Germany vs Argentina: Mesut Ozil or Lionel Messi ?

Lionel Messi vs Mesut Ozil

Besides all the bad mouthing and war of words that has preceded the Argentina vs Germany match in the world cup quarter finals, there are slight murmurs that have compared Germany ‘s Mesut Ozil to Lionel Messi.

Messi is arguably the World’s best player. Mesut Ozil is definitely the find of the tournament along with his team-mate Mueller. The comparisons between Ozil and Messi are unfair and uncalled for. Whereas, Messi has proven his credentials at the club level by winning almost everything with Barcelona, he is also to be credited for playing the biggest part in these successes.

Such heavy praise on Ozil is undeserved and exaggerated at this point in time.

Diego Maradona does not even identify with many of the younger German players

Messi has been criticized for under-performing in white and sky blue for Argentina. This claim has found a ready favor with pundits who like to find glitches in players who approach the perfect. Messi is one such player. Not just pundits players of the likes of Danny Alves have pointed this out, “With all respect to the players in Argentina, there is no comparison between the two. At Barcelona, he has players of his level.”

The allegation seems more of a below the belt hit at other Argentina players instead of a logically reasoned out comment. The idea of Argentina players standing in no comparison to that of Argentina is outrageous. At the international level, every player comes from a champion side – may it be Messi from Barcelona, Higuain from Real Madrid or Demichelis from Champions League finalists Bayern Munich.

It is true that Messi bears the burden of a nation’s hopes in the world cup, but we all are aware that club football is no less demanding these days. With three games a week and the amount of travel: Big players like Messi have become big players by handling such jaw breaking pressure.

It is also foolish to say that Messi does not have enough support at Argentina and that is indicated clearly by the number of goals scored by Tevez and Higuain in this tournament. Messi was the architect of all these goals.

Ozil is a player who would be my personal choice for the young player of the tournament. He has been a great find for Germany and his performance has been no less a contribution for Germany than that of Messi for Argentina. But Ozil is yet to prove his merit as a footballer at the club level, in Europe’s biggest competition and elsewhere in spite of his miraculous efforts in the Germany jersey. He is young and he has time and his potential is unmatched in Germany and around the globe. Clubs like Barcelona and Arsenal have already stretched out to him.

Barcelona in fact have allegedly offered Werder Bremen a switch deal for Ozil in which Bremen will have Alexander Hleb and a handsome cash price immediately plus they will get to keep Ozil on loan to complete his contract at Bremen that ends next year. So much so to deny clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid a chance to pursue the 21 year old. Ozil has expressed his desire to join Barcelona someday. Ozil has his feet set firmly on the ground for now.

Ozil has openly denied the comparisons that have pitted him against Messi, “My dreams are the same as any kid and that is to be the best footballer in the world, I’m only 21, so such ambitions will have to wait for some time yet, but I have already played against many of the top players in the world and I enjoy that challenge.”

Ozil has an attitude that will certainly be suited to the best player of the world once he develops with time.

For the moment both Ozil and Messi have their hands full of world cup action as their team, Germany and Argentina, will face each other on July the 2nd.

The day in history

Many have not forgotten that match of world cup 2006. Argentina had played Germany in the quarter finals in the last edition as well. Germany went on to win the match and a spot in the semi finals as a result. We will know soon if times have changed, soon.

The match was a very exciting one as Argentina took the lead through a headed goal by Ayala in the 49th minute of the game. Argentina were looking to proceed until the 80th minute when a curling balll from Michael Ballack brushed Borowski’s head before being fired in by Klose to equallise the scores.

Germany and Argentina were locked at the end of extra time at 1-1. They proceeded on to the penalty shootout which was a disaster for Argentina as Jens Lehmann stopped two penalties to kick out Argentina out of the world cup.