Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney...Robin van Persie?

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is in the best form of his career. So far this season, he has bagged 11 goals in 13 goals in 16 games across all competitions including 11 goals in 12 English Premier League games.

Such is the Dutchman's phenomenal run of form over the last 12 months that many analysts are now comparing Van Persie to his contemporaries; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

But how do these favourable comparisons hold up?

Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United : Highlights From the 2011 Champions League Final

Barcelona, inspired by the magnificent Lionel Messi, has beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League Final in Wembley tonight. But in truth, La Blaugrana destroyed the Premier League champions in one of the most one sided finals of all time.

The game saw four fantastic goals scored as Pedro and Wayne Rooneyexchanged efforts before Lionel Messi and an inspirational goal by David Villa gave Barca the trophy their dominance and play deserved.

Beautiful Barcelona and Mesmerising Messi Give Man Utd a Lesson in Football

Barcelona, inspired by the magnificent Lionel Messi, has beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League Final in Wembley tonight. But in truth, La Blaugrana destroyed the Premier League champions in one of the most one sided finals of all time.

The game saw four fantastic goals scored as Pedro and Wayne Rooney exchanged efforts before Lionel Messi and an inspirational goal by David Villa gave Barca the trophy their dominance and play deserved.

Lionel Messi: Comparing The World's Best Player to Legends Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano, and Cruyff

Lionel Messi has many devotees. The 23-year-old Barcelona forward is undoubtedly the most talented player on the planet, but how does he rank against the greats of the game?

Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho Left Embarrassed By Barcelona Champions League Defeat

Barcelona beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last night thanks to two sublime goals from Lionel Messi. In truth, it was all that La Blaugrana deserved after Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid thoroughly embarrassed their own great names and standing in the game.

Village Football President Banned by the FFF after Audacious Bid For Lionel Messi

The President of a French village side has been suspended for six months by the French Football Federation after he launched an incredible bid to bring none other than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi to his club!

Cedric Enjolras, otherwise known as President Buch, decided to make the audacious bid for the little Argentinean after a few drinks with friends one evening. The President, who describes himself as handsome as a god, mounted like a horse, as smart as Einstein and a hero like Messi, obviously thought that the FFF would see the funny side.

Unfortunately, they did not and promptly banned him for six months.

Trains, Planes & Automobiles: A Messi Trip to Osasuna for Barcelona

Barcelona’s most recent great run of form almost came to a "Messi" end tonight after the Catalan club almost failed to show up against Osasuna! The La Liga champions had believed that their game had been postponed until Sunday because of the wildcat strike by Spanish Air Traffic Controllers.

However, and much to Pep Guardiola's dismay, La Blaugrana found that the game had not been re-scheduled, and they had to leave the Catalan capital by high speed train with just hours to spare before kickoff.

In a mad dash, Barcelona's first team high tailed it to Zaragoza by train. They left their home city at 14:00 with the match scheduled to kick off at 19:00. Fortunately, the game was put back to 19:45, as Lionel Messi and Co. only arrived at the Reyno De Navarra at 19:00, leaving the travel weary team just 45 minutes to limber up for a crucial encounter.

Are FC Barcelona Even Playing the Same Sport as Other Teams?

Having worshipped at many alters in my time, I took the chance to visit one of the greatest churches of all two weeks ago; the Camp Nou.

There, I saw Barcelona play Villarreal in one of the most entertaining encounters I have ever witnessed, and it left me begging the question: Are Barca even playing the same sport as other teams?

Neymar Needs To Follow Lionel Messi's Example To Avoid Ending Up Like Gazza

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior is without doubt the most famous 18-year-old footballer on the planet. The prodigious striker has many suitors. However, following a bust-up of biblical proportions with his manager last week, it would appear as if Chelsea dodged a bullet when their £25 million offer was turned down.

The famous incident with Dorival Jr. came about after the youngster was taken down for a penalty against Atletico Goianiense. With Neymar having missed Santos' last three penalties, Dorival decided to chose another player for the vital spot-kick.

As the penalty was scored Neymar berated Dorival and his team mates on the bench from a height in a tantrum that a two-year-old would have been proud of. Everyone was shocked, from team mates to opponents, especially his manager.

Lionel Messi: Comparing the Worlds Greatest Player To Legends Pele, Maradona and Cruyff

Lionel Messi has many devotees. The 22-year-old Barcelona and Argentina forward is undoubtedly the most talented player on the planet, but how does he rank against the greats of the game?

Jose Mourinho Guides Inter Milan Past Barcelona On A Bad Night For Football

Jose Mourinho, the man so laughably dismissed as little more than "an interpreter" by Barcelona has guided Inter Milan through to the Final of the UEFA Champions League after they beat La Blaugrana 3-2 on aggregate.

Following Inter Milan's superb performance last week when they beat Barca 3-1, Mourinho brought his troops to battle in the cauldron that is the Camp Nou. In front of 100,000 baying fans, Inter produced one of the best defensive performances seen in years to deny Barca a place in the final.


The manner of their display is made all the more memorable because they had to do it with just ten men after referee Franck De Bleeckere controversially sent off Thiago Motta after just 28 minutes. Inter then went on to not only deny Barca an appearance at the Santiago Bernabeau, but to also deny them of virtually any sight of goal all night long.

Lionel Messi vs. Diego Maradona (Video of Identical Goals)

You would almost think that Messi's goal was created on photoshop it's that similar to Diego's famous effort against England.

Brilliant Barcelona and Magnificent Messi Humble Manchester United and Ronaldo

A victory for football? Without a doubt.


Barcelona, inspired by the sublime Lionel Messi beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League Final in Rome tonight. But in truth they gave the English Premier League Champions a real lesson in football.

Barcelona: Dominant, Devastating and Delightful

Barcelona have delighted those who have had the pleasure of watching them this season. Their beautiful, free-flowing style has captivated fans across the planet and it is not without some merit that they are now being compared to the great Ajax and Bayern Munich teams of the '70s and the AC Milan side of the late '80s.