[alex_front2]

Messi is from the era of modern money incentive. Given his past phyiscal issues with his legs in his youth this is even more remarkable. Sure he's a natural talent as we all know, the pace, power, intelligence, finishing, dribbling, vision, dead balls, off ball movement etc. But surely someone someone someone else in the whole football world must have these qualities. Neymar has been brilliant this season, especially when Messi was out "injured" *cough tax evasion cough*. But he's still no way near Messi at his best.

But it can't all be about money demotivating young players or being robbed of ambition by lucrative contracts surely. What about middle class players? Vialli apparently grew up in a castle, Gerard Pique's dad one of Spain's top lawyers, his mother a spinal injury expert, Frank Lampard Senior ensured Junior went to private school. Spurs goalie Hugo Lloris mum is a lawyer and dad is a hedge fund manager. So not all players are perilously poor looking for a route out of poverty nor shameless mercenaries. What about the player's drive for continuous improvement, the will to be the best for nothing other than selfish personal pride. If I were a player I'd hate to see Messi/Ronaldo slug it out for Balon D'or and not myself. It's too simplistic to say Messi is natural ability v Ronaldo's work rate and determination to be the best. Ronaldo has god given gifts but he did spend hours honing these. Even tyranical Sir Alex said Ronaldo worked too hard. Sir Alex!?!

We need more players who not only want to win titles but compete to be the best a player can be.