I couldn't care less about Terry The Loon (after all he and his family been doing these past few years) winning it, but the two guys that very much deserved it were Lampard and Drogba. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good for them. And as for destiny, this was somewhat along the lines of us winning it in 2007.

Comparisons can be drawn on how it all went for Chelsea and us, and how little chance both teams were given.

Manuel Preciado dies of a heart attack 1 day after taking the Villarreal job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Yeah, I read it this morning. R.I.P. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Didn't know him but it's one of those tragic deaths. RIP

RIP. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

Pfft, that thing again. Because Xavi and Iniesta look oh so amazing when they play without Messi. It's only them making him look better, the opposite surely does not happen.

*not going to talk about this beyond this post, I just felt an urge to respond... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Was that meant to be sarcastic? Because yes, they are pretty damn amazing without him.

^^ They can't score the goals without him though. Messi needs them as much as they need him.

Really? Didn't you see Spain?

If Spain had Messi, they'd have won the World Cup with fewer 1-0's and also would've scored at least 2-3 games in each of their Euro games. the only game they looked impressive in scoring goals was against Ireland. I'm not going to count the final for obvious reasons.

Besides, I was in fact talking about Barca because last time I checked Messi doesn't play for Spain (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Argentina has Messi, and pound for pound the Argentinean team is as or more talented than Spain. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) I am talking about the big names, of course, and considering how strong Argentina NT was in the 2006 and 2010 edition, they surely should have made it to the finals, if not won the darned thing.

Moral of the story, Messi's performances in the National Team leave a lot to be desired. He's not bad there, just doesn't assert himself as much as the world expects him to be. Like a certain guy by the name of Maradona.

I disagree with the pound for pound bit. Plus the fact that the Argentinian FA is a very politicially clouded organization.

For me the three- Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are a trinity of sorts.

Can messi perform as well without Xavi and Iniesta? No.
Can Xavi perform as well without Messi and Iniesta? No.
Can Iniesta perform as well without Xavi and Messi? No.

So what? They're 3 top top players, and I wish Milan had something close to them in quality, chemistry and character.

That's why I said talent-wise, not in terms of overall productivity. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Personal judgment I know, but the big names of Argentina against the big names of Spain, in the last decade? Spain for me, will always come out just a notch behind. But they make up for it with their team chemistry and a more streamlined football association, like you said.

PS. It's politically. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Just saying, just saying!

I seem to remember Barca losing last season when Iniesta and Xavi were benched while Messi started, Messi didn't score. So it does happen and that's there to back it up.

Why do you say Iniesta and Xavi? Why not break down that component into just Iniesta and just Xavi.

Messi has been quite prolific when there was just Xavi and no Iniesta playing due to injury.

I also remember that Messi plays as a lone false-nine whose job is to score goals while Iniesta and Xavi have to provide.

I also remember that for Spain in Euro 2012, Both Xavi and Iniesta played without Messi and Spain scored nowhere near the amount of goals as Barca did. They didn't even threaten as much.

The 4-0 against Italy was with them having 10 men.

They are equal partners in a partnership with each having different responsibilities. To try to measure their contributions is quite pointless.