These two, Messi and Ronaldo, really are in a league of their own when compared to the rest of the World. They’re talent to make the most difficult of skills look as easy as shelling peas is amazing to watch – but of course they’re worth much more than quick feet and fantastic finishes. These two giants of the game are that special and unique.
They play their football for the two most glamorous sides in Spain, with Ronaldo strutting his stuff at the Bernabéu Stadium for Real Madrid, while Messi blesses the Camp Nou for Barcelona. Go to any pub, bar or any small dingy drinking hole anywhere around the world and people will be arguing and fighting about which of these two superstars is the best on the planet Earth.
There is no real right answer as the question leaves the answer open to one’s own interpretation as to what makes a more well rounded player. Many great football people make cases for both players. Messi is still only just 25, but it seems like he’s been around for ages. Having made his debut in 2004 against Espanyol at the tender age of 17 , he hasn’t looked back since he has already won 5 La Ligas and 3 European Cups – an amazing feat of numbers for one so young. And one mustn’t forget his 4 Ballon d’or Player of the Year awards as well. Ronaldo, slightly older than his big rival at 27 year old, has won 3 English Premiership titles, 1 La Liga, and 1 European Cup by comparison.
So let’s try to get to the bottom of just how great these players are. Both have that amazing ability to lift a crowd from their seats as an air of anticipation consents around the ground every time the ball arrives at their feet. Both can just as quickly change a match in an instant with a sublime piece of skill or finishing of the highest order that normal players just cannot do.
Ronaldo holds the record for the most expensive transfer fee ever when he moved from English giants Manchester United to Real Madrid for over 80 million pounds in 2009. Since that day he has graced the Bernabéu with a swagger like he owns it. Consider an unreal 179 goals in 176 games and counting, at a goal a game ratio that is just genius at any level let alone the Spanish La Liga. His career record of 302 goals in 499 games is very impressive as well.
Messi is a one man team playing for just Barcelona, so Camp Nou has become his spiritual football home. He has scored an incredible 297 goals in 361 games for the Catalan giant, an incrediable return for the little Argentine magician. Football legend Maradona once said about Messi,“He’s a leader and is offering lessons in beautiful football. He has something different to any other player in the world.” Highly regarded coach, Arsene Wenger, said, “Once he’s on the run, Messi is unstoppable. He’s the only player who can change direction at such a pace.”
Other football greats have spoken out in favour of Ronaldo. David Beckham said, “Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon and one of the best players in the world”, while Sir Alex Ferguson added that he is ”the complete player”.
We can try and split these two, but when it comes down to it and the Who is better fotballer question? I think it’s a very personal thing. While I slightly favor Leo Messi, the truth is we could go on all night and day back and forth about how great these two football giants of the game are, and pro-Ronaldo supporters would likely have every bit as strong a claim. Let’s just leave it that they are the best, “Better than all the rest” (shout out, Tina Turner). Let’s put the debate to rest and just enjoy watching these two thoroughbreds of the beautiful game grace the hollowed turf around the world for many years to come. Enjoy it because as with all things, it won’t last forever.
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