Messi brings football magic to the wilds

goldenHuddlestone · 07-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Sweltering Puerto Ordaz, lying halfway between the Caribbean coast and the Amazon jungle in the heart of Venezuela's savannah, is not noted for being one of international soccer's great venues.

On Wednesday, however, the remote, riverside town witnessed a rare moment of football magic when Lionel Messi stamped his indelible mark on the Copa America with a sublime goal.

Picking up a short pass from Carlos Tevez on the right, Messi spotted Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez off his line and chipped the ball delicately over him from the edge of the area.

The goal, the second in Argentina's 3-0 semi-final win over Mexico, was arguably the best goal of the tournament and one of the best scored this year anywhere.

It signalled a great transformation for Messi, who only a year ago sat forlornly on the bench as Argentina lost to Germany on penalties in the World Cup quarter-final in Berlin.

It was also a fitting reward for the Venezuelan organisers who have invested in state-of-the-art stadiums for an event where, in recent editions, facilities have often been basic.

The Venezuelan government has spent an estimated $1 billion, building three stadiums from scratch and refurbishing another six beyond recognition, to bring the Copa to what is primarily baseball territory.

The Cachamay stadium where Messi scored his goal was, until recently, a humble arena with no terraces behind the goal, where the tropical sun beat down on hapless fans.

When Brazilian pair Ronaldinho and Kaka announced earlier this year that they would not take part because they were too tired, it was feared that other top players would follow suit and the tournament would become a damp squib.

Their decision seemed typical of an era in which top players ply their trade almost exclusively in Europe, leaving regions such as Latin America and Africa to act as nothing more than providers of raw material.

So, the decision of Argentina to bring a full complement of players was greeted with great enthusiasm by the Venezuelan public.

Messi, in particular, has been greeted rapturously every time he appears on the pitch.

Wednesday's goal, almost inevitably, sparked a war of superlatives among the media and led to comparisons with Diego Maradona.

"The Maradona of the 21st century scored an anthological goal," said the Argentine sports daily Ole.

La Nacion described it as "a magic touch" and wrote: "On Sunday, Argentina will have to show against Brazil (in the final) that they are the best team in the Copa America."

Argentina coach Alfio Basile quickly played down comparisons with Maradona, who never won the Copa America as a player.

"His career has just got off the ground and you can never compare Diego's career with a boy who is starting out," he said.

"The only thing the coaches should do is not inhibit him in the slightest, we have to let him fly."

Matt the Thrasher · 07-13-2007, 05:50 PM

It certainly was a special goal

goldenHuddlestone · 07-14-2007, 04:58 PM

such a talented player

t3azn_u · 07-14-2007, 06:11 PM

he's the undisputed man who "BRINGS THE DRINKS", thats what we call him down here

toonmagic9 · 07-15-2007, 01:07 PM

i think we have now witnessed the new maradonna in action, i think he will be better than ronaldhinio and poss better maradonna himself

1NVDABO · 07-24-2007, 12:01 PM

Believe when I say, He will be better than Maradonna

goldenHuddlestone · 07-24-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t3azn_u

he's the undisputed man who "BRINGS THE DRINKS", thats what we call him down here

why

Matt the Thrasher · 07-28-2007, 10:07 AM

YouTube - Lionel Messi - 1993

Found this video on you tube of Lionel Messi aged 5

The quality isn't very good but you can see he was already showing silky skills & he was already taking a few hefty tackles as well.

Messi is the red no10

goldenHuddlestone · 07-28-2007, 11:46 AM

Just wait untill Tottenham buy him

Matt the Thrasher · 07-28-2007, 12:55 PM

Joking aside I think Tottenham would be perfect for Messi , you could really challenge for the title with him in the team , shame it won't happen.

R_9-Ronaldo · 07-29-2007, 03:30 PM

more likely United buy him than Tottenham or even Liverpooh

toonmagic9 · 07-29-2007, 10:11 PM

i'm surprised west ham haven't bid for him yet but if he was to move to england it will be to either man u or chelsea

Matt the Thrasher · 07-30-2007, 09:07 AM

I think thats right , but I reckon Spurs would suit his style of play better but as I said it'll never happen

goldenHuddlestone · 07-30-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Thrasher

I think thats right , but I reckon Spurs would suit his style of play better but as I said it'll never happen

i would actually burst

07-13-2007, 03:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,647 vCash: 480	Messi brings football magic to the wilds Sweltering Puerto Ordaz, lying halfway between the Caribbean coast and the Amazon jungle in the heart of Venezuela's savannah, is not noted for being one of international soccer's great venues. On Wednesday, however, the remote, riverside town witnessed a rare moment of football magic when Lionel Messi stamped his indelible mark on the Copa America with a sublime goal. Picking up a short pass from Carlos Tevez on the right, Messi spotted Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez off his line and chipped the ball delicately over him from the edge of the area. The goal, the second in Argentina's 3-0 semi-final win over Mexico, was arguably the best goal of the tournament and one of the best scored this year anywhere. It signalled a great transformation for Messi, who only a year ago sat forlornly on the bench as Argentina lost to Germany on penalties in the World Cup quarter-final in Berlin. It was also a fitting reward for the Venezuelan organisers who have invested in state-of-the-art stadiums for an event where, in recent editions, facilities have often been basic. The Venezuelan government has spent an estimated $1 billion, building three stadiums from scratch and refurbishing another six beyond recognition, to bring the Copa to what is primarily baseball territory. The Cachamay stadium where Messi scored his goal was, until recently, a humble arena with no terraces behind the goal, where the tropical sun beat down on hapless fans. When Brazilian pair Ronaldinho and Kaka announced earlier this year that they would not take part because they were too tired, it was feared that other top players would follow suit and the tournament would become a damp squib. Their decision seemed typical of an era in which top players ply their trade almost exclusively in Europe, leaving regions such as Latin America and Africa to act as nothing more than providers of raw material. So, the decision of Argentina to bring a full complement of players was greeted with great enthusiasm by the Venezuelan public. Messi, in particular, has been greeted rapturously every time he appears on the pitch. Wednesday's goal, almost inevitably, sparked a war of superlatives among the media and led to comparisons with Diego Maradona. "The Maradona of the 21st century scored an anthological goal," said the Argentine sports daily Ole. La Nacion described it as "a magic touch" and wrote: "On Sunday, Argentina will have to show against Brazil (in the final) that they are the best team in the Copa America." Argentina coach Alfio Basile quickly played down comparisons with Maradona, who never won the Copa America as a player. "His career has just got off the ground and you can never compare Diego's career with a boy who is starting out," he said. "The only thing the coaches should do is not inhibit him in the slightest, we have to let him fly."

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07-13-2007, 05:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Matt the Thrasher Admin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Figueira da Foz ,Portugal Posts: 3,244 vCash: 379	It certainly was a special goal The boys of NYPD choir still singing Galway Bay.

07-28-2007, 10:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Matt the Thrasher Admin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Figueira da Foz ,Portugal Posts: 3,244 vCash: 379	YouTube - Lionel Messi - 1993 Found this video on you tube of Lionel Messi aged 5 The quality isn't very good but you can see he was already showing silky skills & he was already taking a few hefty tackles as well. Messi is the red no10 The boys of NYPD choir still singing Galway Bay.

07-28-2007, 12:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
Matt the Thrasher Admin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Figueira da Foz ,Portugal Posts: 3,244 vCash: 379	Joking aside I think Tottenham would be perfect for Messi , you could really challenge for the title with him in the team , shame it won't happen. The boys of NYPD choir still singing Galway Bay.

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07-14-2007, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,647 vCash: 480	such a talented player

07-14-2007, 06:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
t3azn_u New Signing Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27 vCash: 500	he's the undisputed man who "BRINGS THE DRINKS", thats what we call him down here

07-15-2007, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
toonmagic9 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,744 vCash: 465	i think we have now witnessed the new maradonna in action, i think he will be better than ronaldhinio and poss better maradonna himself

07-24-2007, 12:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
1NVDABO First Team Regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 47 vCash: 500	Believe when I say, He will be better than Maradonna

07-28-2007, 11:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
goldenHuddlestone Admin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,647 vCash: 480	Just wait untill Tottenham buy him

07-29-2007, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
R_9-Ronaldo Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 429 vCash: 500	more likely United buy him than Tottenham or even Liverpooh

07-29-2007, 10:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
toonmagic9 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,744 vCash: 465	i'm surprised west ham haven't bid for him yet but if he was to move to england it will be to either man u or chelsea

07-30-2007, 09:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Matt the Thrasher Admin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Figueira da Foz ,Portugal Posts: 3,244 vCash: 379	I think thats right , but I reckon Spurs would suit his style of play better but as I said it'll never happen The boys of NYPD choir still singing Galway Bay.

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