Lionel Messi's Golden Ball isn't even news anymore: it is the third in a row, won hands down beating once again the competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Xavi. On the evening in Zurich during which the president of UEFA Platini presented the award to the player who equaled his record, the usual debate, which was more and more recurring, held the court: is therefore the Argentine Pulce the strongest player in history? And if not, in which position does it fit among the sacred monsters of the past such as Pele and Maradona?
Leonardo, manager of the PSG, had already given his answer indirectly on the eve, piquedly replying to Maradona who had called him an "oilman" (for his collaboration with the Emir Al Thani at the helm of the Parisian company): "Receive the attentions of the third best player in history is an honor”. So, apparently Messi has surpassed his compatriot, who nevertheless remains the favorite of fans from all over the world who, through the official Fifa prize awarded by popular vote, have elected him player of the century. “Maradona is better than Pele”, they said in Naples in the 80s. Therefore, by the transitive property, Messi is better than Pelè. However, Leonardo will not agree, who certainly still leaves the first place to his compatriot, as indeed a good part of the enthusiasts. And who, then, is the best ever?
Platini will take care of untangling the skein: “Messi? Formidable the third success at only 24 years old. He is the great player of this generation. But one cannot compare the phenomena of different eras. I've never understood why no one would dare to rank among the best singers in history. You don't compare Celentano to Sinatra or Piaf. Different years, different voices, but in football everything is worth it".
Solomonic too Alex Ferguson, guest of honor of the evening (he received the special Fifa Lifetime Achievement Award), who however is not against an inter-generational evaluation: “If someone is really good you can move him in every decade, this is what distinguishes the champions. Messi would have been incredible in the XNUMXs, Platini would have had the same results today. This is how it works for a few: Maradona, Pelé, Di Stefano. The others have to stay within the borders”.
The fact remains that the little Argentinian, 169 centimeters of class and talent, as mentioned by Platini himself, won all this at just 24 years old, and has shown that he has ample head so as not to get lost over time: he is therefore destined to win other Golden Balls, although, as he himself acknowledged, the credit also goes to that wonderful club he plays for, Barcelona. If "Pulga" manages to lead his national team, Argentina, to success, as only Maradona was able to do at the time, then yes, he will be the best ever.
Here are all the prizes of the evening.
Best footballer: Messi (Barcelona)
Best female soccer player: Homare Sawa (Japanese National)
Best Technician: Pep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
Best coach of a women's team: Norio Sasaki (Japan coach)
Fair Play Award: Japanese Federation, for the contribution given to the nation after the Fukushima disaster
Puskas award (most spectacular goal): Neymar for the goal scored in the Santos-Flamengo match
Fifa special prize: Alex Ferguson
Ideal team: Casillas; Alves, Pique, S. Ramos, Vidic; Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi; C. Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney.
