Category: 
The Starring Role [Model]
For a man who frequently struggles with his grasp of a football, David James has a far better grasp of reality than you might expect. Writing in his column for the Observer, James once explained that although Premier League footballers get paid what to us muggles are mind bogglingly unnecessary volumes of money, the remuneration isn’t just for playing football a couple of times each week, it’s for being a role model - a 365 day a year job with no holidays.
One of the main subplots to the Champions League Final between Barcelona and Man Utd is the battle of Messi and Ronaldo. Although the two belligerents will rarely come into direct combat, their contributions will have a huge impact on the fortunes of their respective teams. Moreover, for those of us more trigger-happy with our judgements, it will give us the chance to label one of them as the best player in the world and the other as a worthy second fiddle.
Before watching the final and adding the musings of James into the mix, it’s an accolade that must be awarded in favour of Messi. Even if it’s Ronaldo that leaves the indelible mark on this final, it is Messi that has enjoyed the finer season, is a better player and a more likeable human. His feet are dazzlingly quick and his vision panoramic. His breathtaking dribbling is augmented by a football brain that can spot and execute precise passes in an instant. The astonishing volume of goals and assists he contributed to Barcelona’s astonishing season is one thing, but the sheer level of attention that opponents are forced to allocate to limiting his influence opens up space for his team-mates. In the face of opponents’ butchery he seldom throws a tantrum and his respect for the club and his team-mates is obvious and unequivocal.
In terms of what he does on the pitch Ronaldo isn’t far behind and in terms of strength and aerial ability, superior, but it’s when the role model dimension is taken into account that he suffers. If you believe that the merits of a football player should be entirely based on his contributions during two ninety minute periods each week, then it may not bother you, but the off-shoot of football saturation is that however reluctant they may be to accept the tag, modern footballers are role models. The way in which players carry themselves when there isn’t a ball at their feet has always been important and in this respect Messi goes from being neck and neck with Ronaldo to head and shoulders above him.
On the pitch, Ronaldo isn’t the same threat as Messi. The Portuguese is undoubtedly brilliant, but rarely needs to be doubled up upon, particularly when faced with opponents astute enough to stand their ground and avoid ineffective lunges. As spectacular and memorable as his free-kicks can be, the success rate of them must be brought into question. With the cultured left foot of Giggs, the crisp ball striking of Scholes and of course the likes of Rooney and Tevez, the monopoly he has on free-kicks would seem to be a pandering to his ego. Of course, memorably a few go in, but I’m certain a few more would have gone in if the duties were more equitably portioned out. He moans when he doesn’t get a free-kick, he moans when he does get a free-kick and he has begun to kick out when he feels he is being harshly treated. Maybe without the words of Alex Ferguson bemoaning the treatment his star gets, referees would be more willing to treat it as the violent retaliation [as happened at Stoke] that it is rather than go along with the indulgence.
The culmination of this was the tremendous insult of storming off the pitch when claiming to be injured earlier in the season. He left the pitch at such velocity that you’d fear for opponents if he was ever fully fit. If he was injured, why not get some treatment or – if he felt the malady too severe to continue – at least occupy a space on the pitch whilst a replacement could be readied? The consequences of such petulance were surprisingly non-existent. Alex Ferguson made little of the show of disrespect to the club and why should he? For all his tactical acumen, shrewd business dealing and ability to motivate, one of Alex Ferguson’s main strengths is the ability to bend over and take it when a truly irreplaceable player undermines the club. The Chinese may describe it in more poetic terms along the lines of the grass bending in the storm, but whatever way it’s described, it’s a policy of indulgence that has ultimately helped United’s remarkable recent success.
Off the pitch, where exactly what is required to represent Man Utd is more vague, he leaves a lot to be desired. His recurring flirtation with Real Madrid disrespects the Man Utd jersey. Messi was also the subject of speculation regarding a move to the Bernabau. Maybe it’s because it’s we don’t get many Spanish tabloids over here or more likely because Messi instructed his agent to quash such speculation with immediate effect, but the loyalty and respect he has for Barca was clear and unambiguous. Ronaldo’s goals may mean fans are happy to chant his name, but this is clearly a man that doesn’t feel overly loyal to their fine club. On top of that, he has too frequently found his name on the front and gossip pages of the newspapers. Although some of it brought on by starlets looking to showcase their own substantial talents on the pages of Nuts, a fair chunk of it brought on they his less than role-model like behaviour.
And he dives.
Messi may well deaprt Rome without a winners medal, but in the personal duel with Ronaldo, he should already be considered the victor.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
As a united supporeter My heart says ronaldo.But I know Messi Is the better player you can’t get the ball of messi.He Is mesmerising to watch.But when he losses the ball he will work his socks off to get the ball back,unlike ronaldo he would rather throw his arms in the air as If he Is to good a player to chase back.Thats the diffrence. Take nothing away from ronaldo he is frightening.But messi is Scary.But Man United are a better squad Than Barcelona.Thats a Fact.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
yeah of course they are,their so good they are actually better than themselves,they are even better than better utd from bettersby.now let me out to get the gauks.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Lionel messi has never scored against an English club, too easily bullied off the ball by stronger more physical players from the premier league. probably will win the player of the year award but ronaldo will prove tomorrow how to be a role model by not buckling under the pressure, picking himself back up after nasty tackles and taking his chance when it comes. viva ronaldo
May 26th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Role models don’t roll around on the ground faking injury, or stamp the turf with there hands when memebers of the same team misplace a pass to him
May 26th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I think all the liverpool team should be role models (forget the gerrard incident)everyone of them (dont mention the gerrard incident)down to the kit man(dont mention the *removed* incident)Role models me Hole.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Very good analysis. I can just agree with Aidan.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:45 am
i’ve never understood why football players should be expected to be “role models” - it’s not their responsibility to set an example to children - that’s the job of their parents. never bought into that argument.
regarding messi and ronaldo. messi is clearly a fantastic player and a joy to watch, but ronaldo is the more all-round complete player. he can play on either flank, in the hole or as a main, lone striker - as he probably will tonight. he scores from close range, long range and is immense in the air in both attacking and defensive positions, plus you can no longer say he doesn’t do it in the big games. the all-round 21st century footballer.
messi on the otherhand has been fairly anonymous in 4 champions league semi-final matches in the last 2 seasons. i’m not saying he can’t do it in the biggest games - he surely can - it’s just that he hasn’t done it yet. maybe tonight will be his night, maybe next season, maybe next summer in south africa - who knows?
two fantastic players and tonight should be a joy to watch.
however i think the best two players in the world will have a bigger say on the match - rooney and iniesta.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:05 am
If Fergie thinks playing his Arsenal formation will do the same to Barca as it did to Arsenal, I think this could go spectaculary wrong.
Back the win for Barca @ 17/10 and have a punt on Henry for 1st goal @ 8/1.
Correct score tricky but I’ll tip Barca 2-0 or 2-1.
I think Utd’s luck finally runs out tonight. They won the league with some average performances towards the back end of the season and had a lot of narrow wins throughout. Yes they still did deserve the win the league as they won the most games and Liverpool drew far to many.
Lets hope for a great game of football.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:21 am
A Barca victory will be a victory for Football!
May 27th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This is the first proper team Man U have faced, if Liverpool can score 6 goals over two games against them, what will a proper forward line do?
May 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Totally agreee with most of the article Messi has natural football intelligence and his attitude to when he gets clattered is great just gets on with moral courage some might call it. Ronaldo can be summed up in many ways for his brillance and equally his petulance especially against Fulham this year with the reaction to his own players not doing what he thought was the correct thing to do with ball. Giggs and scholes with rooney in time will have a better legacy then him.
Betting predications Barca to have most of the ball and win in extra time.
Eto first goal yet to fire like he can no better time than tonight 17/2 and Vidic anytime with barca’s lack of aerial ability 11/1 anytime too.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:38 am
A red card in the game is a fair bet with so much attacking talent on the pitch @ 9/2
May 27th, 2009 at 11:48 am
tzm - to say that you don’t understand why footballers need to be role models exposes a paltry knowledge of the very purpose of sport. All the tin pots that get handed out are nice, but are in reality meaningless. the purpose of sport is to encourage children and society as a whole to take up athletic pursuits that will create a healthier generataion both physically and mentally and as a by-product the discipline and determination to become of value to society in other non-athletic areas.
It doesn’t really matter who wins the trophy tonight as long as people (most importantly children) feel inspired to go out and try it themsleves. They won’t all be Messis or Ronaldos, but they will enjoy the benefit of trying.
Of course parents need to be role models, but it’s only natural that kids will take inspiration from the stars they see on TV. Being a role model should be very important in how we view our athletes - go back to watching Soccer AM, you geezer.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
^^^^definitely a hippy^^^^
peace and love,
tzm
May 27th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We are all fooked if you let your kids watch Jordan or Jade Goody then aren’t we?
May 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Johnboy- regarding Ronaldo; “picking himself back up after nasty tackles”- You’re kidding me right? You would need a crane to pick this “role-model” up off the ground after a fair tackle. Messi may not have scored against an English club (YET) but it certainly does not mean he has not got the capability to do so. There are pretty poor strikers in Europe that have scored against an English club by just tapping it in from 20inches, does this put them ahead of Messi. Simple no is the answer. If you have not already guessed, I’m a Liverpool fan:).
May 27th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Henry has never scored against an English club in the CL in ten attempts, but we all know what he used to do for Arsenal against Man U and the rest of the Prem on a regular occurence
May 27th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Christiano ronaldo is 10 time better than messi. messi simply isnt strong enough for english defences. Man U will win by at least 3 goals.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Joe,
Get a grip ya maverick!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
messi is one of the most overrated players of our times, Ronaldo is clearly a better footballer, even if he isn’t a brilliant role model.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Messi is best footballer of the wholde, even if Barça will lose the final vs Manchester United.
But, athough missing : Marquez, Abidal Alves, Barça will beat Manchester United 3-2 with 2 goals of Lionel Messi.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I can take someone having the opinion that Ronaldo is a better player, even if they’d be more wrong than Gary Glitter opening his own Montessori school, but to say that he is ten times better than Messi or that the little Argentinian is the most over-rated player of our time proves little more than a lack of knowledge and understanding about the game. 23 goals in 31 La Liga games, 8 in 11 Champions League games and all at the age of 21. I’m not a fan of Ronaldo at all but I’d never deny that he is top quality, when he’s not acting like a petulant child that is.
Take whatever side you want in this one but anyone claiming Messi isn’t World class should avoid further embarassment and keep their tabloid fuelled opinions to themselves. Remember, just because it’s printed on the back pages of The Sun doesn’t make it true. I find watching football and forming my own opinion a far more rewarding option but each to their own.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Messi is the best player on this earth, futhermore barca will win the final, mancs are as bad at the back as barca, too many clubs lie down, at castle greyskull, and i’d fancy barcas attacking options more, barca 2-1
May 27th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
tight game tonight good to see the united fans getting refused entry with dodgey tickets. i remeber 2007 in athens when liverpool fans were getting turned away the united fans were mouthing about scouse scum. well there must be manc scum also. sorry staying on 3 for a while yet
May 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Ferguson seems to get a load of credit but his record in the CL is poor considering it’s only his third final in 17 years in Europe, considering he usually outspends 90% of the teams each year. I think it’s because he can’t bully the refs like he can at home. Tight game but Barca to come through
May 27th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
half way there ,nearly there ,almost there,thanks be to god.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Why is Rooney not playing?
May 27th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
wham bam thank you mam yahoo ronaldo better than Messi me hole yippee
May 27th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Messi never score against english opposition .WHAT A TIME TO START.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
This is a lesson!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
George Hamilton on RTE said man utd were missing something tonight. HOWARD WEBB maybe .
May 27th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Humility and class (Messi) have WON over the arogance and cash without the class (Ronaldo)!
Great for the football !
May 27th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Fergie is cracking up, bad team selection and got played off the park. Rafa has his card marked in the Prem, and now gone in Europe. Don’t be surprised if he quits
May 27th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
WHITE DEVILS
HOW MANY TIMES, NEED YEE BE TOLD- GET RID OF WHITE STRIP- PSYCHLOGICALLY IT DAMPENS Red Devils- I can’t ever remember United playing well in Euro White- The passing was a mess; the team subduded - where Was the RED of the Devils tonight
They let themselves down with effort tonight and gave the ABU’s an armoury of bullets to fire- HOWEVER
THANK YOU for another GREAT SEASON
May 27th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Patrick what a load of horse shite,thats as good as the time they couldnt see the ball.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
all the man u fans are in hiding,gone back into their closets .
May 27th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
They weren’t devils ! They were Fergie’s Angels
May 27th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
paul take a dive you might not get this chance again for a long time ,slate the bastards.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Great to see all of the nonsense spouted by the tabloids and on here turned on its head tonight, there can be little argument that the best team won and only Utd fans with a degree of humility will come on here and admit that - I don’t expect that many will!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:12 am
doll bag did you sit on your computer the whole time of the champions league final? that says it all about you . still a bit to go yet fergie stay on 3 cups for a while yet.
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
May 28th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Patrick - against Juventus 1999, what alame effort at an excuse
May 28th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I have to agree with Patrick! As soon as i saw united coming out in the white strip i knew things weren’t gonna go our way…
As for juventus 1999… we wore red you absolute tool you!
May 28th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Well done Barca and hopefully some of you joined me in the backing the win @ 17/10 along with the correct score of 2-0 as predicted. I did miss out on the 1st scorer but I’ll live with that.
Utd got the just deserves last night and I for one really enjoyed watching the shambolic performance of one Mr Rio Ferdinand. Oh and watching there faces as they watched Barca hold the trophy aloft….Priceless.
May 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Decent call Tom, I didn’t follow you in, but credit where it is due
May 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
isn’t it amazing how the united fans are turning on the team after 1 poor performance? every team has games like that. one minute they are the worlds best the next they are questioning fergusons tactics. how about supporting your team who have just won the league and not think yous have a devine right to win trophies. the prawn sandwiches dont taste that good today.hahahahahahahahaha. lfc still 2 ahead doubt if fergie will be around long enough to catch up now.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
patrick the reason united wore white was either their red or blue kit would have clashed with the barca top, dont blame the top mate just a rare poor performance
May 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I’m surprised that haven’t blamed the weather yet
May 28th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
barcelona werent the only team to rip united to pieces this season, liverpool totally destroyed them at old trafford ,united fans i see problems ahead. liverpool are now closing the once massive gap and will once again dominate the english and european game.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Tis I now why they wore White on night. lost the toss, alas, I sayeth, United need to get rid from kit select altogether; OR at very least put a big RED DEVIL on back; they have always flopped in Euro White
See what happened years back, when at half-time they changed kit because they coludn’t see each other in premiership grey;-) (Premiership, thats what it’s called now, well, for a good few years)
May 28th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Liverpool win at Old Trafford, was largely in part due to United errors; not being outplayed- last night, they were out played, due to poor team selection and tactics and lack of effort/direction;
Twas a bad night at the office; we all get them; still a great drama filled season
May 28th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
PATRICK PATRICK PATRICK why did you ever hear the saying (there is none so blind as those who dont want to see)
May 29th, 2009 at 9:38 am
doll bag your wisdom takes my breath away.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
First- Half : Pretty Even - should have been level at half-time, Barca goal against the run of play, Bad defending from Vidic and van der saar should have saved that. chances and possesion about equal here.
Second-Half : Barcelona showed why they are an Excellent side, Iniesta even outshone Messi. They kep’t the ball well. On Balance 2-0 was about right. Man United lacked ideas esp in the final third. Defending poor on the goal. Good finish from messi. Barcelona had more chances here and passed the ball really well.
United had quite a lot of the ball, they were not so much outpassed or outplayed just outthought. Could have done with a linkman to the front players like a sheringham or a raging spartacus hughes to worry the barcelona defence. ROONEY? if anything missing marquez and alves was a blessing for them. Neither of them are good defenders. rooneys crossing was poor, why is he playing in 3 different positions? so much running never played his own type of football Man United seemed to lack their usual fight also - needed a snarling midfielder to get in the faces of the barcelona midfield. park is average, anderson mistake prone. carrick can be better. Ronaldo was probably our best player. Busy enuf, wish he had more support. He is World Class and EVERYONE knows it - they just don’t like admitting it. Notice how the King of Spain - A Real fan was looking at him for a long time. lol
One thing anyways - at least Man United did not put 7 men in the penalty box like chelsea or what liverpool would probably have done - it ruins the game although it nearly worked for chelsea.
Congratulations to MUFC for a Good season - another League Title, a lil inconsistent at times and there were a few cracks in the side as can be seen against inter and porto at old trafford and that team from down the road who could never play like barcelona in a million years - is so senor benitez? - Credit to the winners - they have Quality and are a positive attacking side. Look at their players in the international scene - Titles everywhere - Euros, World Cups, African Nations, even Olympics won etc. Spains best 2 players - sorry torres : Xavi and Iniesta. Did not like play acting from puyol and messi - messi a diver!?? get ur haircut puyol. Awful Mullet. Also - first final we have lost in Europe. Our 100% success rate is gone but nothing lasts forever. 2 FULL YEARS UNBEATEN IN EUROPE - How many sides can say that???
Congrats to ALL Supporters of Man United and Barcelona - at the game and outside - Great spirit and mutual respect for each other. OK - have had enuf ofthe barcelona songs at match and airport.
OK - just finally - who were those MUPPETS on the ryanair flight back to Dublin - what a fuckin DISGRACE - ok some humour is fine but for nearly 3 Hours they kept talking SHITE!
Obviously they were abus of somekind but the ones on day realise from armagh or some Godforesaken place i’d say. rotten apples! better still muzzle them. Never heard such rapid CRAP in all my life.
Well that’s about it - Roll on 2010 and another League Title - NANANANINTETEEEEEEEN , Hope we can make final in Madrid - Kaka - glad u ignored city NOW come to THE MANCHESTER TEAM - UNITED UNITED UNITED.