Why does Messi needs to win a major tournament in order to be compared to Pele and Maradona?

[pastro243]

Scisca said:

pastro243 said:

I don't think that is the case, South Americans value Copa América a lot.

The 2007 one doesn't strike Messi hard since he was still young and that Brazil was unstopable, but the 2011 one in Argentina and the final he couldn't win last year did hit hard in his legacy. Masche said it hurt more to lose Copa América final than the world cup one. 

Yeah, I know, but for me Copa is nothing more than just consolation, while Euro is on par with World Cup. After watching yesterday's game I really can't value Copa on par with Euro. Even granted that this Euro is worse than previous ones, since they added more teams and lowered the overall level. Still, Chile - Colombia was... arrghh. The complete lack of discipline, carelessness, freestyle defence, the refereeing - it's just not the same. No wonder that only one team from outside of Europe has won a medal in the last 3 World Cups (2nd place Argentina). I have no idea how it is that these players play top level in European clubs, but once they go play for the national teams, they go crazy like that.

@all the people who say it's a team sport - sure, but Messi is no Gheorghe Hagi or Christo Stoiczkow, who were incredible players, but had nobody to play with on their teams. Messi is great and has a badass team of prime talents around him. We have to expect his team finishing the way they did in the last World Cup and always being at the very top. There are no excuses for his earlier underachievements (cause 2nd place at WC is a great achievement). He has a great team and should be able to carry them to the top.

Man, all conmebol teams except for Ecuador made it out of their groups in the world cup. Uruguay kicked out Italy and England, Chile did it with euro and worldcup champions spain. In the round of 16 Brazil beat Chile and Colombia did it with Uruguay, then Brazil beat Colombia. Besides, the last 3 confederations cup have been won by Brazil.

Fifa rankings don't mean much but there you have that half the top 10 are conmebol teams.

 

I agree that Copa América is on a lower step than euro, but euro isn't on par with the world cup if you are missing conmebol teams and all those great players (at least 3 of the top 5)