪Cristiano Ronaldo's 53 Goals of 10/11 in 3 Minutes (HD)‬‏[/ame]

Lolz I'm a Barsa fan and I can admit that C Ronaldo (can we remember to use the C? I was confused for a bit) is a great footballer. He's one of the best strikers in the world right now, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Messi.

 

And he does dive too much, although he seems to have cut back a bit since his days with Man U.

 

And he does dive too much

 

True. In fact, I'm amazed he wasn't born with a periscope protruding from his head.:rolleyes:

9 penalties. about 9-10 tap ins depending on how harsh you are.

 

YouTube - ‪Cristiano Ronaldo's 53 Goals of 10/11 in 3 Minutes (HD)‬‏

for the sake of comparison...

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXgGHX63Hn4]YouTube - ‪Lionel Messi all 50 GOALS 2010/2011 * New * HD‬‏[/ame]

After watching both videos, there's no doubt in my mind that Messi had the better season. Messi's goals were beautiful. They required a lot more skill than the majority of C Ronaldo's goals. Most of C Ronaldo's goals were either great shots or simple tap-ins, while nearly all of Messi's goals had long build ups and brilliant dribbles. Messi is a true artist with the football.

 

Pele? Maradona? If/when Messi wins a World Cup, he will be hailed as the greatest of all time.

 

Is my opinion biased? Probably. But I honestly think Messi is a much better footballer all-around.

Ja, I have to say the second vid is more impressive, or at least more interesting.

Lolz I'm a Barsa fan and I can admit that C Ronaldo (can we remember to use the C? I was confused for a bit) is a great footballer. He's one of the best strikers in the world right now, but I wouldn't put him ahead of Messi.

 

And he does dive too much, although he seems to have cut back a bit since his days with Man U.

 

i'm not putting him ahead of Messi. i'm just saying they are comparable.

Ronaldo is a better goalscorer than Messi. In fact since he's left England Ronaldo has just become even better at it. The best in the world. But clearly as an all round player he is certainly not.

i'm curious to know where people would put Xavi and Iniesta in this whole debate (one which i promised not to enter into 3 days ago lol) or would be comparing apples and oranges then?

i'm curious to know where people would put Xavi and Iniesta in this whole debate (one which i promised not to enter into 3 days ago lol) or would be comparing apples and oranges then?

 

Inseparable. Totally inseparable in my opinion! One of the best midfield double acts ever in world football. In fact perhaps probably the best of all time! If someone put a gun to my head and I had to choose one it'd be Xavi but that's more to do with the fact he's my favourite player at Barcelona!

 

Both are equally the best midfielders in the world.

I think Xavi and Iniesta (especially Xavi) are the key to Barca's game. Messi is just the icing of the cake.

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/Features/Homecoming-bus-cam

I think Xavi and Iniesta (especially Xavi) are the key to Barca's game. Messi is just the icing of the cake.

 

Absolutely. Barcelona could get away without having Messi in their squad. But if you took Xavi and Iniesta out of the team then they'd have some big big problems.

 

Individually Messi may be the best player in the world but in the end football is a team game and that's why I think Xavi and Iniesta are the best two players in the world.

Barcelona are the best team in the world by a long way, and they have the best player in the world. "They can play man utd 10 times and win 8 .. "After that you have Man United, Madrid...maybe Chelsea

 

Then much further behind still everyone else ...