This would remain argue for many decades. Below are provided some of people's view on this matter. What is your own take on?
Ritwik Pal's view
Some say that they are not comparable because of their different playing style and playing positions. Legendary footballers will never say who is better because they want to be politically correct; like Pele who once said Ronaldo and then Messi.
But can CR7 dribble past 6 players and put the ball in the net?
Can he create chances as Messi does?
Can he provide assists or passes like Messi?
He is a great goalscorer who can score goals when he is fed. But he is not capable of scoring goals with individual brilliancy like Leo.
Ronaldo has some better attributes like heading, physique, use of both feet; but Messi has more impact over the game as he comes deep in the midfield and takes the ball that Ronaldo rarely does. Messi’s vision, passing and assists are legendary. Messi is more complete footballer than Ronaldo.
I don't believe in sayings like ‘Both are great players; just enjoy them’, or ‘they are not comparable’. Both are great players but know the truth - Messi is better than Ronaldo but respect both.
Peace!
According to Karl Rossman
Significantly better dribbler. When I say significantly I mean it. He is best dribbler in the world by far, while Ronaldo isn't in top 5–6. Ronaldo goes 1 vs 1, usually gives ball back to his teammate, doesn't go through dribbling because he isn't sure he will make it. Also, I saw him few times he falls over a ball or does useless bicycle stepovers and then does nothing with it.
Better assist provider. I mean, if you have 151 match less in your career than Ronaldo, and you are younger player than Ronaldo, and you still have significant number more of assists, then there you go, a simple fact.
-He is better, but much better passer. Passes that Messi sends are defense splitting, homing passes. Nobody has more accurate pass than Lionel Messi. They can be simple, they can be extremely intricate and complex. Ronaldo has decent pass, but not even close to pass of Messi.
-Messi is far better creator. He will take ball in half of pitch, pass it through entire defense to Jordi Alba or someone else, or will take ball and start action and finish it with a goal.
-Messi in last 5 years is significantly better free kick taker. Ronaldo has few more scored, but it was long time ago, he took so many free kicks from all positions, and has had 151 match more to score them. Messi can score 2 free kicks sometimes at same match, and he has done it before also.
-Messi is more intelligent player on the ball. Simply more talented. Ronaldo’s talent (although he is talented player himself) cannot compare to natural talent of Messi. If somebody doesnt see this, they shouldnt watch football because they do not understand it.
It is important to say that in no way am I underestimating Ronaldo. He is monster player for all that consistency over years and goal scoring, his talent also. But simply, one player is above him, but that player is above all others in history of football, and that is Lionel Messi. Also people can have their opinions, no foul there. But some opinions matter more, and those are opinions of experts, professional footballers, ex footballers, coaches. They favor Messi. I can give you an analogy in physics. People can have opinion, but they are not experts, and lets say one person says: “I think our universe has Earth, Sun, few planets and thats it, end of universe”. Now there will come physicists, experts in astronomy also, and will prove you wrong. They will tell you are a meaningless speck in vast universe, insignificant one. So, would you rather believe some random beer drinking fan who prefer Ronaldo, or would you prefer opinion of for example Frank Lampard, Chelsea legend and a guy who has scored 155 IQ on proctored IQ test? Guy is extremely intelligent, and also was excellent footballer. I will take opinion of Lampard any day. Have a good day.
Edit: For people that have dyslexia obviously, I did not downplay Ronaldo or make him “look rubbish”. I just named you were Messi is significantly better. Is Ronaldo better dribbler than Messi? Hell no, not even close. Is he better creator? He isn't creator at all, he is scorer capable of assisting also, but not creator of game. Passer? Who is better? Ronaldo? Yes, in some parallel universe, but not in this one. Is he better scorer? Last 3 years, guess who was best scorer in the world? I will give you a hint: He scored 3 goals vs Sevilla few days ago, one with left foot volley, one with right foot, and one goal with chip over goalkeeper. And then he assisted fourth. They were loosing 2 times, 2 times he brought them back to life, and then he took lead, and then assisted fourth goal to secure the win. It is not Ronaldo, there you go. For me Ronaldo is second best of all times, because how football is evolved now and how that guy stays for 14 years in top with Messi. He is great player, but most experts will choose Messi. Opinions are great, you have right to choose from either of these 2 great players, but please, before you do, learn to read. I deleted comment from a guy who said that I claimed Ronaldo was rubbish. I never did that, I just prefer Messi. I value Ronaldo too. I have my opinion and have right to it, and in my book Messi is simply more talented and better player. If for you Jay Jay Okocha is best player of all times, by all means, do it, make a claim, you have right to do it. Just don't put words in my comment which I didn't say or even think of (that Ronaldo is rubbish-he clearly is world class and wouldn't win so many individual trophies and team ones if he wasn't world class). He is a machine, one of best of all times. Have a nice day.
Kiran Suryawanshi Opined that
It's a long one...
there are certain reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player at the end of the day.
1) Ronaldo is a winger, not a striker
So, Messi has scored more goals that Ronaldo in the 2011-12 season. But what one has to realise here is that Messi is a forward/striker where as Ronaldo is a winger and for a winger to score as many as 60 goals in 55 appearances in a season is no mean achievement. While with Manchester United, he also had the distinction of being the first ever to win the European Golden Boot award in the 2007-08 season – as a winger.
With Real Madrid, Ronaldo also has the distinct achievement of being the second fastest La Liga player to score 100 goals in just 92 matches. He also became first player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years in any of the top European leagues – all these achievements as a winger and not striker. And while Messi has score just 169 goals in 214 appearances for Barcelona as a striker, Ronaldo has score 112 goals in just 101 appearances for Real Madrid, a much faster scoring rate.
2) Move Messi out of Barcelona
So far, Messi has played for just one club, Barcelona FC, thus proving his ability with one club. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo has proved that he can play in any league across the world - Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Manchester United (England) and now with Real Madrid (Spain), winning the leagues with Manchester and Real Madrid.
Barcelona FC is no doubt, the best club in the world right now. But as many critics had said then, Barcelona is what Ronaldnho made it; prior his arrival Barcelona was distance away form Real Madrid. This means that Messi is enjoying the outcome of what Barcelona has turned out to be though his contribution cannot be denied either.
Moreover, the support that Xavi Hernandez and Andrea Iniesta, considered the best midfielders in the world, are giving him is nothing like any in the world of football. Hence, many have wondered what would happen to Messi’s football without the support of these two players. Moreover, with Pep Guardiola having left the club, one never know how the Barcelona FC will perform.
So, can we move Messi out of Barcelona FC and see what happens? It would be interesting indeed.
3) Ronaldo is from Portugal, not Argentina
Messi is lucky to be born in the South American country of Argentina known for their football, while on the other hand Ronaldo is from Portugal, a country not as good and popular as Argentina in football. This means that while Messi has been almost genetically and ethnically gifted with the skills of football, Ronaldo has put himself in a place where he is today through sheer passion and hard working.
Imagine Cristiano was from Brazil. Perhaps, the outcome would have been a different story.
4) Performances for country
While Messi might have won the Olympics gold in football at the Beijing games in 2008, he has otherwise failed to impress in the national shirt. He failed again to help his country qualify for the London Olympics 2012 despite being the defending champions.
Thus, when it comes to the senior side, Messi has failed to perform for the country – he was goalless at the FIFA World Cup 2010 held in 2010 while Argentina were knocked out by Germany 4-0 in the quarter finals.
On the other, Ronaldo almost single handedly took Portugal to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the quarter finals of the Euro Cup 2012.
Thus, when it comes to performance for the nation at the highest level, Cristiano has performed better than Messi.
5)No. of Awards
One might also argue that Ronaldo has just one FIFA Player of the Year award to Messi’s three, but the latter’s award in 2010 did not come without its share of controversy; many players and critics expected Wesley Sneijder of Holland to win it after having led the Orange to the finals of the of the FIFA World Cup 2010, winning the Bronze Boot award for five goals and the Silver Ball for being the 2nd best player of the tournament. He was also heavily instrumental in Inter Milan winning the EUFA Champions League in the same year.
So, at the end of the day, Messi has higher number of awards, both group and individual. But that said again, Messi has been stuck with the same best club of the world. Had he moved out to other team, he might as well win so many awards.
But that said and done, both these players are amazingly talented and the competition between the two will continue for few more years to come.
Thus, at the end of the day, the debate of who is a better player will definitely continue. However, if one has to analyse every angle, situation and the likes, Cristiano takes the edge as the better player between the two.
Karthik Msroxx, Graduate Engineering Trainee at VA Tech Wabag (2016-present) Also contributed this
Well…. Because he is not..!
Both players have their own style of play. Messi is more of a playmaker. Ronaldo is more of a dynamic winger. Messi links up. With teammates and scores WHEREAS Ronaldo wants all the attacks to pass through him.
I see people choosing Messi because of his playmaking skills. But why? That is his style of play. He cannot play like lewa or ibra or Costa. Him…. Aguero…griezman…these type of players have to drop down playmake and score. That is their play style. Whereas player alike lewa, ibra, manzukic, Mueller can stay upfront and bulldoze defenders to score. That is their play style.
Overall what matters is the contribution for the team. It's not important who made more number of passes or who made more number of dribbles or who drops in more etc. Ronaldo during his prime used to cover the entire field on his own and his work was second to none. The advantage to ronaldo is his work ethic and mentality to handle pressure.
He can do both…. What Messi type players do as well as play target men like lewa, ibra etc which he plays now since 2015. Obviously Messi is better in that area…but Ronaldo can do both. So he is more complete.
Anyways…having more bandwidth than Messi is not the reason why Ronaldo is a better player. In that case Marcelo or hazard should be the Better player than them. Marcelo attacks, defends and also actively takes part in play making at the mid. And Hazard has more take ons than both of them.
What makes Ronaldo special is his insane ability to carry the team. He has carried Man u, real madrid, Portugal and now although 34, he has already made a significant impact at juventus. Messi has not been able to shine as much as he does when he is not around with quality players at barca. Also Ronaldos's mentality is what is giving him an edge over all the other players.
Messi has played majority of his career as a striker and Ronaldo played majority of his life a sa winger. But now Messi has started assuming a mod field role and ronaldo has evolved into a poacher. So Messi fans who say that he drops to mid whereas Ronaldo does not…like where are your football sense? Why should a striker drop back when he has amazing midfielders at the back to supply? And with the kind of striking abilities that Ronaldo possess, why should he fall back? It wouldn't be efficient. Messi has played majority of his career hopping around the 30 yards, during that time Ronaldo used to cover the entire field and still score as many goals as him. What about that?
Sarfaraz Haque, I have been following the sport for over a decade now. A Red Devil by heart. commented this
Right at the outset, let me say this; both Leo and Cristiano are the two best players of our generation.
Coming to your question, I will list a few points to substantiate the claim that Messi is a better player than Ronaldo.
1. Lionel Messi is more versatile and dynamic. He has played as a right winger, as a CAM, as a False 9 and often drops very deep at the position of a CM for Barcelona and Argentina of late. He has been very successful in all of the aforementioned positions, vis a vis, controlling the game, creating chances, dribbling past several players with ease and scoring for fun.
Cristiano on the other hand is a little one dimensional of late. Over the last two years, he has concentrated more on scoring goals, and is not seen involved in build up play as much as one would like him to. He preys on the supplies of his team mates. He is a prolific goalscorer.
2. Team player- Ronaldo and Messi are both the talisman for their respective teams . However, as a United supporter and follower of Ronaldo since 2003, I have noticed that Ronaldo is a tad bit selfish. Most strikers are selfish. But his recent expressions of exasperation at Bale and Arbeloa for not letting him score have pretty evidently reflected how he values personal goals over his team. Messi on the other hand is a perfect team player. Even when on the verge of a hattrick, recently against Cordoba, he let Neymar take the penalty. It was a great show of sportsmanship spirit and the kind of bonding and understanding he shares with his team mates. He values teams performance over personal achievements.
3. Success with National Team- Leo Messi is a clear winner in this aspect. He won an Olympic Gold with Argentina, has taken his team to the final of last years World Cup, even when all the Argentine strikers put up a horror show and misfired left right and centre.
Ronaldo hasn't been poor with Portugal, but his performances have not been exceptional either.
4. Play acting- One huge quality Messi possesses is that he never goes down easily on the field when tackled. He never play acts. I have hardly ever seen him diving.
Ronaldo on the other hand has a terrible reputation of diving. He has been booked several time for simulation and often times he gets away with dives to earn penalties. He used to do this at United as well.
Statistics- Messi has 452 goals for club and country in 575 appearances. Ronaldo has 481 in 739.
Quite clearly, Messi is ahead, statistically.
Aside from all these points most pundits, former players and coaches, who understand the game better keep Messi ahead of Ronaldo.
Also, from this generation, Messi time and again has been hailed as the all time greatest(which is very debatable).
Ronaldo at United was dynamic winger who could score and get past players at will. However at Real, with his quest for Ballon D'or he has become more of a great goalscorer. Nothing more, nothing less.
Messi, indeed is the better player and the greatest of this generation.
Arek Baronyan
One of the ways Messi is better than Ronaldo is the difference in their ball control and dribbling. Messi has surgically precise ball control when he dribbles. No one comes close to how well he is able to dribble the ball at high speeds and still being able to change direction or come to a standstill with the ball glued to the feet.
He has incredible control over his body where it allows him to play in a composed manner and never make any unnecessary movements. He has no need for tricks and deceit, he just does not allow you to take the ball away from him and he will twist and turn you into submission. He will fight you directly for dangerous positions and he is very persistent and driven when he turns on the switch. Whenever that happens no one can stop him, not even the best defenders in the world. They tried and failed, all of them.
Ronaldo would more often need his teammates to get the better of worldclass defenders. He has his own way.
But Messi cuts through entire defenses without mercy. He makes everyone look bad and some of them don’t take kindly to that. *cough* ramos *cough*
All in all, you could make a case for Ronaldo, but Messi is more impressive to me.
p.s. edited in some pictures of Ramos taking his frustration out on Messi.
Note: Some of the comments or the analyses or statistics are not recent.
Kindly, let us know your view on this two arguable best in this 21st century by making use of comment box provided below.
Ritwik Pal's view
Some say that they are not comparable because of their different playing style and playing positions. Legendary footballers will never say who is better because they want to be politically correct; like Pele who once said Ronaldo and then Messi.
But can CR7 dribble past 6 players and put the ball in the net?
Can he create chances as Messi does?
Can he provide assists or passes like Messi?
He is a great goalscorer who can score goals when he is fed. But he is not capable of scoring goals with individual brilliancy like Leo.
Ronaldo has some better attributes like heading, physique, use of both feet; but Messi has more impact over the game as he comes deep in the midfield and takes the ball that Ronaldo rarely does. Messi’s vision, passing and assists are legendary. Messi is more complete footballer than Ronaldo.
I don't believe in sayings like ‘Both are great players; just enjoy them’, or ‘they are not comparable’. Both are great players but know the truth - Messi is better than Ronaldo but respect both.
Peace!
According to Karl Rossman
Significantly better dribbler. When I say significantly I mean it. He is best dribbler in the world by far, while Ronaldo isn't in top 5–6. Ronaldo goes 1 vs 1, usually gives ball back to his teammate, doesn't go through dribbling because he isn't sure he will make it. Also, I saw him few times he falls over a ball or does useless bicycle stepovers and then does nothing with it.
Better assist provider. I mean, if you have 151 match less in your career than Ronaldo, and you are younger player than Ronaldo, and you still have significant number more of assists, then there you go, a simple fact.
-He is better, but much better passer. Passes that Messi sends are defense splitting, homing passes. Nobody has more accurate pass than Lionel Messi. They can be simple, they can be extremely intricate and complex. Ronaldo has decent pass, but not even close to pass of Messi.
-Messi is far better creator. He will take ball in half of pitch, pass it through entire defense to Jordi Alba or someone else, or will take ball and start action and finish it with a goal.
-Messi in last 5 years is significantly better free kick taker. Ronaldo has few more scored, but it was long time ago, he took so many free kicks from all positions, and has had 151 match more to score them. Messi can score 2 free kicks sometimes at same match, and he has done it before also.
-Messi is more intelligent player on the ball. Simply more talented. Ronaldo’s talent (although he is talented player himself) cannot compare to natural talent of Messi. If somebody doesnt see this, they shouldnt watch football because they do not understand it.
It is important to say that in no way am I underestimating Ronaldo. He is monster player for all that consistency over years and goal scoring, his talent also. But simply, one player is above him, but that player is above all others in history of football, and that is Lionel Messi. Also people can have their opinions, no foul there. But some opinions matter more, and those are opinions of experts, professional footballers, ex footballers, coaches. They favor Messi. I can give you an analogy in physics. People can have opinion, but they are not experts, and lets say one person says: “I think our universe has Earth, Sun, few planets and thats it, end of universe”. Now there will come physicists, experts in astronomy also, and will prove you wrong. They will tell you are a meaningless speck in vast universe, insignificant one. So, would you rather believe some random beer drinking fan who prefer Ronaldo, or would you prefer opinion of for example Frank Lampard, Chelsea legend and a guy who has scored 155 IQ on proctored IQ test? Guy is extremely intelligent, and also was excellent footballer. I will take opinion of Lampard any day. Have a good day.
Edit: For people that have dyslexia obviously, I did not downplay Ronaldo or make him “look rubbish”. I just named you were Messi is significantly better. Is Ronaldo better dribbler than Messi? Hell no, not even close. Is he better creator? He isn't creator at all, he is scorer capable of assisting also, but not creator of game. Passer? Who is better? Ronaldo? Yes, in some parallel universe, but not in this one. Is he better scorer? Last 3 years, guess who was best scorer in the world? I will give you a hint: He scored 3 goals vs Sevilla few days ago, one with left foot volley, one with right foot, and one goal with chip over goalkeeper. And then he assisted fourth. They were loosing 2 times, 2 times he brought them back to life, and then he took lead, and then assisted fourth goal to secure the win. It is not Ronaldo, there you go. For me Ronaldo is second best of all times, because how football is evolved now and how that guy stays for 14 years in top with Messi. He is great player, but most experts will choose Messi. Opinions are great, you have right to choose from either of these 2 great players, but please, before you do, learn to read. I deleted comment from a guy who said that I claimed Ronaldo was rubbish. I never did that, I just prefer Messi. I value Ronaldo too. I have my opinion and have right to it, and in my book Messi is simply more talented and better player. If for you Jay Jay Okocha is best player of all times, by all means, do it, make a claim, you have right to do it. Just don't put words in my comment which I didn't say or even think of (that Ronaldo is rubbish-he clearly is world class and wouldn't win so many individual trophies and team ones if he wasn't world class). He is a machine, one of best of all times. Have a nice day.
Kiran Suryawanshi Opined that
It's a long one...
there are certain reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player at the end of the day.
1) Ronaldo is a winger, not a striker
So, Messi has scored more goals that Ronaldo in the 2011-12 season. But what one has to realise here is that Messi is a forward/striker where as Ronaldo is a winger and for a winger to score as many as 60 goals in 55 appearances in a season is no mean achievement. While with Manchester United, he also had the distinction of being the first ever to win the European Golden Boot award in the 2007-08 season – as a winger.
With Real Madrid, Ronaldo also has the distinct achievement of being the second fastest La Liga player to score 100 goals in just 92 matches. He also became first player to reach 40 goals in a single season in two consecutive years in any of the top European leagues – all these achievements as a winger and not striker. And while Messi has score just 169 goals in 214 appearances for Barcelona as a striker, Ronaldo has score 112 goals in just 101 appearances for Real Madrid, a much faster scoring rate.
2) Move Messi out of Barcelona
So far, Messi has played for just one club, Barcelona FC, thus proving his ability with one club. On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo has proved that he can play in any league across the world - Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), Manchester United (England) and now with Real Madrid (Spain), winning the leagues with Manchester and Real Madrid.
Barcelona FC is no doubt, the best club in the world right now. But as many critics had said then, Barcelona is what Ronaldnho made it; prior his arrival Barcelona was distance away form Real Madrid. This means that Messi is enjoying the outcome of what Barcelona has turned out to be though his contribution cannot be denied either.
Moreover, the support that Xavi Hernandez and Andrea Iniesta, considered the best midfielders in the world, are giving him is nothing like any in the world of football. Hence, many have wondered what would happen to Messi’s football without the support of these two players. Moreover, with Pep Guardiola having left the club, one never know how the Barcelona FC will perform.
So, can we move Messi out of Barcelona FC and see what happens? It would be interesting indeed.
3) Ronaldo is from Portugal, not Argentina
Messi is lucky to be born in the South American country of Argentina known for their football, while on the other hand Ronaldo is from Portugal, a country not as good and popular as Argentina in football. This means that while Messi has been almost genetically and ethnically gifted with the skills of football, Ronaldo has put himself in a place where he is today through sheer passion and hard working.
Imagine Cristiano was from Brazil. Perhaps, the outcome would have been a different story.
4) Performances for country
While Messi might have won the Olympics gold in football at the Beijing games in 2008, he has otherwise failed to impress in the national shirt. He failed again to help his country qualify for the London Olympics 2012 despite being the defending champions.
Thus, when it comes to the senior side, Messi has failed to perform for the country – he was goalless at the FIFA World Cup 2010 held in 2010 while Argentina were knocked out by Germany 4-0 in the quarter finals.
On the other, Ronaldo almost single handedly took Portugal to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the quarter finals of the Euro Cup 2012.
Thus, when it comes to performance for the nation at the highest level, Cristiano has performed better than Messi.
5)No. of Awards
One might also argue that Ronaldo has just one FIFA Player of the Year award to Messi’s three, but the latter’s award in 2010 did not come without its share of controversy; many players and critics expected Wesley Sneijder of Holland to win it after having led the Orange to the finals of the of the FIFA World Cup 2010, winning the Bronze Boot award for five goals and the Silver Ball for being the 2nd best player of the tournament. He was also heavily instrumental in Inter Milan winning the EUFA Champions League in the same year.
So, at the end of the day, Messi has higher number of awards, both group and individual. But that said again, Messi has been stuck with the same best club of the world. Had he moved out to other team, he might as well win so many awards.
But that said and done, both these players are amazingly talented and the competition between the two will continue for few more years to come.
Thus, at the end of the day, the debate of who is a better player will definitely continue. However, if one has to analyse every angle, situation and the likes, Cristiano takes the edge as the better player between the two.
Karthik Msroxx, Graduate Engineering Trainee at VA Tech Wabag (2016-present) Also contributed this
Well…. Because he is not..!
Both players have their own style of play. Messi is more of a playmaker. Ronaldo is more of a dynamic winger. Messi links up. With teammates and scores WHEREAS Ronaldo wants all the attacks to pass through him.
I see people choosing Messi because of his playmaking skills. But why? That is his style of play. He cannot play like lewa or ibra or Costa. Him…. Aguero…griezman…these type of players have to drop down playmake and score. That is their play style. Whereas player alike lewa, ibra, manzukic, Mueller can stay upfront and bulldoze defenders to score. That is their play style.
Overall what matters is the contribution for the team. It's not important who made more number of passes or who made more number of dribbles or who drops in more etc. Ronaldo during his prime used to cover the entire field on his own and his work was second to none. The advantage to ronaldo is his work ethic and mentality to handle pressure.
He can do both…. What Messi type players do as well as play target men like lewa, ibra etc which he plays now since 2015. Obviously Messi is better in that area…but Ronaldo can do both. So he is more complete.
Anyways…having more bandwidth than Messi is not the reason why Ronaldo is a better player. In that case Marcelo or hazard should be the Better player than them. Marcelo attacks, defends and also actively takes part in play making at the mid. And Hazard has more take ons than both of them.
What makes Ronaldo special is his insane ability to carry the team. He has carried Man u, real madrid, Portugal and now although 34, he has already made a significant impact at juventus. Messi has not been able to shine as much as he does when he is not around with quality players at barca. Also Ronaldos's mentality is what is giving him an edge over all the other players.
Messi has played majority of his career as a striker and Ronaldo played majority of his life a sa winger. But now Messi has started assuming a mod field role and ronaldo has evolved into a poacher. So Messi fans who say that he drops to mid whereas Ronaldo does not…like where are your football sense? Why should a striker drop back when he has amazing midfielders at the back to supply? And with the kind of striking abilities that Ronaldo possess, why should he fall back? It wouldn't be efficient. Messi has played majority of his career hopping around the 30 yards, during that time Ronaldo used to cover the entire field and still score as many goals as him. What about that?
Sarfaraz Haque, I have been following the sport for over a decade now. A Red Devil by heart. commented this
Right at the outset, let me say this; both Leo and Cristiano are the two best players of our generation.
Coming to your question, I will list a few points to substantiate the claim that Messi is a better player than Ronaldo.
1. Lionel Messi is more versatile and dynamic. He has played as a right winger, as a CAM, as a False 9 and often drops very deep at the position of a CM for Barcelona and Argentina of late. He has been very successful in all of the aforementioned positions, vis a vis, controlling the game, creating chances, dribbling past several players with ease and scoring for fun.
Cristiano on the other hand is a little one dimensional of late. Over the last two years, he has concentrated more on scoring goals, and is not seen involved in build up play as much as one would like him to. He preys on the supplies of his team mates. He is a prolific goalscorer.
2. Team player- Ronaldo and Messi are both the talisman for their respective teams . However, as a United supporter and follower of Ronaldo since 2003, I have noticed that Ronaldo is a tad bit selfish. Most strikers are selfish. But his recent expressions of exasperation at Bale and Arbeloa for not letting him score have pretty evidently reflected how he values personal goals over his team. Messi on the other hand is a perfect team player. Even when on the verge of a hattrick, recently against Cordoba, he let Neymar take the penalty. It was a great show of sportsmanship spirit and the kind of bonding and understanding he shares with his team mates. He values teams performance over personal achievements.
3. Success with National Team- Leo Messi is a clear winner in this aspect. He won an Olympic Gold with Argentina, has taken his team to the final of last years World Cup, even when all the Argentine strikers put up a horror show and misfired left right and centre.
Ronaldo hasn't been poor with Portugal, but his performances have not been exceptional either.
4. Play acting- One huge quality Messi possesses is that he never goes down easily on the field when tackled. He never play acts. I have hardly ever seen him diving.
Ronaldo on the other hand has a terrible reputation of diving. He has been booked several time for simulation and often times he gets away with dives to earn penalties. He used to do this at United as well.
Statistics- Messi has 452 goals for club and country in 575 appearances. Ronaldo has 481 in 739.
Quite clearly, Messi is ahead, statistically.
Aside from all these points most pundits, former players and coaches, who understand the game better keep Messi ahead of Ronaldo.
Also, from this generation, Messi time and again has been hailed as the all time greatest(which is very debatable).
Ronaldo at United was dynamic winger who could score and get past players at will. However at Real, with his quest for Ballon D'or he has become more of a great goalscorer. Nothing more, nothing less.
Messi, indeed is the better player and the greatest of this generation.
Arek Baronyan
One of the ways Messi is better than Ronaldo is the difference in their ball control and dribbling. Messi has surgically precise ball control when he dribbles. No one comes close to how well he is able to dribble the ball at high speeds and still being able to change direction or come to a standstill with the ball glued to the feet.
He has incredible control over his body where it allows him to play in a composed manner and never make any unnecessary movements. He has no need for tricks and deceit, he just does not allow you to take the ball away from him and he will twist and turn you into submission. He will fight you directly for dangerous positions and he is very persistent and driven when he turns on the switch. Whenever that happens no one can stop him, not even the best defenders in the world. They tried and failed, all of them.
Ronaldo would more often need his teammates to get the better of worldclass defenders. He has his own way.
But Messi cuts through entire defenses without mercy. He makes everyone look bad and some of them don’t take kindly to that. *cough* ramos *cough*
All in all, you could make a case for Ronaldo, but Messi is more impressive to me.
p.s. edited in some pictures of Ramos taking his frustration out on Messi.
Note: Some of the comments or the analyses or statistics are not recent.
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