Though Lionel Messi’s five foot hung in air like an NBA star to score a goal against the Manchester United Goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Saar on May 27 did leave millions of fans open their mouth in awe, it was really a deserving but hard to believe recognition when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as the World’s Best Footballer. With this huge achievement which has been achievable only by great players over the years, Messi has probably placed himself in line for winning the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the year award this year. Both the great players of the present – Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi do have many things to contrast themselves out from each other than the one single skill that makes them look alike – their pace. Though they both have emerged to be the fastest players of the present, the way they apply their pace does differ!
Ronaldo paces out in a straight line just like a bow from an arrow while Messi combines his pace with a 360-degree awareness of everything around him to skid in and out frequently to confuse the opponent with his dribbling style that comes from the oldest of the football tricks history! With his goal against Getafe two years ago, Messi has managed to repeat Maradona’s most famous goal – his second goal in quarter final of 1986 World cup, frame by frame with his similar dribbling skills. While the question, “Is Messi the opt guy for the award?”, still in debate Messi does continue to shine with his pace packed game on and on!
0
