It all started with RaDiuM's message on BigSoccer forum.
💭 "Robinho - Brazilian - Real Madrid. Messi - Argentinian - FC Barcelona. It seems like there'll be a huge rivalry between who's better, should be an exciting season, the personal ad writes itself: young Brazilian, young Argentinian, one at Barca and the other in Madrid. So vote who you think will turn out to be the better player."
💭 laudrup: "Until Messi plays top-flight and international football with some regularity, this is a pointless question."
💭 forcamadrid: "Exactly. You cannot compare Messi to Robinho at the moment."
💭 astabooty: "I think Robinho is greatly overrated. I think if he played solely as a winger he would be very good, but I do not rate him that highly as a forward. Messi IMO is a better all-around player. I think Messi is good at more things than Robinho, such as creating chances for others, but Robinho is better overall."
💭 mak9: "Compare Messi with Kerlon [former Cruzeiro talent who failed to shine in Europe], Robinho is just much more experienced."
💭 lizardking: "I doubt Messi can make it at Barca. These years, a lot of good young Argentina players with high expectations fell at Barca. Saviola, Riquelme. They are now first-team international players but just can't find a position in Barca."
As a result, Robinho produced no miracles at Real Madrid, was nothing special at Manchester City and wasn't really remarkable in the national team.
As for Messi... Well, the difference is obvious.
