jihday:
I think it's not ideal comparing footballers across generations, the metric for comparison are always different example is Pele/Maradona played when few non-Europeans played in Europe, number of participants in a world cup were 24 or less. Even rules of the game were very different. I can bet in about 30/40yrs from now we will have another great player and people who didn't watch Messi/CR7 will say the same thing they are saying about Pele and Maradona

TheSuperNerd:
Josh Maja's season stats so far
Clubside: Girondins Bordeaux, France (Ligue 1)


14 appearances
434 mins
5 goals
1 assist
A goal contribution every 72 mins

Limited game time yet superb stats.

Icon4s:
NAIRALAND NIGERIAN FOOTBALL FANS AWARDS 2019

Recall a committee was set up to nominate players into different awards categories. After almost 10 days of intense deliberations the committee has come up with the list below:

Full List of Nominees:

1. Nigerian Player of the Year:
- Victor Osimhen
- Odion Ighalo
- Wilfred Ndidi

2. NPFL player of the Year:
- Ifeanyi Anaemena
- Mfon Udoh
- Theophilus Afelokhai

3. Most Impactful New Inclusion (2019):
- Joe Ayodele-Aribo
- Dennis Emmanuel Bonaventure
- Maduka Okoye

4. Best Ogedengbe Super Eagles Best Goal Keeper of the Year:
- Francis Uzoho
- Daniel Akpeyi
- Maduka Okoye

5. Stephen Keshi Best Defender of the Year:
- William Troost-Ekong
- Kenneth Omeruo
- Ola Aina

6. Samuel Okwaraji Best Midfielder of the Year:
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Joe Ayodele-Aribo
- Alex Iwobi

7. Rashidi Yekini Best Attacking player of the Year:
- Odion Ighalo
- Victor Osimhen
- Samuel Chukwueze

8. Most improved player (2019):
- Victor Osimhen
- Ola Aina
- Chidozie Awaziem

9. Young Player of the Year (U-21):
- Francis Uzoho
- Victor Osimhen
- Samuel Chukwueze

10. Best performing Foreign born Prospect of the year:
-Eberechi Ezeh
- Cyriel Dessers
- Ovie Edjaria

11. Super Falcons Player of the Year:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie
- Azeezat Oshoala
- Francisca Ordega

12. Super Eagles Goal of the Year:
- Samuel Kalu vs Benin( 2021 AFCON qualifiers)
- Paul Onuachu vs Egypt (Friendly)
- Joe Aribo vs Brazil (Friendly)

13. Best assist of the Year:
- Osimhen for Chukwueze versus Lesotho ( 2021 AFCON qualifiers)
- Aina for Ighalo vs Burundi (2019 AFCON)
- Musa for Ighalo vs Cameroon ( 2019 AFCON)

14. National Team of the Year:
- The Super Falcons
- The Super Eagles
- The Golden Eaglets


VOTING OF PLAYERS FOR THE VARIOUS WARDS CATEGORIES COMMENCES ON 6TH OF DECEMBER, @ 6AM(NIG TIME)

Guidelines on voting shall be listed out on that same day.

Cc: TheSuperNerd, Andrewbaba44, Forgiveness, Safarigirl, Tbaba1234, Bascovanveli, Komekn

Mujtahida:

The difficulty in the modern game is in terms of mental stamina, tactical approach and the infusion of science.
But in terms of physicality (not pace but rough rugged play) and abundance of skills old football trumps trumps modern football.

TheSuperNerd:
You are right with your closing statement. In 2150 for example, people will water down what Messi and CR7 did in the second decade of the 21st century because they won't know them as much as they will know the player existing in their era. Only a few will actually take the time to look for clips and videos and watch for themselves and appreciate their genius. Same way we see today with Pele and Maradona.


But overall, we cannot deny the genius of these men, Pele and Maradona who played beautiful and exquisite soccer and still amassed great achievements even in the face of little protection unlike today where we see so much protection for players. In those days, playing Jogo bonito or total football was considered very risky business because you could get murdered onfield by die hards who wont just stand there and allow you show off fancy footworks. But today, you can show off those fancy footworks in peace and the Man who hacks you down is penalised for it big time. It is interesting how Pele and Maradona will fare in today's modern football where there is very good protection for classy players like them. Pele is everything CR7 and Messi are today combined. Pele had the athleticism, raw power and super stamina of CR7 combined with the effortless football mastery of Messi.

For me, I believe the soccer gods sent Pele back to us but by Dividing him into halves... One half is the athletic Pele (CR7) and the other half is artistic/mercurial Pele (Messi). I have watched enough of Pele and ofcos watched CR7 and Messi to come to such Poetic conclusion. Pele was simply something else bigger than something else.

Koboko99:


True the old players will find it hard to cope with the modern day game because of its intensity. Also the modern game has advanced in tactics and has greatly been improved by technology which the old game didn't have.

The modern day game doesn't rate trickery and dribbles, it's result oriented.

The current man city and Liverpool might trouble that Santos team but whoop them......Noooo

Icon79:
FIFA/BALON D'OR

MESSI- 6

RONALDO- 5

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

MESSI-2

RONALDO-1

GOLDEN BOOTS

MESSI-6

RONALDO-4

TROPHIES

MESSI- 36

RONALDO-29

PLAYMAKER AWARDS

MESSI-4

RONALDO- 0

WORLD CUP GOLDEN BALL

MESSI- 1

RONALDO- 0

THE GOAT DEBATE IS DEAD AND BURIED #MESSIX �


O pari

TheGoodJoe:


The question is a big if.

At the end, we can look at Ronaldinho who was one of the gifted players to play the round leather game. Breathtaking skills and insanely futuristic with his decision.

When Guardiola took over and it was time to play with a disciplined mindset, Ronaldinho was not an option. He would never cut it when it comes to on and off field discipline.

However, I believe if those guys were nurtured from a very young age in the modern game, they would do well but not stand so exceptional because of the limited time on the ball to show your gift as in the past.

The pressing and tight marking I feel does far more than Harsh Tackles in limiting a player from excelling.

Olulong:


Na u dash Messi 2 international trophies abi??

As far as that one dey concerned CR7 has 2 and Messi is yet to lift one at National team Level.

I'm not starting an argument, Just correcting a gaffe

TheSuperNerd:
The likes of Rivelino, Tostao, Pele and Jairzinho formed that Brazillian front four in a disciplined 4-2-4 which wrecked teams absolutely. We praise the Brazillian front four but many don't know the discipline of their backline and midfield marshalled by the likes of Gerson, Carlos Alberto (perhap most will know this one no doubt), Clodo Aldo, Piazza, and Brito. All masters at keeping the discipline, shape and dynamism of that awesome Brazillian side. They were the anchor on which the Brazillian "ginga" attacking flavor was founded. They were entertaining, yet resolute and disciplined in their plays.

The Brazillians came up against Tight markings, harsh plays and pressings from the Italians in the 1970 WC final and still tore them apart them limb from limb.

The Brazillians conquered the world three times out of four WC editions with their Ginga/Jogo Bonito style which was ruthlessly result-oriented combo with beautiful entertainment. And you think the likes of Man City struggling to conquer Europe with their pressing attacking style will overcome these Brazillian juggernauts? Sir Goodjoe... I don't think so at all.

That Brazillian team came up against all kinds/sorts of styles including pressing and tight marking styles kinda similar to what the likes of Man City and Pep's Barca play today and Brazil scaled the unscathed. Their super deep talents, combo with their ruthlessness and discipline to stay result oriented even as they entertained will be too much for current Man City to handle.

Three WC triumphs in four Editions with Brazil's super dynamic ginga style shows their effectiveness.

For Pep's Man City, they haven't even reached a European final "yet" with their pressing attacking style since Pep took over. So I don't agree that they stand a chance against the Golden Brazillian Juggernauts.

TheGoodJoe:


Saying Pep's Manchester City have not reached the finals shows you are missing the point. The modern era has a lot of fit teams. Players that run at high intensity for a long time. From Liverpool, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Leipzig, Chelsea, Leicester City, and a host of others. So winning the champions league today is not easy. Which highlights why the players of the old will stand no chance against the current team.

They played with no discipline.

Now to the Brazilian team of the old. Especially, the Pele's team. They might have been good in their era but will not compare to the discipline and tactical understanding of the current era. This is due to the growth in the game.

Finally, the fitness today is crazy. Then it was all muscle and power. Now it is all about pure fitness. We have intense marathon runners that cover frightening distances. Look at Rodrigo and De Bruyne yesterday that hardly stopped running. Look at Bernardo Silva and Sterling.

So you think the Brazilian stars would keep up with them on the pitch when it comes to marathon running.

Let us not talk of Liverpool where their is also pure madness.

Look at the shape of the 1970 squad. Most will not make the starting line up of City or Liverpool. Yes, including Pele because of the fitness requirement of the modern game. But, they won the World Cup.

Look at Gascoigne's shape and he was a starter in an English National team.

Starboytwo:
I have read for like 10 pages back and here are my submission...

Firstly we should try to be civil in expressing our ideas Biko, the last few days has seen a surge of attack on a particular monika, we should try abeg... If I meet anybody on this thread outside, I will hug the person, I swear.... This place is my number 1 club now...


2- the 2nd issue is about the old gen vs new gen, i have read arguments, seen different views which are all legit, but one thing stands out, and I have seen such occurrence in the larger scheme of things... Nobody mentions Ronaldo de Lima, in all this back and forth comparism... Why? Why? Why? Imo that guy is the greatest player I have seen, and I've watched quite a few players, is it skills? Is it goal scoring, is it what? But nobody mention that Man... Or have you guys forgotten who Ronaldo is, the true Ronaldo... I grew up watching that man...I can't remember how I got the CD, but I have a best of Ronaldo back then, I eat and sleep that CD...He was my idol, he was the perfect striker... For Brazil, for psv,for inter, for Barca, for Madrid... See resume... Pls let's us be guided abeg...

I alsa watched a couple of cruyff and that man was very very very good, highly technical, probably the best technical player I seen, he even invented a particular dribble, I think it was in the Euros, which I adopted and I still use it when I see the opening, it never fails, expecially if the defender is sleeping....

Maybe we should define the best players by their Era's instead... If not where we want put

Zidane
Ronaldinho

P.s my old man also told me Pele played in Nigeria one time like that, I don't know... But I know his favourite player, SEGUN ODEGBAMI... The only clips of him I have watched is the Nations cup in 80's...

Cc Thesupernerd, (na Carlos Alberto score that monster outside shot right?)
Cc Thegoodjoe

TheSuperNerd:
The 1970 Brazil team was one of the fittest teams I ever watched as far as that era was concerned.

And My goodness, Pele played football year in, year out for Santos and Brazil. This man played Copa Libertadores, Brazillian Serie A, Brazillian Cup games, still went on world tours with Santos and took on several of Europe's top clubsides beating most of them in the process. Pele and his Santos mates hardly tired so when it comes to fitness, he had it locked down. Power, fitness, and sound physical shape. Take into account that they didn't even have the technology the modern game has yet they played an insane number of games yearly.

So I disagree again that most won't star in this era.

Starboytwo:
There's another player i seen also, I think jairzinho or something, he came before Pele, they said he was very good if not better than Pele gan gan, a left winger, but alcohol and womanizing killed him prematurely,

Starboytwo:
There's another player i seen also, I think jairzinho or something, he came before Pele, they said he was very good if not better than Pele gan gan, a left winger, but alcohol and womanizing killed him prematurely,

TheGoodJoe:


You think those guys can match Sane or Mane in fitness? Or do you see how effortlessly Mo Salah runs at fast pace?

Do you read how CR7 train for hours to maintain his fitness? What about the revolutionary diet those guys are on?

Those Brazilians will not even come close.

Look at some Pictures of Sane. This is not power-power body but high grade fitness.

TheSuperNerd:
Yes. Na Carlos Alberto (operating as Right back) wey knack that thunderblaster in that 1970 final. Set up by Pele.

And on Ronaldo De Lima.... My brother, if I am to pick the greatest Number 9s to play the game... No doubt Ronaldo De Lima (R9) will be my number 1 pick. That guy was a Laboratory made Central Striker. Indeed he was the phenomenon.

TheSuperNerd:
Jairzinho played with Pele in 1970. You may refer to Vava and Garrincha. Pele was only 17 in 1958 when Garrincha was widely rated as the most delectably enchanting Dribbler in the world. Two footed dribbling wizard.

TheSuperNerd:
Upon all these ones... Fitness does not buy superior skills and finesse. Those Brazillians had that plus their stamina and fitness. These sane, salah and mane lads stand no chance abeg. No chance at all.

You tell me about CR7 as if I am new to football. Do you wonder how Pele maintained such high level still he retired? Have you wondered how hard he worked. Look at him now still looking fit.

Starboytwo:
I have read for like 10 pages back and here are my submission...

Firstly we should try to be civil in expressing our ideas Biko, the last few days has seen a surge of attack on a particular monika, we should try abeg... If I meet anybody on this thread outside, I will hug the person, I swear.... This place is my number 1 club now...


2- the 2nd issue is about the old gen vs new gen, i have read arguments, seen different views which are all legit, but one thing stands out, and I have seen such occurrence in the larger scheme of things... Nobody mentions Ronaldo de Lima, in all this back and forth comparism... Why? Why? Why? Imo that guy is the greatest player I have seen, and I've watched quite a few players, is it skills? Is it goal scoring, is it what? But nobody mention that Man... Or have you guys forgotten who Ronaldo is, the true Ronaldo... I grew up watching that man...I can't remember how I got the CD, but I have a best of Ronaldo back then, I eat and sleep that CD...He was my idol, he was the perfect striker... For Brazil, for psv,for inter, for Barca, for Madrid... See resume... Pls let's us be guided abeg...

I alsa watched a couple of cruyff and that man was very very very good, highly technical, probably the best technical player I seen, he even invented a particular dribble, I think it was in the Euros, which I adopted and I still use it when I see the opening, it never fails, expecially if the defender is sleeping....

Maybe we should define the best players by their Era's instead... If not where we want put

Zidane
Ronaldinho

P.s my old man also told me Pele played in Nigeria one time like that, I don't know... But I know his favourite player, SEGUN ODEGBAMI... The only clips of him I have watched is the Nations cup in 80's...

Cc Thesupernerd, (na Carlos Alberto score that monster outside shot right?)
Cc Thegoodjoe

TheGoodJoe:


It is not the same in any way and the current guys are getting fitter. Look at Haaland for instance who is on a strict fish/green diet. Those guys then would not come close.

They will not see ball.

TheGoodJoe:


I actually do not think Ronaldo de Lima would be that exceptional in this era unless he maintained a high level of fitness and tactical discipline. He was too individualistic as a player which is no-no in this era.

He relied a lot on his on-the-ball skills to triumph. Now it is all about clever use of space and quick use of time. Unless he would have to adjust his playing style.

TheGoodJoe:


Try it now. The player will gas on the pitch.

TheSuperNerd:
Again I disagree. A Haaland will not trump a Marco Van Basten.

Pele played at a crazy high level from the day he was unleashed upon world football still his retirement. How do you think he did such? If there was FIFA World Player of the Year in those days (sadly it began in 1991/92), Pele will likely win it 7-10 times. And if the Ballon Dor of those years also included players outside Europe taking into account the World Cup too... Pele will bag it back to back seven times or more. That is just how insanely talented and fit he was. This man played during the summer on world tours.... Hardly had a break, was almost always on the move around the world playing football and you say he won't survive today? Goodjoe, I am a scientist and I don't agree with your submission.

TheSuperNerd:
Yes. Na Carlos Alberto (operating as Right back) wey knack that thunderblaster in that 1970 final. Set up by Pele.

And on Ronaldo De Lima.... My brother, if I am to pick the greatest Number 9s to play the game... No doubt Ronaldo De Lima (R9) will be my number 1 pick. That guy was a Laboratory made Central Striker. Indeed he was the phenomenon.

TheGoodJoe:


I actually do not think Ronaldo de Lima would be that exceptional in this era unless he maintained a high level of fitness and tactical discipline. He was too individualistic as a player which is no-no in this era.

He relied a lot on his on-the-ball skills to triumph. Now it is all about clever use of space and quick use of time. Unless he would have to adjust his playing style.

Koboko99:


Antonio Cassano played the modern game and he was quoted saying he's slept with over 500 women during is playing career including room service ladies in hotels before going out to the pitch.

Koboko99:


The greatest number 9 ever. Ronaldo Nazario De Lima is pure class. I watched best of Ronaldo and later watched him in France 98. That man was in a world of his own. I remember how he cried so much the day he announced he was retiring from football.

TheGoodJoe:


Van Basten especially in the days of Milan had some revolutionary fitness ideas then but the current days, it is crazy.

I doubt Van Basten can cover the distances Haaland puts in on the field. Sorry, Van Basten can not cover the distances Haaland covers on the pitch. So I will not rate him above Haaland.

I have heard Gary Neville say he would not be able to cope with the level of discipline in this modern era.