Ronaldo or Messi................who would you want?

[richart]

Seen this on a number of occasions this season. One that jumps to mind was the 4-0 away to Zaragoza in November. Xavi rested, Iniesta and Fabregas injured. Midfield that day IIRC was Busquets, Alcantara, Keita and a youth player called Fontas (who was being played out of position). The net result was a Messi goal and 2 assists.

How strong is the Spanish league these days ? All the best players seem to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Their league is becoming like the Scottish one with just two teams capable of winning the championship. Well the Scottish league until this season any way ! Just look at how far ahead the top two are compared to the rest, and also at their goal difference.

Messi's International goal scoring record is less than 1 in 3 in over 60 games, and Ronaldo just over 1 in 3 in over 80 games.

 

[GreiginFife]

Richart, Spanish Liga has never been stronger IMO, yep there is a two way fight at the top but the other teams are gathering pace. It's slightly different over there in how clubs are run and how players are bought. Look at Bilbao, nothing special in the league but have turned over Man U and Schalke over two legs and they don't sign Spaniards born outside of the Basque region.
On the International vs Club issue, seems to me that winning the Champs League is harder to do than the WC... or is that a can of worms for another day?

 

[MKDave]

Ronaldo is quality and has unbelievable tekkers but for me Messi is the better player.

 

[Captainron]

I would like to see what Messi could do in the premiership. Took Ronaldo a while to get used to it (he was young though) but look how well he did in the end. I ink that Messi does get a lot of help from the awesome team around him. I wonder how well he would do at a club without any class players like Liverpool.

 

[G1BB0]

no need to bring the (once) mighty reds into it

 

[G1BB0]

oh and Messi for me every time, gets kicked lumps out of but rarely stays down, looks ordinary for a spell then bang! drops a should or injects a bit of pace, just awesome to watch and happy to chase back aswell.

Both cracking players but would rather have Downing and Carroll over the pair of em

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Erm, why is Emile Heskey not included? oo:

I think Messi is the better player. Why? I've no idea but I prefer him to Ronaldo.

If my son decides to play football I shall ask him to watch both players though.

 

[NWJocko]

Ronaldo is one of the all time greats. For footballing skills I would put him in the same class as the likes of Pele, Maradona or George Best. Messi is in a class of his own, in my opinion, the best ever.

I agree with this.

Ronaldo is absolutely incredible and not out of place with that group of players.

Unfortunately (for him) he is playing in an era when the best of all time, by a country mile by the time his career's over I think, is also playing!

I reckon they are both going to set goalscoring records that nobody will beat for their clubs.

 

[Essex_Stu]

Has to be Messi. Cant believe how young he is still though. Im worried he might do a Ronaldinhio and be burnt out by the time hes 30 though.

 

[BluenoseGolfer]

Leon Osman?? :/

 

[Crawfy]

Messi.....and there is no need to explain it. Fact.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Messi for me. Not only will he get you goals but he's more creative than Ronaldo and so will set up others. That and Ronaldo is a winking con artist cheat

 

[Slime]

Unfortunately (for him) he is playing in an era when the best of all time, by a country mile by the time his career's over I think, is also playing!

Messi.....the best of all time?
Maradonna won a world cup ON HIS OWN. As a football player he, in my opinion, is the best of all time.

Slime.

 

[A1ex]

Did Argentina in 86 only have 1 player on the pitch?

Messi for obvious reasons, doesn't even operate as a striker yet still on course for 70 goals. Messi is just as good on the ball, creating and playing one touch stuff as Xavi or Iniesta, that says it all about his all round game.

Ronaldo is ridiculously good, any other era he'd been the stand out. Just a shame for him that whatever he can do, Messi does more and does it better.

 

[chrisd]

Messi.....the best of all time?
Maradonna won a world cup ON HIS OWN. As a football player he, in my opinion, is the best of all time.

Slime.

Maradonna better than George Best?

Not so sure thats right, although I think Messi may well be

 

[Matty]

Undeniable that both players are bursting with talent but purely based on team attitude it'd be Messi.

In a position where you can shot for a slim chance of a goal or pass for a much better chance of a goal Messi was pass and Ronaldo would shoot. In playing this way Messi will get the team more goals and more results, Ronaldo will perhaps get more personal glory.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Best player to lace up a boot in history.... MESSI!!!

 

[Piece]

I'll go against the norm and have Ronnie. It's splitting hairs but the fact that Ronaldo has done it in a different league and style of football, says he has more to offer. I guess with Messi never leaving Barca, we will never know if Messi can do the same.

Messi is one of the best club players ever. One of greatest footballers ever? Not yet.

 

[Richie13]

interesting stat comparisons between the 2 players

La Liga

Hat-tricks: Ronaldo - 7 Messi - 6

Goals (Games): Ronaldo - 40 (32) Messi - 39 (31)

Assists: Ronaldo - 11 Messi - 14

Average shots/game: Ronaldo - 6.9 Messi - 5.5

Pass % completion: Ronaldo - 80.9% Messi - 84.1%

Key Passes/game: Ronaldo - 1.6 Messi - 2.6

Successful dribbles/game: Ronaldo - 1.8 Messi - 4.8

Average dispossessed/game: Ronaldo - 1.9 Messi - 2.7

Average passes/game: Ronaldo - 37.6 Messi - 64.9

Accurate through balls/game: Ronaldo - 0.5 Messi - 1.5

% of team’s goals scored: Ronaldo 41.6 Messi - 36.6

Penalties scored: Ronaldo - 11 Messi - 5

Champions League

Goals: Ronaldo - 8 Messi - 14

Assists: Ronaldo - 2 Messi - 4

MOM awards: Ronaldo - 3 Messi - 8

Shots per Game: Ronaldo - 7.4 Messi - 7.1

Attempts on target: Ronaldo - 24 Messi - 34

Dribbles per match: Ronaldo - 2.9 Messi - 3.9

Accurate long balls/game: Ronaldo - 0.8 Messi - 1.7

Accurate through balls/game: Ronaldo - 0.4 Messi - 1.4

Fouls against: Ronaldo - 14 Messi - 23

 

[saxmaster]

Messi greatest player of all time fact!