Icardi vs Messi: a champion's mentality

Watching the derby today i was super impressed with icardi. The way he was trying to press 3 defenders on his own, screaming at other midfielders to get forward, it was a true captain's performance. And it was in stark contrast to the performance of another argentine against roma, This gentleman was skulking around like a wimp when the going got tough, not forcing the issue at all and fading out of the game. I hope Messi fanboys can understand why some argentines will always put Maradona above messi. Mentalities of guys like Maradona and Icardi can captivate the whole team in pressure situations. The whole team naturally looks to its talisman in these situations, and when that guy looks like he cant give a fvck it's a huge drawback.

just read the title and that was enough for an upvote

Icardi has so much champions mentality that he's not even champion of anything.

Messi is not a leader, i think that's pretty obvious to everyone, it's definitely one quality he doesnt have. he hid in the shadows of puyol, xavi for a long time.

Messi is the defintive leader of all-time, and it's not even remotely close. Has carried Barcelona what, now a decade like Maracoca did once in Napoli. And achieved far better results with Argentina who couldn't even qualify for WC without him.

There is a BIG difference to being a great player and being a leader!

While most will acknowledge Messi is a great player, when in this world has Messi ever exhibited any leadership qualities?

Harmonica wrote:Messi is the defintive leader of all-time, and it's not even remotely close. Has carried Barcelona what, now a decade like Maracoca did once in Napoli. And achieved far better results with Argentina who couldn't even qualify for WC without him.

being a leader has nothing to do with how good of a footballer player you are, so i am not surprised you dont understand the difference between both here.

Argentina have been without a leader since Zanetti? they haven't had a real charismatic captain in a long time.

Messi has already won everything, he doesn't care anymore

Perhaps he will try harder with Argentina but even then he most likely won't win the WC anyway and he knows it.

a coach like Pep would be able to motivate him but a flaccid bum like Valverde is not one to motivate anyone.

can't blame Messi, so many years at this level and so many trophies, you kinda get bored after a while.

Mr Nick09 wrote:

Harmonica wrote:Messi is the defintive leader of all-time, and it's not even remotely close. Has carried Barcelona what, now a decade like Maracoca did once in Napoli. And achieved far better results with Argentina who couldn't even qualify for WC without him.

being a leader has nothing to do with how good of a footballer player you are, so i am not surprised you dont understand the difference between both here.

Argentina have been without a leader since Zanetti? they haven't had a real charismatic captain in a long time.

You have no idea what leading is, if you think shouting to players or looking like a twat at sidelines is leading.

Argentina competitive match history per captain

67% win, Messi 28-9-5 in 42 matches, 3x final
59% win, Maradona 20-7-7 in 34 matches, title, final, 3rd, 4th, round 16
42% win, Mascherano 10-6-8 in 24 matches, 2x quarter-final



Higuain scores one of those and Messi is a leader? I've never seen anyone achieving the kinds of results Messi has got for such poor players and systems.

again, being a charismatic leader has nothing to do with win percentages and the fact that you bring it shows how clueless you are. it's ok, not like we did not know it already.

The fact however that you are a barca fan, have been through years of Puyol being your leader, and you still dont understand what "leading" means is another example that you dont understand football. Again, something we all knew already, but it's nice to see nonetheless.

Messi leads with example, takes all the blame from every loss and still carries his teams like a champion he is. Talking to you is a complete waste of time because you think leader is only defined by charisma, charisma that only suits your views.

Oh leading by example is fine, but 1) no one can do what messi does 2) he does not work hard on the pitch at all, no extra effort, he is actually lazy. so what example is he showing to the other guys?

queue youtube clips to show messi making some useless recovery run lmao

Call me when Messi gets injured and stays pitchside, outcoaches his own coach and spurs his team to win a championship, ill wait

Considering Messi plays more games than anyone else, including needing to fly SA to NT games, is team marked every game more than anyone has ever been, yet still produces more quality and advances the game most by dribbles and quality passes, he probably works more than anyone else. Or by work you mean players like Pedro's and such who run back and forth in one game and skips the next? Wonderful leaders them.

Kaladin wrote:Call me when Messi gets injured and stays pitchside, outcoaches his own coach and spurs his team to win a championship, ill wait

Messi will never look like a twat and steal the glory from his team mates, so I'll never call you.