Pep Guardiola is hailing Lionel Messi as the best player ever after Barcelona’s Euro super show but the general feeling is that he needs to win a World Cup and dominate at club level for many more years to reach that level.
The Spanish champions demolished Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley to earn a fourth European Cup. Messi was once again at his brilliant best, scoring the second and leaving United defenders in his wake all evening.
Messi turns 24 later this month and he is already being compared to his Argentine compatriot Diego Maradona who many believe was even more talented than Pele.
Barca boss Guardiola said: “Lionel is the best player I’ve ever seen, probably the best ever. He made the difference. Messi is unique, a one-off. I just hope he doesn’t get fed up. When he doesn’t play well it is because something is wrong with his environment. Let’s hope he can continue playing well.”
But coach Carl Brown, technical director of Cayman’s national football programme, is not so sure. “Messi might be in the long term but he is still only 23 and I’m not certain that we can come to that conclusion yet. Only time will tell. He hasn’t reached that stage yet. He has won the Champions League three times now but still no World Cup.”
Lee Ramoon, technical director of George Town who retained the Digicel Cup and FA Cup and were second to Elite in the Premier League, feels the same way as Brown. “Messi is a great player, magical kid, but he’s still a young kid,” Ramoon said. “He can’t be classed as the best ever until he wins a World Cup.
“I would put Maradona, Pele and Johan Cruyff ahead of him. Although Cruyff never won a World Cup, he revolutionised the way football is played and he also set the template for Barcelona’s success. I would put Messi in the same bracket as Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane right now.”
Cayman Athletic coach Ernie ‘Gillie’ Seymour does not subscribe to the notion that Messi has to win a World Cup to be the very best. “Cruyff didn’t win the World Cup nor did a number of great players like George Best and Eusebio,” said Gillie.
“I’ve studied on video the great players of the past and Messi already ranks up there with the best. His quality comes once in a lifetime. Yes, he’s young and still has a long way to go but he’s already up there with the big guys.
“Most guys in Barcelona have won the World Cup already (Spaniards from last year). Right now I think Messi is an even better team player than Maradona who never passed. He used to get kicked all over the place because he wouldn’t pass. Messi has the right balance.”
Guardiola insisted his team is a one-off, claiming it would be difficult to find a similar group at another club. He said: “To play like Barcelona you need these players. At another club maybe I would have a problem to find these kind of players. I feel privileged to have these players. Everyone has worked towards this. We are very happy.”
Chelsea are looking for a new manager and Guardiola is on the short list. When pressed on his future, the Spaniard was unusually cryptic. “I will say it again, I have another year on my contract and I intend to work it out.
“You have girls falling at your feet when you win but that can change overnight. But I have to look inside of me. I am happy to be here as coach of these guys but it is not an easy job.”
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