In a debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, it is often discussed whether Messi can succeed somewhere else than La Liga. While his Portuguese counterpart has played in the Premier League, La Liga and now plying his trade in Serie A. However, the Messi fans can come back with his statistics against English teams in Europe. The Argentine has enjoyed great success in those games. He was on target both times against Manchester United in the Champions League finals on 2009 and 2011. While his four goals against Arsenal are considered one of the best ever individual performances in the tournament.
As per Opta, Messi has scored 26 goals against top English sides in Europe. Still there is considered doubt among the football fans whether the Argentine can cope up with life in the entirety of the Premier League. In February this year, former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit claimed that the 32-year old is not made for England’s top tier football.
What Petit Said About Lionel Messi?
“Honestly, I do not think he is suited to the intensity of England,” Petit was quoted saying in a recent interview, by the Mirror.
“He does not like being closed down and being fought. In Spain, he is protected.”
However, in Messi’s support, former FC Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has come up with statistics against English teams to prove the Frenchman wrong.
Taking this debate to Twitter Lineker replied to Petit by commenting “absolute guff” on his opinions. Everyone has a right to their opinion for sure. However, Linekar had something else to say. He did not agree with what Petit had said.
How Linekar Responded-
“22 goals in 30 games against the strongest six teams in English football,” Lineker wrote.
“Absolute guff to suggest he would not have destroyed teams here. He is also as strong as an ox…..make that a goat.”
There are high chances that we may never see Lionel Messi in the Premier League. Maybe not even for any other European club other than Barcelona. The little magician turns 33 in June this year and he will look to spend his final peak years at the Blaugrana and later wished to end his career at his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.
“I always said I wanted to play in Argentine football one day, I do not know if it will happen but I have it in my mind,” he said in 2018, per the Independent.
“It would be at Newell’s, nowhere else. I would like to do that for at least six months, but you never know what will happen.”
Messi has achieved almost everything in football. He has written and re-written multiple records in the beautiful sport. If you still feel that he could not do it on a windy night in England, then you probably have not seen him enough over these years.
Well, it seems that Petit is on the side of the English club and league. He is more of a team Ronaldo maybe, rather than Messi. The debate on who is the best player in the world has gone on for years now. There is no concrete answer so far. Hence, let’s put this debate to bed and hope that both players continue to amaze us in the years to come.
