I was just reading about the FFP
@Danza91 apparently only Real and Man U could afford him outright and it would still be iffy then. I agree entirely about Ronaldo. He's a magnificent athlete. It could be argued that the Prem helped him with that.
It's also fair to say I think that the Prem was a harder league then.
Also you mention Alexis, he's a tough b'stard! Silva is a pretty tough looking fella, though perhaps the best example of a pro-Messi point, and Hazard is another tough player.
Perhaps now more than before he could adapt, you do see technically exemplary players like Silva/Aguero make it over here, but could it also be argued that perhaps in global competition they've also shone more than Messi?
Sanchez didn't make it in Spain - but yet he absolutely excels here, what a phenomenal talent he is, Suarez was exceptional here, but he seems to be struggling (early days though) in Barca - there has to be a difference in the leagues styles games and ultimately how players adapt to it.
I referenced him before, and I will again, Shevchenko - he was an absolute goal machine, but couldn't do it for Chelsea. HE was a classy player, let's not pretend he was some has been, he was one of the best strikers to grace the game. Even Forlan, he's another one, Fergie etc, even Scholes lately came out to exclaim what an exceptional talent he was but it was a mystery why he just couldn't do it at Man U. Although he considers his start to be of vital importance, and that sometimes a player just cannot get over a bad start. Torres Chelsea anyone?
The past is littered with truly exceptional players moving clubs and just being unable to inexplicably replicate their form and what everyone knows they can do.
These are humans, people forget that sometimes, they're not robots no matter how much clubs pay for them - and to move clubs with a price tag creeping toward a BILLION pounds eventually is going to have some kind of effect on the player, good or bad.
It's not as a simple as, he's great, he'll be fine. But goodness me who here wouldn't like to find out?! One of those times I find myself frustrated at FFP, I'd have loved City to go and spend some ridiculous sum to get Messi here lol!