Let's dedicate this post to congratulate Lionel Messi, the best footballer on the planet at this moment and one of the best in history of the game (might be the best).

Messi is now the highest scorer in Spanish history with 336 goals at 26 years of age (406 appearances), bypassed Atletico's legend Telmo Zarra (335). Messi also on par with Real Madrid's legend Raul Gonzalez in La Liga with 228 goals (only Sanchez and Zarra to pass).

What a player! What a characteristic.

Congratulation, a living legend at age of 26. LIONEL MESSI

Felicitaciones El Pulga! Congratulations Leo!!

@DonAndres: lolz that goal is so typical Messi

Congratz , (not hating or anything) But imagine Messi playing in the EPL or the Serie A , will he be as good as at Barca?

^ If he was in Seria A, he would've scored well over 400 goals by now. :P

And he is only 26......

what a boss!

@Iraqi_Madrista don't start. You are always going on about how amazing Ronaldo is because of his goal/appearance ratio.

@Iraqi_Madrista: we never know, but he is in one of the best club in the world, one of the best city, living in an area where he can feel like in Argentina... why would he leave to anywhere else. Beside, most Spanish (style) players success in EPL (the other way around is quite rare). Not to mention, Messi have already proven himself in CL which is the most prestigious league in football world. I wish we could see some one like Messi in MU or in EPL so EPL would be the best league.

@tuan: It's not that rare.

McManaman, Beckham, Van Nistelrooy, Fabregas, Ronaldo, Modric, Bale, Mascherano, Henry, etc etc.

The difference is: only Barca and Real have been able to AFFORD the PL stars, because of how high the wages and market value is.

Players from La Liga to the PL have been making a splash in recent years, but, it's important to remember two things about that: a) the rich PL clubs have been buying the cream of the crop (Mata, Silva, Aguero, etc) produced by the excellent canteras, and b) for every success story there are a number of flops. For example: Swansea were arguably a better team (or, at least, better suited to the PL) before Laudrup brought in Spanish defenders (and where has Michu been?).

I'd argue that the success ratio has been pretty even in transfers between the two leagues; it's just that there are so many more purchases from Spain to England than the other way around, because of how expensive the players are, compared to simply making use of the cantera system to build your team on the cheap.

I've always said that if the income disparity between Barca & Real and the rest of the league was resolved, so that the rest of the league didn't have to sell their stars just to stay afloat, that La Liga really WOULD be the best in the world, by quite some distance. As it is? Their best talent just goes to either the Big 2, or overseas, to strengthen other leagues like the PL.

It sucks, but that's the way it is. :/

@Tuanji All this. +1

@Lodatz

Spot on mate.

@tuan , the CL is different. In the Serie A he wont survive for a couple of games because in Italy they play very aggresive and he must face very strong players just like in the EPL and Messi is a small thin guy who does not have much power but he has alot of pace and etc etc.

^ Like Milan defense ?

@Lodatz: I think Its still rare, mate. McManaman wasn't a total successful case, he had his sparkling and brilliant moment, but aside from that he was quite floppy. Beckham had also a considerable successful campaign despite the beginning conflict against Capello and showed the world how professional he was and what British could do, loved by a lot/most of RM fans when he left to LA. Van Nistelrooy, Fabregas was not a natural product of EPL.. the rest, you are right. However, except from those guys, very few English players were fit or qualified enough to play in La liga. That doesn't necessary mean La Liga was/is better.

Similar to your argument, most EPL players go to Liga are TOP TOP stars, while in the otherway around is true too, however for just decent Spanish players going to EPL they might be top/most important players of their team relatively. May be it's due to their style to bring dynamic to EPL football?

For Barca and Real and the rest of La Liga, its true that they bought a lot of good players and make the league imbalance. However, just to be fair there's a big different from Barca to Real, most of Barca's precious seed are from their own infamous La Masia. Real used to have that but not recently. This is happening to BUYernLiga this year.

Having said that, I think La Liga has a great number quality matches, but generally speaking EPL is the most competitive and entertaining matches.

@tiki_taka: thanks man

@Iraqi_Madridista: true, CL is different and in SeriA anyone can be brutally fouled at anytime. It seems a lot less now but still SeriA is SeriA, even C Rolando would have problem with that, actually even bigger than Messi as CR7 uses more strength and speed. It depends. What's Im saying is I dont think anyone who's in the right mind and in Messi situation would switch to anywhere else. it's personal choice though

@Tuan

Fabregas is EPL made. He was a scrawny kid with a passive playing style, and had to man up to the physical demands of the EPL. Remember when people were questioning if this 17/18 year old Spaniard was physically fit enough to succeed in the EPL? No one questioned his talent, only his physique. You'll note that other than Puyol, Cesc is the most physical player on Barca, and unlike some defenders on his team, Cesc can actually use his body to force other players off the ball and tackle properly.

@Tuan Thats exactly my point again. +1
@Dynast Sorry, its not true. Fabregas is not physical, he is not fast and never the strongest.
Even Adriano is more physical than him, Cesc plays the Spanish style. his stats on fifa 2014 :) ( not a strong argument but still )

67 Acceleration
65 Agility
77 Balance
68 Jumping
83 Reactions
68 Sprint Speed
74 Stamina
64 Strength

Comparing to Alexis Sanchez :

92 Acceleration
96 Agility
91 Balance
71 Jumping
90 Reactions
89 Sprint Speed
99 Stamina

Or Messi or any defender or defensive midlefielder, where did you see Fabregas with superior physical ? He is more known for his Spaniard touch of the ball than for his physique. And you dont need to have Ronaldos physique to be fit for EPL. Look at Oscar and Mata...
And whats happening to Ozil happened to him 2 years out of the last 3 he spent in Madrid. Last year Mourinho benched him many times because of his fitness problems.
Im not denying the fact EPL with this boxing day period is more demanding in term of fitness, but big Clubs in general play every 4 days with extra cups ( Copa, Super Cups, CL, EL, WC Club...etc), so with the right rotation, players can stay fit until the end of the year.

@Dynatian: I disagree. Fabregas was La Masia product, his style and skill was from there. He has never been a physical one, like you said he is a passer and great scorer too. But I do agree, EPL has made him a lot stronger and he developed most in EPL. Like Tiki_taka said, EPL player surely stronger, especially when it come to rush and run, but other players they have high agility and endurance too, there is no problem to compete.

@Tiki_taka: lollll sometimes I use Fifa and PES to refer to how player perform technically, it's true that it's not entirely legitimate argument but those numbers are based on FACT and EVALUATION, it's relevant.

Hats off to him, he became the best scorer and continues to shine even a long and painful injury.

@Tuan An objective view comming from a Manchester fan is welcome anyday in this forum :).
I was starting to lose hope, good to see you here :).