What? You do realize you´re talking about Lionel Messi and not Craig Bellamy don´t you?
Lionel Messi
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What? You do realize you´re talking about Lionel Messi and not Craig Bellamy don´t you?
We are into the Messi vs Ronaldo era. Could be as great as Cruyff vs Beckenbauer era I reckon.
That is utter bullshit. Ronaldo is the better all round player by some distance. All Messi has over him is more natural ability on the ball.
People on here don't seem to realize how many weapons Ronaldo as player has to hurt teams. Or how good he really. That Messi simply doesn't posses.Y'all just don't get how lucky you are to see a Ronaldo in action. You'd think he was Darren Anderton and Messi was Maradona with some for the things said on here.
Yeah ... maybe I'm exaggerating a bit ... but wouldn't you agree that Ronaldo has more weapons to choose from? free-kicks, speed, dribble, pass, heading ability/height ... more complete and all round player IMO ... he scored heaps with his head last season on set pieces
All around I dont see hwo Ronnie is rated below Messi atm, I mean Messi is better at what he does, but flat out he doesnt do everything Ronaldo does
So Ronaldo's ability in the air gives him a 'superior all-around arsenal' than Messi? Bullocks. One could argue that Ronaldo is better finishing on the break than Messi, to be sure. But no one could argue that Ronaldo is more effective on the break than Messi. Ronaldo is simply a different type of player. Messi doesn't play to put himself on the end of things as Ronnie does. And to compare them is actually quite simple. First of all, Messi hasn't had a run of games on form to this point comparatively... Remember, he's years behind Ronnie. Secondly, Messi has consistently made the right choice in and around the box despite his age, even though years behind Ronnie. So quite simply, Messi(fit and on form) is a superior player to Ronaldo. By a decent margin, as I said. Messi plays with finishers(Eto'o, Henry). Ronaldo plays with creators(Rooney, Tevez, etc...) Pretty cut and dry.
What an idiot...
Ronaldo is clearly the better player based on the past couple of seasons, there isn't even any question about taht.
Who would sell Rooney, and buy Messi?
I would do that and never look back, tbh.
I wouldn't swap Rooney for any player in the world. Rooney will be what Keano was to united. In fact, if I have to choose between Rooney and Ronaldo staying, I'd choose Rooney any time.
Henry dominated against Inter but that team as a whole was on a downward spiral low in confidence, if even barcodes can force a 2-2 draw against a stronger Inter few months prior to that, I dont anything strange in Arsenal twatting him . He hatrick against Roma were oppurtunistic goals especially the freekick, cleverly taken rather being a great one. But he failed to shove off the bottler tag through out his career.
Ronaldo has also pulled in some great performances in big matches, Chelsea, Roma and against your lot in the FA cup final. His flaws like Henry is being rendered useless against organized defending and lands in the back pocket whenever he comes across a reputed full back. Ronaldo is only 23, his best is yet to come can shrug the monkey off his back if he improves in the next three or four years but Henry would always remain the beacon light of missing out when it really matters most.
Well last night Messi was good. To be honest it wasn't his best performance because despite the score line seville handled the lad well. They were so tight to him and basically tried to force him out of the game and it worked for certain periods and he certainly wasn't getting it his own way.
People talk about his freedom on the pitch, perhaps but i think it was a tactical decision by Pep to play Messi through the middle after being so well subdued in the first half.
Still the finish for his first and the mannor of his second showed his qualities. And his all round play was for the most part what people have come to expect.
People talk about his freedom on the pitch, perhaps but i think it was a tactical decision by Pep to play Messi through the middle after being so well subdued in the first half.
Still the finish for his first and the mannor of his second showed his qualities. And his all round play was for the most part what people have come to expect.
That's because you're a Rooney fanboy.
That's because you're a Rooney fanboy.
I like Rooney but he isn't comparable to Messi. For a while i thought Rooney could truely become the best player in the world but i don't see it happening anymore. Still it could! but to be honest i don't think it will. Still a fantastic player.
Nobody is arguing that Rooney is the better player. Messi on current form is a few levels ahead, but I'd still choose Rooney. Personal choice. I wouldn't swap Ronaldo for Messi either and definitely wouldn't have swapped Keano for Zizou or any other midfielder in the world.
Of course that is bollocks. Not every on is as blind as you are to Ronaldo's abilities. Ronaldo is not only superior in the air. He is totally two footed unlike Messi. Stronger unlike Messi. Big unlike Messi. A better finisher. Crosses better. Moves better than any other player in world football too. Is better at free kicks. Better at shooting. The only thing Messi is better than him at is dribbling and creating. Yet even creatively and dribbling wise Ronaldo is no slouch either. You Messi fan boys are so blinded by his natural talents on the ball that it makes you forget what Ronaldo actually beats Messi at.
How silly. Ronaldo is the better finisher period. That is why he scores more season in season out. It has nothing to do with "on the break" or whatever
That's frankly bollocks and a lousy excuse. Firstly you are speaking as if Ronaldo beats Messi by 5 years. When he only beat him by 2. Secondly, Messi has never been off form in his short career . Only injured. & his top flight career has been as long as the period in which Ronaldo has been on fire.
That's literally the dumbest thing I've read for ages. Rooney used to even make better decision than Messi at that age. Yet Ronaldo right now is better than him. You're talking out your arse. Messi has never lost form at any point in his short career. So this fit an on form argument is utter hogwash. Ronaldo on top form is a better all round player than him. It's that simple. It's not even debatable.
So according to you all Ronaldo does is hunt for goals because he plays with Creators, offers nothing creatively to United and is just a glorified Michael Owen?
First off E'too, and Henry are two of the most creative central forwards around. Not to mention the fact Messi plays infront of Xavi and Iniesta. Two creative geniuses. Alongside Hleb and used to play alongside Ronaldinho. So he really has no excuse as to why he can't score as much as Ronaldo. If he is truly "better" as you claim. Claiming Ronaldo plays with more creative forwards or players in comparisons is a true fallacy.
Furthermore lets look at their league stats over the last 3 seasons:
Messi
2005/06 17 league appearances 6 goals 2 assists
2006/2007 26 league appreances 14 goals 2 assists
2007/2008 28 league apreances 10 goals 12 assists
2008/2009 (so far) 11 league appearances 9 goals 6 assists (Messi is on to form)
Ronaldo
2005/06 33 league apperances 9 goals 6 assists
2007/06 34 league appearances 17 goals 14 assists
2007/08 34 league appearrances 31 goals 7 assists
2008/09 (so far) 10 league appearances 8 goals 3 assists. (Ronaldo not on top form)
Seeing the stats above. Bearing in mind Ronaldo is in a more physical league and is by far the most fouled in it. Please show your basis for saying Messi is the better player. Not merely the better natural talent.
Hes the one player i think would replace Ronaldo. Theres little to say about him, hes ripping teams apart for fun. Hes just always had that something special about him, one of those that seemed destined for greatness. Even last night, he had a poor game up until the last 20 minutes where he came to life and bagged two goals in a big big game.
Chief, this season theres little comparison. Messi has run teams ragged, hes consistantly torn defenses apart. Ronaldo's just getting the odd goals here and there, he isnt actually playing very well.
I actually think in terms of quality of football, and NOT end product, Ronaldo was at his best two seasons back. There were games when he was dropping deep cutting in and dominating teams. Not with his goals but just with his close control, trickery and interplay. Now its almost all about strength pace and goals. That was a fun time with Ronaldo, if he added that to what hes doing now, he would be even better.
I actually think in terms of quality of football, and NOT end product, Ronaldo was at his best two seasons back. There were games when he was dropping deep cutting in and dominating teams. Not with his goals but just with his close control, trickery and interplay. Now its almost all about strength pace and goals. That was a fun time with Ronaldo, if he added that to what hes doing now, he would be even better.
amol, dunno where to start but goals, assists and other stuff are not the only yardsticks in rating a footballer. Xavi is currently one of the best in the world if not the best yet had he played in the premiership he would've hardly won even a player of the month award inspite of devastating performances he puts up every week.
In 2005/06 season Messi was used few and far between,yet whenever he was played he tore every other team apart, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Villareal, Juventus, Bayern, Werder to name a few. He was up there with Fat Ronaldo in his pomp but Barca didn't break any world record to buy him and they had the luxury to wrap him under wool and play him selectively, rather lashing him out in full flow and burning him in due course.
In 06/07 he single handedly carried Barca to the brink of a La Liga win even with both Ronaldinho and Eto crocked up although he missed nearly three months of the season due to injury.
True from 06 to 08 Ronaldo got a phenomenal goal haul, when Messi was carrying injuries and frequently missing midseason matches but its not a factor to guage and conclude Ronaldo is a better footballer than Messi although he had better seasons for all apparent reasons.
In 07/08 even though he carried injuries he was devastating when ever he was match fit.
As for fouls, Messi's long injury list speaks for itself, From 2005 he was the most fouled player in the La Liga even with Ronaldinho around and his Best like ability to glide through the tackles makes his case even worse, it takes a very hard well timed tackle to cut him to two, unlike Ronaldo who can be easily hacked even without tackling.
Ronaldo might have the more foul count, some nasty ones... partly for the reason he goes down rather easily, but it takes a very hard foul to shove Messi off the ball or it takes some doing even to foul him properly as his low centre of gravity and ability to evade tackles and move the ball in tight spaces, makes life tough for defenders and it sums up the time he has spent in the physio room so far.
There isnt another 18 or 19 year old footballer barring Fat Ronaldo, Giggs and now Messi who can blow away teams playing their natural game with authority. Goals and Assists are just the by products, cannot reflect the actual joy in watching a footballer like Messi play.
In 2005/06 season Messi was used few and far between,yet whenever he was played he tore every other team apart, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Villareal, Juventus, Bayern, Werder to name a few. He was up there with Fat Ronaldo in his pomp but Barca didn't break any world record to buy him and they had the luxury to wrap him under wool and play him selectively, rather lashing him out in full flow and burning him in due course.
In 06/07 he single handedly carried Barca to the brink of a La Liga win even with both Ronaldinho and Eto crocked up although he missed nearly three months of the season due to injury.
True from 06 to 08 Ronaldo got a phenomenal goal haul, when Messi was carrying injuries and frequently missing midseason matches but its not a factor to guage and conclude Ronaldo is a better footballer than Messi although he had better seasons for all apparent reasons.
In 07/08 even though he carried injuries he was devastating when ever he was match fit.
As for fouls, Messi's long injury list speaks for itself, From 2005 he was the most fouled player in the La Liga even with Ronaldinho around and his Best like ability to glide through the tackles makes his case even worse, it takes a very hard well timed tackle to cut him to two, unlike Ronaldo who can be easily hacked even without tackling.
Ronaldo might have the more foul count, some nasty ones... partly for the reason he goes down rather easily, but it takes a very hard foul to shove Messi off the ball or it takes some doing even to foul him properly as his low centre of gravity and ability to evade tackles and move the ball in tight spaces, makes life tough for defenders and it sums up the time he has spent in the physio room so far.
There isnt another 18 or 19 year old footballer barring Fat Ronaldo, Giggs and now Messi who can blow away teams playing their natural game with authority. Goals and Assists are just the by products, cannot reflect the actual joy in watching a footballer like Messi play.
Chief, it's not as if I don't rate Ronnie. But say what you will, Messi is the superior player as every time he hits the pitch even when returning from injury he is involved and dangerous. The best player on the pitch in every match I've seen him. This cannot be said for Ronaldo. I fail to see where you're coming from. Messi carves teams up at will. His close control is unparalleled in world football. But since Ronaldo has size and strength giving him the versatility to be an ineffective, makeshift striker I reckon you think he's the better 'all-around player'? They're both more effective on the flank. In fact, Ronaldo's scoring record of late seems to be a great hindrance to his all-around game these days. Doesn't seem too interested in being an effective out-and-out winger.
Ronaldo had another lacklustre performance whilst Messi put in another match winning one. Even last season i thought a lot of lacklustre Ronaldo performances were masked by his goal scoring exploits.
Chief is right enough that Ronaldo is better in the air, two footed, bigger, stronger and faster. Is he a better finisher? Maybe, they have similar goal scoring per game in their careers.
Understand that Messi is pretty much 3 years Ronaldos junior having just recently turned 21 whilst Ronaldo in a month or two will turn 24. This season Messi has been outstanding, too good for any opposition put in front of him. He is only two goals shy of matching is pervious personal best for a season in terms of goals and it isn't even january.
But Messis game isn't even about goals. He creates so much with his dribbling, passing and movement and that is what makes him a special player. Ronaldo is two footed, faster, stronger and possibly a better finisher however Messi is better with the ball at his feet, a better passer, better at link up, a better team player, more creative and more likely to single handedly make things happen for himself of his team mates and these things for me make him a better footballer than the more rounded Ronaldo.
Chief is right enough that Ronaldo is better in the air, two footed, bigger, stronger and faster. Is he a better finisher? Maybe, they have similar goal scoring per game in their careers.
Understand that Messi is pretty much 3 years Ronaldos junior having just recently turned 21 whilst Ronaldo in a month or two will turn 24. This season Messi has been outstanding, too good for any opposition put in front of him. He is only two goals shy of matching is pervious personal best for a season in terms of goals and it isn't even january.
But Messis game isn't even about goals. He creates so much with his dribbling, passing and movement and that is what makes him a special player. Ronaldo is two footed, faster, stronger and possibly a better finisher however Messi is better with the ball at his feet, a better passer, better at link up, a better team player, more creative and more likely to single handedly make things happen for himself of his team mates and these things for me make him a better footballer than the more rounded Ronaldo.
You can talk goals or ou can talk what a player does as far as the team is concerned.
This season when messi has played barca have scored a goal every 25mins. When he hasn't they score every 71mins. That tells you more about the worth Messi has to his team than simple goal and assist statistics will. He is a presence on the pitch and actually makes the whole team play better.
Messi has been the better player than Ronaldo this season, that's obvious.
A lot of that also has to do with the Barca team playing very well. United have struggled to get out of 3rd gear this season.
A lot of that also has to do with the Barca team playing very well. United have struggled to get out of 3rd gear this season.
comes down to one thing
attitude
attitude
Barca are attacking well thanks to Messi, he makes things work for them.He's carrying them
These players have nothing on John Oster unfotunately.
Whenever Messi played last season, Barca played. Check his form up until he was first injured. He was the best player on the planet. After his injury Barca went to shit, they were awful. Then when he came back he was carrying a lousy performing Barca. Even in the CL semis he had to do everything himself. Despite being straight back from injury.
So the excuse that Messi is playing well because Barca are is moot.
He doesn't deserve the Ballon d'or but he's certainly the best player in the world when he plays, in my view. He's too talented for any other player to compare really.
So the excuse that Messi is playing well because Barca are is moot.
He doesn't deserve the Ballon d'or but he's certainly the best player in the world when he plays, in my view. He's too talented for any other player to compare really.
What comes down to attitude?
The likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Etoo happen to be quite good at football as well if you haven't noticed.
Don't United have good players too? possibly the worlds best defensive partnership. One of the best full backs. Midfielders like Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Nani and Park. And forwards the calibre of Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov.
Xavi, Iniesta and Etoo are top class though Etoo was rank last season, a shadow of his former and newer self.
FFS. And you think that is not underrating Ronaldo? Did you actually read a thing of what I actually posted? OR are you so beyond pigheaded you think I only talked about Ronaldo being stronger?
Furthermore Messi is equally as comfortable as Ronaldo as a striker. Just not as devestating. But so what? Ronaldo like Messi is a winger. So that striker jibe of yours just shows the depth of disrepsect you actually have for Ronaldo. For Ronaldo is a winger who scores goals. Not a "make shift striker". & he has more to his game than any other winger in world football.
The only thing of sense you've said so far about Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is just not on top form. Looking for goals hasn't hindered him one bit, VS Villareal for example, he was every where in attack. On either flank, constantly giving us width while curving out openings to shoot on goal or created chances for temamates who wasted them much to his annoyance. .
So what? He is at the top of his game. Ronaldo isn't even close to top form but has as almost as many goals. & 3 + assists this season But you want to convince everyone Ronaldo is not the superior finisher of the two.
And Ronaldo is? Do you ever realise what Ronaldo actually brings to United's attack when on form and how we tend to look lost when it isn't there?
Do you really even know what all round footballer is?Have you even once been watching Ronaldo at all of the last few years without blinkers on?
Where have you been when Ronaldo's has single handedly won us game or saved us from defeat out of his own brilliance, over the last 3 seasons? Or score goals out of nothing?
Or helped us become one of the deadliest counter attacking unit in world football, which requires both top notch link up and team play to be possible?
Furthermore did you ever notice the link up play he had going with Tevez and Rooney last season, a major bed rock for our success, that you're so sure Messi does it better?
And a better team player? Geez. Do you actually ever realise how much Ronaldo works for the United team? Constantly trying to pull us ahead in games? No matter how he is kicked? The energy he always expounds for the team cause? Even tracking back at full tilt, when it isn't close to being strength of his, to defenc our goal?
Last but not least has it EVER occurred to you how Ronaldo is literally superior in movement to any player plying his trade in world football today? That his movement is one of the reasons we score and create loads as team?
Honestly, to occurring to me some of you will never give Ronaldo the time of day. Simply because he is not as natural on the ball as Messi.
Exactly claiming Messi singlehandedly carries Barcelona would be as silly as saying Ronaldo carries United. Both are great players who take their teams to a higher level when they're playing.
Players who so far this season are mostly not close in form to those belonging to Barca. Barca as a team have been in devasting form. As has been their commander in chief, Messi.
Spot on
Chief, two things:
1. How come Messi's goals per game record is better than Ronaldo even though he's clearly a better finisher? Ronaldo gets in better positions, he's not a better finisher.
2. Having more to his game doesn't mean Ronaldo's a better player. It's how you use your abilities not how big your rang of abilities is. And Messi and Ronaldo are quite close in how they use their abilities to the best effect.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo his biggest asset means he relies on the rest of the team playing well to allow him to play at his peak, whereas Messi's biggest asset allows him to play well even when the rest of the team isn't.
1. How come Messi's goals per game record is better than Ronaldo even though he's clearly a better finisher? Ronaldo gets in better positions, he's not a better finisher.
2. Having more to his game doesn't mean Ronaldo's a better player. It's how you use your abilities not how big your rang of abilities is. And Messi and Ronaldo are quite close in how they use their abilities to the best effect.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo his biggest asset means he relies on the rest of the team playing well to allow him to play at his peak, whereas Messi's biggest asset allows him to play well even when the rest of the team isn't.
Ronaldo has many more shots on goal than Messi, to achieve an inferior goal ratio too... I think I'd seperate them this way. With the ball at his feet, I'd rather have Messi shooting for me. Running onto the ball, be it to connect with head or feet, I'd rather have Ronaldo. Either way, its still pretty bloody likely they're gunna score if they and the ball are near the goal!!! And I know which one I want to score, given he's wearing the colours of United...
It's no great disgrace to admit Messi is the better of the two right now. Because it's almost daft to argue anything else. I think the problem for Ronaldo is that more and more, he's gunna be required to play as an out and out winger with Rooney and Berbatov playing up front. And while dangerous, he isn't the same player when he's out there rather than able to roam or move up front, and certainly can't repeat a haul of 42 goals
It's no great disgrace to admit Messi is the better of the two right now. Because it's almost daft to argue anything else. I think the problem for Ronaldo is that more and more, he's gunna be required to play as an out and out winger with Rooney and Berbatov playing up front. And while dangerous, he isn't the same player when he's out there rather than able to roam or move up front, and certainly can't repeat a haul of 42 goals
I've already posted the stats about when Messi is in the team and not this season. I will reiterate Messis importance to barcelona once more.
When Messi has been on the park Barca have scored every 25mins. When Messi isn't on the park Barca have scored every 71mins.
Now that is despite Barca being in such fine form, such fine form that when Messi isn't on the park the team isn't in such devistating form.
Is he a better finisher? In a one on one situation i would put my money on both to put it away however i do think Ronaldo can be much more deadly in a shooting situation, a one on one i would honestly back Messi but in most other situations i would take Ronaldo. However they have a very simelar goals to games ratio and you ahve to take into account how often Ronaldo shoots (more than any other United player).
I understand fully what Ronaldo brings to United.
Have you even once been watching Ronaldo at all of the last few years withoiut blinkers on?
Where have you been when Ronaldo's has single handledly won us game or saved us from defeat out of his own brilliance, oevr the last 3 seasons? Or score goals out of nothing?
I watch Ronaldo like any other player, i'll be critical when i feel he isn't performing and i'll give praise when i think it's deserved. And yes obviously there are games when Ronaldo has single handedly made the difference. Be it a penalty, a free kick, a header from a corner. A run and shot from outside the box. To be honest i think there were more times when Ronaldo single handedly did it in the season before last. That's just my opinion though.
The pace and power of Uniteds front players and the diligence of the midfield allow you to become the great counter attackers no doubt Ronaldo has pace to burn and is a big part of that.
I would say Messi links play better than Ronaldo but i guess that is because he is linking with Xavi, Iniesta and Etoo all the time...
Ronaldo chooses when to work for the team. If he feels it is unjust he wont be getting up to chase back, he will wave his hands. There is no doubt in my mind that Messi wins the ball more than Ronaldo does for Barca. He will spread the play and ease preasure when needed. These are things i consider to be good team play and Messi works very hard for the team.
Ronaldo is still one of the best players on the ball in world football. His movement is very good, he makes great runs and gets himself into great positions but i wouldnt say his movement is superior to any player in world football.
You seem to confuse thinking Messi is a better player with having some sort of vendetta against Ronaldo. Ronaldo is the world footballer of the year and a very deserving one at that.
I assume you're joking.The guy struggles to spot a pass let alone execute it,more often than not it falls short or gets intercepted easily when he tries a telling pass,sure he gets a few here and there but there are literally hundreds out there who have a better eye than him when it comes to passing.Messi is very intelligent in this area,he's very quick to pick a team-mate out and has excellent judgement.
Ofcourse Ronaldo's a fantastic dribbler but even a blind man will tell you he comes no where near Messi when it comes to beating,skinning and taking on players.
I know i'll get a lot of stick for this,but Ronaldo is easily the best and most efficient player when it comes to dealing with the worst defender,there's no one else in the world who can punish and torture the defender like him but as the level of defenders start improving his effectiveness starts decreasing continuing till it reaches fast defenders like cole and clichy where his only hope is poping in the box to score to mask his non-existant display.Btw i'm not having a dig at him.
Ronaldo deserves every award this season for his accomplishments but there's no doubt who the better player is.Ask 90% of non united fans and they'll tell you Messi is better without even thinking,i'm not talking about liverpool or chelsea fans but globally,heck even about 10-20% of united or portugese fans will argue that ronaldo is equal or better but conclude saying messi is better,you will find it next to impossible to find a barca or argentinian fan saying ronaldo is better,simply because that's not the truth and the worst part of it is Messi hardly played a 3-4 months last season and still,still is touted as the best even though we have ronaldo scoring 42 goals and winning every trophy,tell you everything you need to know about him.
What people here are not taking into account is that, for an attacking player, dribbling and beating your man is the most dangerous thing that you can possibly do to a defence. When a player is beaten, the team shifts positions in order to cover for the man; this opens up a massive amount of room comparitively. This is particularly dangerous when you have a good passer on the ball to exploit the situation.
Messi, in terms of dribbling and close control over a football, is obviously unrivalled, and is a truly fantastic passer of the ball. He absolutely shits over Ronaldo in these aspects. His decision making is also years ahead of where it should be, which equates to one hell of a player. When Messi is on form, the opposition defence is literally all over the place due to the havoc that he can cause it. This doesn't just leave room for Messi to exploit....
It's all well and good saying that Ronaldo is better in the air, better finisher, two footed, etc, yet he is not as dangerous as Messi when it comes to opening up a defence. I don't believe it's as simple as "Messi is a better dribbler and passer, but Ronaldo's better at heading, finishing, etc", and I wouldn't think it'd be outrageous to suggest that there is some sort of hierarchy in regards to these attacking attributes. Dribbling is the single most damaging asset for an attacking player, in my opinion, and Messi is phenomenal at it. When was the last time we saw Ronaldo regularly take control of football matches and dominate them? 2006/07 is the answer, when he used to beat his man with the use of sheer power and agility. Ronaldo is a different animal now, albeit a fecking brilliant one in terms of productivity. However, I can't help watching him and yearning for those attributes that originally drew comparisons with Best.
Perhaps it really is just preference; Ronaldo is the complete forward, Messi is a magician. It depends on whether you want a player who can win a match, or a player who can dictate it. I'd take the latter every single time, and it's why I'd take an on-form Rooney over Ronaldo also.
Messi, in terms of dribbling and close control over a football, is obviously unrivalled, and is a truly fantastic passer of the ball. He absolutely shits over Ronaldo in these aspects. His decision making is also years ahead of where it should be, which equates to one hell of a player. When Messi is on form, the opposition defence is literally all over the place due to the havoc that he can cause it. This doesn't just leave room for Messi to exploit....
It's all well and good saying that Ronaldo is better in the air, better finisher, two footed, etc, yet he is not as dangerous as Messi when it comes to opening up a defence. I don't believe it's as simple as "Messi is a better dribbler and passer, but Ronaldo's better at heading, finishing, etc", and I wouldn't think it'd be outrageous to suggest that there is some sort of hierarchy in regards to these attacking attributes. Dribbling is the single most damaging asset for an attacking player, in my opinion, and Messi is phenomenal at it. When was the last time we saw Ronaldo regularly take control of football matches and dominate them? 2006/07 is the answer, when he used to beat his man with the use of sheer power and agility. Ronaldo is a different animal now, albeit a fecking brilliant one in terms of productivity. However, I can't help watching him and yearning for those attributes that originally drew comparisons with Best.
Perhaps it really is just preference; Ronaldo is the complete forward, Messi is a magician. It depends on whether you want a player who can win a match, or a player who can dictate it. I'd take the latter every single time, and it's why I'd take an on-form Rooney over Ronaldo also.
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