Casciavit wrote:Great work Harmonica. I'm surprised you have Messi 2022 lower than Messi 2014. Messi in 2014 was more active from a statistical perspective, but his intangibles in 2022 were at a higher level.

For me this Argentina was just the better team, getting more out of Messi. WC14 Messi had to do most of the advancing himself, and although Lautaro was channelling Higuain, there was no good midfield, nor an Alvarez type of player there. And Argentina in WC14 was still just a Higuain 1on1 or off-side goal away from the title, the chances which Messi actually helped to create.

if the WC was in 2012 (generally considered his peak year) would Messi's Argentina have won it?

El Gunner wrote:if the WC was in 2012 (generally considered his peak year) would Messi's Argentina have won it?

I would say probably, Sabella had already taken over, and the team was clicking. Messi was insane back then prior the injury, scored the second most goals that year for Argentina too, including insane hat-trick against Brazil.

Mbappe WC22 is an all-time great performance. From attacking perspective he was very important part of the team, part of 13/16 goals and also scored in a SO.

Comparison to Messi 22 is easy to make, and it's simply not as good. Importance, and scoring efficiency are pretty close, but Messi was a better playmaker, actually also defended, and was better in four rounds to two including the heads-up in the final. Mbappe is probably the first player I've watched, that didn't participate in defending at all. Had zero attempted tackles, blocks and interceptions the whole tournament. The same comparison applies to Jairzinho 70, and I'm going to give edge for Cruyff 74 and Robben 14 too.

Putting it together with Forlan 10 now, as Forlan was more efficient scorer, but also didn't advance the game as much through dribbling.


World Cup performance index, considering statistics, the best (and worst) plays, importance and relation of quality of opposition and own team. Color highlighted as golden, silver, bronze ball, or not in Top 3.

1.
Maradona 86
Messi 14
3.
Kempes 78
Messi 22
5.
Jairzinho 70
6.
Cruyff 74
Robben 14
8.
Forlan 10
Mbappe 22
10.
Romario 94
11.
Eusebio 66
Pele 70
Rossi 82
14.
G.Müller 70
Schillaci 90
Suker 98
17.
Charlton 66
Modric 18
Ronaldo 02
20.
Ronaldo 98
21.
Zidane 06