Keep an eye out for the conflict of the goliaths — Messi versus Ronaldo. Dive deep into their details, playing styles, and stunning professions. Who will make an enduring heritage?
Messi and Argentina proceeded to win Copa America 2024, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were beaten in the quarterfinals during Euro 2024.
Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo – Who is best?
It is an impossible question to answer in the Football world. Football fans worldwide have been making subjective analyses for years over who is best. But it is never going to help solve this mystery, even though they both are legendary football players with very distinct personalities.
Both are all-time leading scorers for their national teams.
While some believe Lionel Messi is the world’s best player, you can never write off the Portuguese ‘One Man Army.’ Over the past decade, Cristiano and Lionel Messi have racked up the most individual awards, despite now being 38 years old and 36 years old, respectively.
But the question remains: Which one in this fierce professional rivalry comes out on top and why? Who is better, Messi or Ronaldo? Or is it even viable to compare them? Let’s find out.
Messi vs Ronaldo Stats and Comparison of Goal, Trophies
| Lionel Messi | Cristiano Ronaldo | |
| Nationality | Argentina | Portugal |
| Club | Inter Miami | Al-Nassr |
| International Appearances | 187 | 212 |
| International Goals | 109 | 130 |
| International Trophies | 4 | 2 |
| Club Appearances | 882 | 1019 |
| Club Goals | 729 | 765 |
| Club Trophies | 39 | 33 |
| Hat tricks | 57 | 66 |
| Ballon d’Or | 8 | 5 |
| Total Goals | 838 | 895 |
Ronaldo vs Messi: Early Struggle and Youth Career
As a kid born and raised in central Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency. After relocating to Spain and joining Barcelona at age 13, the club agreed to pay for his treatment.
Since then, the kid has not looked back. From making his competitive debut at age 17 to winning his first Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Player of the Year Award at 22, the young Argentine was in the limelight at the very early stages of his career.
His counterpart, ‘Cristiano dos Santos Aveiro,’ was born in the islands of Madeira in a poor family where ends meet was their daily struggle. Ronaldo was diagnosed with a racing heart at the age of 15.
After undergoing a successful operation, young Ronaldo joined Sporting CP to kick start his senior club career before joining Manchester United in 2003, aged 18.
He helped the team win three consecutive Premier League titles before winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year at the age of 23.
In the battle of Messi vs Cristiano: To date, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award a record 8 times while on the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo has won 5 times.
Ronaldo vs Messi: Style of Play
Messi and Cristiano differ primarily in their style of play. The Argentine is a virtuoso, a magician with the ball at his feet. Short in stature, he has a low center of gravity, helping him switch lines and increase his pace.
It usually is a nightmare for defenders as they cannot cope with the quick turn of speed. Along with this, his dribbling skills are among the best the game has ever seen. Another eye-catching attribute of his game is his passing and shooting.
The Portuguese, on the other hand, is a bit different. One would say he doesn’t possess the same magic Messi does. However, Ronaldo is tall, strong, and athletic.
With Ronaldo on the ground, the game becomes faster, stronger, physical, and more dynamic than ever. Ronaldo’s combination of physical and technical attributes might give him an edge in this Ronaldo vs Messi battle. Ronaldo is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Ronaldo vs Messi: ‘Talent’ vs ’Hard work’
One of the main debatable topics while comparing these legends is Messi’s ‘Talent’ vs Cristiano’s ‘Hard work.’ Ronaldo, a very skinny boy in his early days, has shown the world how hard work and determination lead to an amazing and unexpected transformation. In today’s time, the Portuguese is one of the fittest footballers in the world.
Messi’s physical attributes of being a direct runner, good in the air, and minimum time on the sidelines are something to envy.
In his early days, the Argentine wasn’t the best at taking free kicks. But, over the years, he has become the best free-kick taker and playmaker in the world.
On the whole, there’s no talent without hard work and no hard work without talent. Uncompromised hard work, dedication, and talent make a player great, and that separates these giants from the rest of the footballing crowd and makes them one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Conclusion: Who is better Messi or Ronaldo?
It isn’t easy to conclude this Ronaldo vs Messi debate or comparison because there shouldn’t be one.
We should be blessed to live in an era where we can watch two of the greatest players ever grace the pitch and go neck to neck against each other.
Succeeding individually and with their respective teams while having supremely different styles of play is what makes them great.
Both these players are a blessing to the individuals playing fantasy football leagues. Goals and assists for a striker are the bread and butter in terms of fantasy football points.
FAQs
Who is better Messi Or Ronaldo?
Cristiano has scored more record number of global objectives and appearances, while Messi has more Ballon d’Or grant champs with 8. Messi invested the vast majority of his playing energy in Spain and France. Conversely, Ronaldo has played in Portugal, Britain, Spain, and Italy.
Who is No. 1 Messi or Ronaldo?
Messi has won more titles, majorly with Barcelona. Messi played for arguably the best Barcelona side to ever play the game. During the same period, Cristiano Ronaldo took his skills and talent to Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus in hopes of finding success and winning trophies.
Who is the GOAT Of Football?
Discussion of the GOAT in football will lead to a debate that never stops, but in the recent past, the debate has reduced to being between two players, either Cristiano or Messi. Every expert or football fanatic has their side on whether Messi or Ronaldo should be the GOAT of football.
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