Beardsley V Messi 

Peter Beardsley, The most underrated player of all time, two footed, lightening feet, lovely shot, cheeky chips, sublime skills and the Beardsley shuffle, a gifted genius on the pitch and an absolute joy to watch.

Diego Maradona nominates Peter Beardsley as one of the world's greatest ever players in his autobiography so this didn't pass totally unnoticed at the time.

Peter Beardsley is nothing more than a Football Genius

Glad I'm not the only one to have made the comparison.Beardsley is without doubt the closest England ever had to a Messi

I am so pleased that I am not the only person who thinks Beardsley was a genius, sad that most modern pundits media sports people would think Rooney was better, which is utter rubbish.

It's unreal to see Beardsley turning defenders inside out for Newcastle even at 35yrs old.Cheers for the flashes of brilliance Peter.Newcastle United's greatest ever player

Messi's skill and precision, especially when running with the ball is frightening sometimes. I think that aspect of his play is unsurpassed in the modern game. Peter Beardsley was a wonderfully gifted footballer, poetry to watch sometimes, with both feet as well. Both incredible players in their respective eras.

How fortunate was I to have watched Peter Beardsley as a young unknown player in Vancouver for 3 seasons. It was obvious he was a special talent at a young age and it was so wonderful watching him grow on the international stage. Still one of the most underrated talents in world football.

The most two footed player I ever saw - the greatest - Peter Beardsley

Those who don’t know the quality of Beardsley will consider this a ridiculous comparison. The boy could play

i love that so many feel the same way about Peter Beardsley, i had a VHS about footballers of the 80's, and i didnt realise as as a youngster, just how brilliant he was. Only imagine, if he was around today, how far he would go with the advanced footballs,boots, less tackling, better atheletic conditioning, diet, he would be shading Aguero or any of them in the premier league. Fantastic work ethic to win the ball back, One of the true greats,from an Ipswich supporter, now living Near the Toon, and hoping we get to play them next season.

What a player Beardsley was. Cannot believe he is not more raved about. Him and Barnes for Liverpool wow. Good job for AC Milan Liverpool were banned from Europe in that period.

messi , a much more clinical and consistant goalscorer, beardsley a much better all round player, with a much better range of shooting ability, tap ins , messi style chips, beating 4 players on the edge of box, and 30 yard thunderbolts, i honestly believe pedro is one of the most underated players of all time!

Till Messi plays in the premier league he will always be second best. As the poster below says look at the state of the pitches beardsley played on, Messi plays on bowling green pitches.

Messi played on bowling greens , Beardsley played on ploughed fields.

I fucking love peter Beardsley

Imagine a Newcastle team with Given, Frank Clarke, Alan Kennedy, McDermott, Waddle, Gazza, Keegan, Beardsley and Shearer all in their prime...

The best I ever saw. Peter Beardsley was absolutely magnificent.

I once saw Peter Beardsley score a great goal for Newcastle against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Kevin Keegan as Newcastle manager walked off the bench to the touchline with a look of pure joy on his face. It was a great goal and a great football moment. As an Owls fan on the Wednesday kop that day I just had to appreciate what was a goal of pure skill and artistry. David Ginola also looked blown away by that goal it was class.

Beardsley is the most talented, skilful player I've watched in a toon top. He could use both feet and did it week in, week out in a tough league. Messi should try the premier league but not with a top club and top players around him to see how good he really is.

Some amazing shots off Beardsley, need to remember the footballs where twice as heavy as they are now a days. Just wished i could see newcastle play like this now...

I'd take Beardsley in his prime over Messi. Pulls the same kind of stunners in horrendous pitch conditions. Not to mention Beardsley had to play a decent team with real defenders more than once every six weeks.

ive been arguing this case with the lads at work for years now- pedro in his prime would have walked in the Barca team- ANY Barca team. The greatest Newcastle player ever. Very little in it- Pedro- ever humble recently said at after dinner show that he's not in same class but we all know he was- any foot- burst of pace. goal scorer and loads of assists. Not as prolific as Messi but stick him in same team in his pomp and he would have given him a run for his money. Any one who says Messi is twice the player knows nothing about football- very very similar players.

Great compilation mate. Both players are incredibly humble also.

Oh and a much braver player than messi, he wasnt afraid to get hurt to score a goal !

beardsley was not a striker.. he was midfielder... he was so amazing especially along side shearer, ginola, and gillespie back in newcastle era

so many reasons to argue the case for Beardsley, worse conditions, more physical competitiveness in England for a small Beardsley than for a small Messi in Spain, played with weaker team mates than Messi, played in a stronger league etc. Beardsley was class. My first football hero. 1 of the 2 most naturally gifted, skillful and entertaining English footballers of my time, the other being Gazza (both Geordies) IMO. But Messi will always be the better player, without a doubt. Look at all the great attackers of the 80's and 90's and Beardsley should get a mention. Messi's style has inspired this comparison. But would most people argue that Messi was equal or inferior to other attackers of Beardsley's time? Possibly not. Hard to compare between such different footballing eras. Let's see where Messi is in 7 years

Beardsley was the better. His goals for Carlisle Utd (never televised) were out of this world ! Then, even on ice, he could dance through any defence. Would have been capped at age 17 to 18 but for the wasters in charge at Man U !!

Beardsley over Messi everyday of the week Don't forget Beardsley was at his peak at a time when defenders did tackle from behind and forwards had to roll up their sleeves and get on with it........ Beardsley in todays game would gather a world record transfer fee... eclipsing Bale and Ronaldo by millions. Yes Messi can skip round challenges on the perfectly manicured pitches of La Liga and Europes elite..... but Beardsley did that in the driving rain in 80s mudbaths. Messi is amazing, don't get me wrong but Beardsley was for me the Greatest player of my lifetime.

Wow!! wor twinkle toes...peter the great really was great!!! as any true football fan will agree, in my eyes a hugely under rated player that was the "messi of his era" just blows me away every time i see videos of him!!!! Oh and a geordie to boot!!! lol

Smashing video. Beardsley has always been my favourite Newcastle player and I like Messi too because he reminds me of him. I was gutted when Beardsley left for Liverpool and even started to follow their results to see how he got on there. Same with Gazza going to Spurs, who I didn't care about before he went there. The longer this video goes on, the more you realise that Beardsley was every inch the player that Messi is. I would like to see their assist statistics side by side as well - I wouldn't be surprised if Beardsley edged that, on proportion.

Beardsley was a majestic player and we don't produce them like him anymore.

Just found this video. I've been saying for years that Beardsley was perhaps the best English player of the past 50 years. Class class player.

messi is a great player but Beardsley was a much better all round team player, there is a difference Beardsley done the lot went in goal, defended, midfield, winger, striker, never seen messi going in goal nor defend so its Beardsley for me by a mile

Not only class act on the pitch but class off it too. One of the most geniune and humble people you'll meet in football.

Beardsley all day every day. In my option the best player to ever play for Newcastle and England. Limitless skill, footballing brain, totally unselfish, goal scorer and when you hear the way his old team mates speak about it shows just how much even the pros thought of him.

I once watched a game at Anfield (would have been 90-91) and I think it may have been against Spurs. Beardsley was a bench-warmer that day!! When he came on the park in the second half, he was the best player by some margin (amongst some genuine world class players). What was notable is how he could change the tempo of a game in a nano-second. He does not receive the plaudits due.

look at the state of the pitched Beardsley had to play on and still managed such control, this makes wor Peter better than Leo!

Messi hasn't got the Beardsley shuffle, obviously lol.

Wouldn't even want to pick a winner. just thanks for the video. watching two genius' makes you fall in love with football all over again.

Beardsley's the best I've seen. Messi performed in two leagues at the best clubs with the best players, unlike Beardsley. Beardsley performed in a much harder league without the luxury of the best players and continued to mesmerize us at 36 in the premier league while Messi plays in a Sunday league at 36

Beardsley was on another planet as far as I was concerned. An absolute genius with a football. Always felt that something might happen whenever he got the ball and it usually did. I saw loads of his goals but the standout was the goal he scored away at Portsmouth where he dribbled it along the line. I was in the corner with the Newcastle supporters and we were falling about laughing at his cheek. My favourite memories of him were of the time he was part of the Waddle, Beardsley Keegan trio with Terry Mac feeding balls in to them. Waddle was another genius for us and we had them both in the same side.

Pedro done it for 15 years in a much harder league, I’ve played against who were much better than Las Palmas or whichever shite team Messi has scored against

One of the best footballers England has produced by a mile , never got the accolades he should have.

Many people of past 20 years probally never heard of him but he was an absolute professional and genius with the ball! He's probally still playing!

Beardo all the way, no contest. End of.

Whoever made this video did so well.... thank you for enlightening me. Beardsley was exceptional

Fair comparison.

Pedro was a phenomenal player.. I watched him over his 2 periods as a Newcastle player.. The most naturally gifted player I have ever seen. Gazza was a second close.. Beardsley .. had the cool head and took care of himself .A true pro... Gazza got sucked in to the bright lights !!

Beardsley was a class act as a player at Wallsend boys club, and when eventually given his chance at senior level proved he was one of the finest players ever to lace up a pair of boots. Had it all. The Messi of his generation. In Top 3 best ever Newcastle Utd players!

Boy did that Beardsley goal @2:08 against Norwich bring back memories. Reckon that's the best goal I've ever seen. Just something magic about it and the intention and execution.

2.58 is absolute magic from Beardsley

Beardsley was boss in that 87/88 team for Liverpool, Barnes also was electric to watch

excellent compilation but it's missing at least 4 of Beardo's best goals, the chip against Brighton in '84, his 25 yarder v Boro also 83/84 season. His volley v QPR in 94 and his injury-time winner from 25 yards v Arsenal 95 (I think). I love both him and Messi.

I watched Beardsley as a young lad. Notice the pitch was always pitted and rough and yet his skill was the ' once in a generation kind'. We all knew it at the time and he is even more amazing looking back. Wonderful player and genuinely nice person.

They are actually quite similar players. I'd say the only thing that makes Messi better, is he's just a lot faster. And that's usually the thing that separate s players like Maradona and Pele, and Messi, and Ronaldo 1 and Ronaldo 2, from the next level down - they're just absolutely rapid!

When in Vancouver he was very much at home with Tony Waiters, Trevor Whymark, Alan Ball I recall and many players from GB....he was a joy to watch and so much raw youthful energy. We were sad to see him leave to GB but we knew he had a great career in front of him...much like the Whitecaps having had Bruce Grobelaar for a while..you knew they were different and special.

Im a Messi fan n hes no daisy, he had a few rough games in Spain, but, Beardsley came from an era when butchering the center forward was a spectator sport in itself & he wasnt even 5'8 n 160lbs. A Tough cookie & a great player. A Fantastic link man from the midfield to the attack, let Beardsley float with a man like Rush, Lineker, Aldridge, Shearer up ahead of him n automatically yer looking at a 50 goal per season partnership. A Great player.

great example of why its so hard/impossible to compare players from different eras. Watch the first 50seconds and just look at the pitches...

This is a genuine comparison. The best player I’ve ever seen in a black nwhite shirt. Gazza didn’t come close to Beardsley, he was that good. Gutted as a kid when we sold him to Liverpool, who really should’ve built their team around him. Always thought they didn’t use him properly.

I never would have thought of this. Thank you! Beardsley didn't get half the credit he deserved. He was phenomenal!

Wow, never thought of that. But you are so right. Beardsley was one of my favorite players for Liverpool.

The difference between Messi and Beardlsey, is Messi had a bloody good agent.

You're a good lad Peter

When I was a kid, he played for me in Championship Manager 1992 from Domark. He did an excellent job and I payed him well too. Later I grew up and stopped playing. Thank you Mr. Beardsley for making me happy as a child.

We lived in a great era of Newcastle United history my friends and me

I grew up watching Beardsley!

The best unsung hero for newcastle united. Makes messi look messy. Beadlsley is a Toon Legend best in the land

Similar stature, build, and trickery. Not a ridiculous comparison by any stretch.

Beardsley taught Gazza everything he knows

2.07 How does that happen?!?!? 2.40 Messi or Beardsley.... you cant tell.

Oh my God!!!!......I´m spanish and I´m 36 years old...I´ve never seen Peter Beardsley.....Only in his computer´s game....Peter Beardsley is better than Messi...I would like to see something else of him

I'll have to go with beardsley as i am a deluded geordie :) beardsley would be worth a fortune these days. Very nice man also

Played in same team as Peter when he was 16 couldn't believe teams were turning him down because he was to small an outstanding player of his generation

Good vid. Once again... the main difference between the highlights is the recording resolution / quality. Ppl don’t seem to realise that. They get fooled into thinking higher definition means better player.

Messi hasnt played in an English league where he wouldnt get the time of day like he does over there. Beardsley is a better player end of.

Ita crazy how similar the play is between both.

It’s like comparing Jesus Christ himself to just a saint. One is very good and extremely underrated, but the other is the closest thing we’ll ever see to perfection

probably the most underrated player of all time

So amazing.Beardsley was the Messi father.!!

I really hope that Messi's career follows Beardsley's. Peter ended his playing for my beloved Hartlepool United.... I think Lionel might go down rather well at Victoria Park 😂😁

He was the best English player to have ever played in my opinion. Better than Gazza. I asked an 18 year old who he was the other day didn’t even know him.

Most gifted English player 2 footed as well

Both brilliant playes, but can Messi ring the bells like Peter? ;o)

Peter beardsley is without a shadow of doubt the most skilled English player we have ever had

If Beardsley was remotely good looking he would have gone down as an all time great

two very similar players, only difference is the 350 goals (and counting) between them :p

Love it that Peter played for Carlisle. We have really forgotten about how good he was.

I forget how privaleged i am to have seen beardo play he makes it look so easy cool as cucumber

Beardsley was brilliant. Look at the pitches genius players like Matt Le Tissier and Peter Beardsley had to perform on, Messi would've adapted to that no question but I'm not so sure he could've handled the physicality of the Prem in the 90's/early 00's, a shame we never found out.

I'd forgotten how good Beardsley was! Have a look at ' Peter Beardsley tells jokes - Athletico Mince' Some of the funniest stuff i have heard in a long time!

Great video, what’s the music?

Beardsley for me ,he's one of my all time favourites, he was just a modest genius, top man

Beardsley had two feet, unlike Messi & Maradona!

I would've loved to see Peter Beardsley and George Best on the same team and see what art unfolded on the pitch.

Beardsley all day, every day the greatest!

He would play keep up while doing the shopping for his mum, never letting the ball touch the ground the entire walk there and back home. Whats crazy is 95 % of the goals shown here are from the latter part of his career during his second spell at Newcastle, already well into his 30s.

Saw him play with the Whitecaps. Great, great player.

Beardsley a true footballing genius,but a bit disappointed that they didnt show him here in the red of Liverpool as imho his best days were with Barnes and Aldridge in that amazing pool side of 87\88.

He was an incredible talent Peter