Not disputing the game is more skilful. But more entertaining, more debatable for my money.
I am just old fashioned, I like the modern soccer game to a point, but feel it has lost something, rather like rugby. Difference is I feel the rugby product- higher scoring and more athletic- is better today when it is at its best, compared to the 70s and 80s, even if it has so much has been lost with scrums, player sizes et al. When it is a its worst, we'll that is a different kettle of fish. Soccer, well much as I enjoy the more skilful game and proper player protection, I lament the fact that the defenders don't defend and tackling is not the prime task of a defender, especially what was right and left back. The game was just better with inside rights, proper 9s, proper wingers, no win backs, and matches ending 5-3, in short it has lost more from the 80s.
But as ever, each to their own. Totally subjective!