Messi v Ronaldo | Contains double your daily salt allowance

[RedTillI'mDead]

Ronaldo hasn't scored in one either. Messi however has four assists in the KO stage. Ronaldo hasn't scored at all, neither assists nor goals. Not that it matters, it is just an unimportant fact that's worth nothing without context.

I'm not sure if Messi is the greatest of all time, I have never really seen the likes of Pele, Puskas, Di Stefano etc. play and the existing footage isn't enough to judge. But in my opinion, he is definitely the best I have seen. Especially his peak wasn't reached by anyone in the game.

You make a fair argument, at least its balanced.

The reason I get so impassioned is because Messi fan boys make out at times like Ronaldo is sunday league in comparison and yet by the end of this year he will most likely be taking over Messi for the highest number of Balon Dors

 

[Dr. StrangeHate]

Ronaldo has been phenomenal for most part of this year, and in some biggest game in this WC.

Yia but CL is the only thing that counts other than the world cup as Ronaldo hasn't won any thing else. There is a reason for the past two seasons he only starts playing his best after the new year, because the 7 matches of the CL decide the Ballon d'Or.

 

[Theon]

At their peaks there’s no doubts in my mind Messi was the better player. I still think he’s the best footballer of all time, with Ronaldo probably making the top five.

With that being said I think it’s clear Ronaldo has a significant edge in the metal aspects of the game - and it’s exactly that mental edge and determination that you need when you’re grabbing a game by the scruff and dragging a team through single-handedly. There were too many moments in which Messi was a passenger this tournament, and you don’t really get that with Ronaldo. Even when he’s stood up top waiting for the ball he’ll never stop making runs or threatening in behind.

And possibly more importantly he’ll never stop being engaged with the game - even when it’s throwing his arms around and getting irritated you always get the feeling with Ronaldo that he’s 100% committed and engaged with the match and his teammates. Messi is the complete opposite of times - though he was still clearly the better player.

 

[wub1234]

They aren't compared with the likes of Denilson. Pele was arguably as good as them on club's level, and miles better in World Cups. If Di Stefano had matched Pele in WC, then in all likelihood he would have been rated as the greatest ever. Had Best played a good world cup, he would likely been put on pair with Cruyff, etc etc.

I know you're supposed to respect the players of the past, and all that. But if you go back and watch videos of the 1958 World Cup that Pele played in (or even the 1966 World Cup that England won) the standard is dreadful. I know the ball is different, but realistically if either Messi or Ronaldo went back and played at that time then they would be the best in the world by a country mile. I mean, the standard is sh*te. The 1970 Brazil team was the first team, in my opinion, to play anything approaching modern football, and consequently they won every game in that tournament.

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion. And I personally think Ronaldo is a bit overrated at present, despite being a brilliant goalscorer, but I shudder to think how many he would have scored in the 1950s.

 

[Ishdalar]

I just think Messi fan boys make out like everyone else is a mile away from Messi. And the level of blindness is what I call the level of overrating

Who else has such a big level of blind rating, with literally no appreciation for the competition.

So yes I'm talking relatively and yes Messi still top 3 of which I wouldn't even bother trying to say whose better because circumstances are too different when trying to separate at that level.

What Messi isn't is in a league of his own and entirely untouchable as the Messi Brigade argue.

Relatively, it's the perfomance standards put on him what sets him a mile away from the rest.

The game today, it wasn't a top 200 game in his career, he didn't light up France in any way, still he contributed a lot with just a few glimpses and you could see him and Di Maria were miles above any other player on their team, yet the game ends and he had a stinker and is a fraud in World Cups. Any other player in the world would get a pass today if you don't wrap the other 10 players with the Albiceleste and put an Argentina badge in their chest.

 

[wub1234]

With that being said I think it’s clear Ronaldo has a significant edge in the metal aspects of the game - and it’s exactly that mental edge and determination that you need when you’re grabbing a game by the scruff and dragging a team through single-handedly. There were too many moments in which Messi was a passenger this tournament, and you don’t really get that with Ronaldo. Even when he’s stood up top waiting for the ball he’ll never stop making runs or threatening in behind.

Ronaldo is a passenger in virtually every game that he doesn't score. He was a passenger in the Champions League final. Sometimes he's worse than a passenger, he becomes a liability, berating his team-mates when they have the temerity to score a goal!

That's just my opinion, of course.

 

[MDFC Manager]

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion.

You speak some absolute waffle, but my word this is absolutely incredible

 

[Vidyoyo]

At their peaks there’s no doubts in my mind Messi was the better player. I still think he’s the best footballer of all time, with Ronaldo probably making the top five.

With that being said I think it’s clear Ronaldo has a significant edge in the metal aspects of the game - and it’s exactly that mental edge and determination that you need when you’re grabbing a game by the scruff and dragging a team through single-handedly. There were too many moments in which Messi was a passenger this tournament, and you don’t really get that with Ronaldo. Even when he’s stood up top waiting for the ball he’ll never stop making runs or threatening in behind.

And possibly more importantly he’ll never stop being engaged with the game - even when it’s throwing his arms around and getting irritated you always get the feeling with Ronaldo that he’s 100% committed and engaged with the match and his teammates. Messi is the complete opposite of times - though he was still clearly the better player.

Good post. I never venture into this thread but it does seem like Messi is the best footballer when taking individual aspects into account, whereas Ronaldo is the better footballer taking into account that it's a competitive team game. I'm not saying Messi doesn't inspire or drive others but he strikes me as a much more class act when thought of in isolation, which is distinctly different to Ronaldo who strikes me as somebody who uses his individual strengths for the benefit of, and to help drive, the team.

I guess this is where the debate comes from. Which type of thing do people value more, etc. Messi is magic. Ronaldo is lethal. Rojo is God.

 

[Sandikan]

At their peaks there’s no doubts in my mind Messi was the better player. I still think he’s the best footballer of all time, with Ronaldo probably making the top five.

With that being said I think it’s clear Ronaldo has a significant edge in the metal aspects of the game - and it’s exactly that mental edge and determination that you need when you’re grabbing a game by the scruff and dragging a team through single-handedly. There were too many moments in which Messi was a passenger this tournament, and you don’t really get that with Ronaldo. Even when he’s stood up top waiting for the ball he’ll never stop making runs or threatening in behind.

And possibly more importantly he’ll never stop being engaged with the game - even when it’s throwing his arms around and getting irritated you always get the feeling with Ronaldo that he’s 100% committed and engaged with the match and his teammates. Messi is the complete opposite of times - though he was still clearly the better player.

History rewards brilliance over a career, as otherwise Ronaldinho or someone would be rated the best ever.
Ronaldo is on 4 of the last 5 Ballon D'ors, and has got to be ahead of Messi for the next one too. He's won the European cup with Portugal and won 5 European club cups too.
He's on course to rank higher than Messi overall as it stands. However, it's up for grabs as Messi does have another 2 years on him age wise.

 

[Sandikan]

Ronaldo is a passenger in virtually every game that he doesn't score. He was a passenger in the Champions League final. Sometimes he's worse than a passenger, he becomes a liability, berating his team-mates when they have the temerity to score a goal!

That's just my opinion, of course.

You know that's not many games right,

 

[Ishdalar]

I know you're supposed to respect the players of the past, and all that. But if you go back and watch videos of the 1958 World Cup that Pele played in (or even the 1966 World Cup that England won) the standard is dreadful. I know the ball is different, but realistically if either Messi or Ronaldo went back and played at that time then they would be the best in the world by a country mile. I mean, the standard is sh*te. The 1970 Brazil team was the first team, in my opinion, to play anything approaching modern football, and consequently they won every game in that tournament.

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion. And I personally think Ronaldo is a bit overrated at present, despite being a brilliant goalscorer, but I shudder to think how many he would have scored in the 1950s.

This pitch

Spoiler

This ball

Spoiler

Just talking about Messi, he loses like 30% of his technical prowess when he has to play in a bad pitch, I can't imagine any footballer looking better than Pelé with the grass you'd feed to the cows and a brick for ball.

 

[Sandikan]

I know you're supposed to respect the players of the past, and all that. But if you go back and watch videos of the 1958 World Cup that Pele played in (or even the 1966 World Cup that England won) the standard is dreadful. I know the ball is different, but realistically if either Messi or Ronaldo went back and played at that time then they would be the best in the world by a country mile. I mean, the standard is sh*te. The 1970 Brazil team was the first team, in my opinion, to play anything approaching modern football, and consequently they won every game in that tournament.

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion. And I personally think Ronaldo is a bit overrated at present, despite being a brilliant goalscorer, but I shudder to think how many he would have scored in the 1950s.

You're making the quite amazing mistake of thinking you can compare eras!
The game is completely different these days.

Today's game is also the hardest to be a good defender in, it's all set up for the attackers benefit.
You used to be able to waste time playing it to the keeper to pick up. Or absolutely smash attackers, and got get sent off. Not to mention the less quality pitches, and the old style views on nutrition and fitness.

You really can't compare eras.

 

[Revan]

Fair enough, honestly both of them are close to inseperable but it's tiresome that people have to attack each player with false over the top statements to score points. Both are incredible but I would never expect one player to be able to win a tournament on their own.

It goes 2 ways. If Portugal lose tonight watch the knives come out for Ronnie too.

Portugal are not exactly Argentina, so Ronaldo didn't have the same platform as Messi (bar in 2006 when Portugal was really strong but Ronaldo was still very young), but yes, the same criticism for Ronaldo should be on the road if they crash today.

 

[SirAF]

The stage is set..

 

[MadMike]

Not much talk of Rojo now

 

[Zehner]

You make a fair argument, at least its balanced.

The reason I get so impassioned is because Messi fan boys make out at times like Ronaldo is sunday league in comparison and yet by the end of this year he will most likely be taking over Messi for the highest number of Balon Dors

I understand that this annoys you but you have to consider that the guy that provoked you was probably provoked by someone who belittled Messi in the first place by saying something like "he disappears in the big games" or such nonsense. And this guy was probably provoked by someone who downplayed Ronaldo again. And now you say something to downplay Messi and again someone else gets triggered.

We should simply stop downplaying the player in order to make our favourite look better. Ronaldo seems to get the better of Messi in terms of trophies and achievements and if that's what makes the greatest for you, fair enough. But for me, prime Ronaldo is nowhere near Messi ability-wise just like the current Cristiano simply isn't as good of a player as Messi is when you take a look at their skills and overall contribution. I don't really care how many trophies they win or in which games they score since team success is a bad metric to judge individuals on and I think that Ronaldo wouldn't won Messi's trophies if he played for Barca at the respective times and vice versa. Everybody has his preferences but this belittling and provoking hould stop.

 

[Sandikan]

This pitch

Spoiler

This ball

Spoiler

Just talking about Messi, he loses like 30% of his technical prowess when he has to play in a bad pitch, I can't imagine any footballer looking better than Pelé with the grass you'd feed to the cows and a brick for ball.

The guy clearly hasn't ever read accounts of how amazing Best was, to play on a crap pitch, against dangerous defenders and STILL have incredible control and skill.

 

[Revan]

I know you're supposed to respect the players of the past, and all that. But if you go back and watch videos of the 1958 World Cup that Pele played in (or even the 1966 World Cup that England won) the standard is dreadful. I know the ball is different, but realistically if either Messi or Ronaldo went back and played at that time then they would be the best in the world by a country mile. I mean, the standard is sh*te. The 1970 Brazil team was the first team, in my opinion, to play anything approaching modern football, and consequently they won every game in that tournament.

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion. And I personally think Ronaldo is a bit overrated at present, despite being a brilliant goalscorer, but I shudder to think how many he would have scored in the 1950s.

Totally agree. For that reason I use the term greatest instead of best. I genuinely think that the likes of Robben are better players than Garrincha, but not greater players.

 

[Sandikan]

Not much talk of Rojo now

That truly awful defending for the first goal!
If he'd just let matey go, chances are he'd have failed to get a decent cross in from that angle, and the move would have gone to nothing.

 

[wub1234]

Good post. I never venture into this thread but it does seem like Messi is the best footballer when taking individual aspects into account, whereas Ronaldo is the better footballer taking into account that it's a competitive team game. I'm not saying Messi doesn't inspire or drive others but he strikes me as a much more class act when thought of in isolation, which is distinctly different to Ronaldo who strikes me as somebody who uses his individual strengths for the benefit of, and to help drive, the team.

I guess this is where the debate comes from - which type of thing do people value more, etc. Messi is magic. Ronaldo is lethal.

It absolutely amazes me that anyone could possibly consider Ronaldo to be a better team player than Messi.

If Ronaldo is so inspirational then where was he at the start of last season, when Real were really struggling and, I think, even outside the top four at one stage? I'll tell you where he was...he couldn't have hit the wall of barn if he was stood inside it at the time.

Meanwhile, Messi had taken a team who absolutely everyone expected to struggle after Real won the league last season and then battered Barca in the Supercopa, and transformed them into runaway league leaders and eventual winners. That's why their stats ended up like this:

And, bear in mind, Ronaldo's stats were far, far worse before he elevated them once Real were completely out of the title race.

Somehow Ronaldo apparently emerges unscathed from this, whereas Barcelona have one bad game against Roma, and Messi plays in a quite obviously dreadful Argentina team in the World Cup, after they were literally dragged through qualifying by Messi, and he's not a team player and not inspirational!

The standards that are set for Messi are ridiculous. Ronaldo never has to live up to the same level.

 

[Theon]

Ronaldo is a passenger in virtually every game that he doesn't score. He was a passenger in the Champions League final. Sometimes he's worse than a passenger, he becomes a liability, berating his team-mates when they have the temerity to score a goal!

That's just my opinion, of course.

Interesting, don’t agree with that personally and I think that’s unfair on Ronaldo (particularly at his peak) but probably won’t disagree as much as some others will (I’m firmly in the Messi being better camp).

I think firstly I wouldn’t reduce Ronaldo’s game to just goals, think that’s harsh. Also I think it depends on what you mean by being a passenger, he’s clearly more of a goalscoring focused player than Messi (who is the far superior playmaker) but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It doesn’t make him a passenger just because he’s not playmaking in midfield - it’s a position where a lot of aspects can go under the radar, like making runs or occupying defenders. Lots of strikers would be considered passengers if we reduce contributions to actual touches on the ball.

But yeah, I do agree a bit with the point. Given the context of the discussion (literally being the best footballer of all time) it’s absolutely correct to point out that Ronaldo probably loses a few marks by virtue of being more limited in the type of contributions he would typically make in a match - generally it’d be decisive final third scoring or assisting, whereas Messi contributes more widely in terms of general possession dominance and dribbling.

The flip side to that is what we’ve just been discussion - Ronaldo seems the more mentally strong player and it’s extremely rare to see him ever give up a game or willingly become a passenger (whether he gets the ball is one thing, whether he stops making runs or asking for it is another). Messi in contrast does seem to do that.

 

[wub1234]

Totally agree. For that reason I use the term greatest instead of best. I genuinely think that the likes of Robben are better players than Garrincha, but not greater players.

That's a fair argument, I like it. I don't mean to diminish what Pele did, he is rightly an icon of football. I just have a hard time accepting that he's better than Messi, when I've seen them both play!

 

[Member 109952]

I think Portugal will tonight, which'll settle the GOAT debate once and for all.

In all honesty though they've both been pretty good at this world cup, I think Portugal has a worse team but Argentina by far have a worse manager, so it's a very weird contrast seeing them play for their national teams when they usually play for the two best teams in the world with top talent everywhere. It's harsh to judge either really because a strong balanced team like France or Brazil is far more important than a couple of star players.

 

[el3mel]

This tournament will go overall as a black point in Messi history, scored one goal and did nothing for most of it.

 

[MadMike]

That truly awful defending for the first goal!
If he'd just let matey go, chances are he'd have failed to get a decent cross in from that angle, and the move would have gone to nothing.

That's cause his decision making as defender is piss poor. He's aggressive and brave and sometimes makes instinctive last ditch tackles and interventions. But he loses he head way too easily and gets caught out a lot.

 

[Zehner]

I know you're supposed to respect the players of the past, and all that. But if you go back and watch videos of the 1958 World Cup that Pele played in (or even the 1966 World Cup that England won) the standard is dreadful. I know the ball is different, but realistically if either Messi or Ronaldo went back and played at that time then they would be the best in the world by a country mile. I mean, the standard is sh*te. The 1970 Brazil team was the first team, in my opinion, to play anything approaching modern football, and consequently they won every game in that tournament.

I'm sure Pele would adapt to some extent if he played in the modern game, but if you look at his technical ability and what he actually did on the pitch at that time, to say that he's a better player than Messi or Ronaldo is laughable, in my opinion. And I personally think Ronaldo is a bit overrated at present, despite being a brilliant goalscorer, but I shudder to think how many he would have scored in the 1950s.

Then give Pele the achievements of the 21st century in terms of nutrition, infrastructure and teaching and see where it would take him in the modern game. He never visited a modern academy and was a natural athlete. One can only wonder what a freak of nature he could've become with modern training and what coaches could get out of him with modern tactical insights if they tailored a system towards him like the managers of Ronaldo and Messi did.

Of course you can argue if you put the actual player Pele in the modern game, he would've stood no chance and Messi would be better. But that's an unfair comparison without considering the context.

It is however a fact that Pele stood out of the masses like no other footballer ever and he did it for club and country. That's the accomplishment which makes it hard to compare Messi or Ronaldo with him. Hard to argue that they are so many levels above the rest as Pele was above his generation.

 

[Ishdalar]

The guy clearly hasn't ever read accounts of how amazing Best was, to play on a crap pitch, against dangerous defenders and STILL have incredible control and skill.

Yeah, I can only talk about the 90's and 00's pre Leo/Cris era, but everyone who put Best and Cruyff close to Maradona and Pelé did it just because they were pioneers, with awful material they managed to play and do things that most players weren't able to replicate until almost 40 years later.

 

[wub1234]

You know that's not many games right,

That's a very fair point! But we know statistically that Messi does far more on the pitch, and also scores as many goals from much deeper.

I still don't believe Ronaldo should even be compared to Messi. Ronaldo should be compared to Lewandowski, Suarez, Kane, and other top strikers. Ronaldo is the best forward in the world, and may go down as the best forward ever. Messi is the best footballer in the world, and the best footballer that I have ever seen.

 

[Theon]

History rewards brilliance over a career, as otherwise Ronaldinho or someone would be rated the best ever.
Ronaldo is on 4 of the last 5 Ballon D'ors, and has got to be ahead of Messi for the next one too. He's won the European cup with Portugal and won 5 European club cups too.
He's on course to rank higher than Messi overall as it stands. However, it's up for grabs as Messi does have another 2 years on him age wise.

Messi at his peak was better than Ronaldinho so I don’t think he’d ever be the best ever - but I take the point. There’s no doubt whatsoever Ronaldinho’s rather fleeting peak of three years or so has hurt his standing when it comes to greatest of all time debates.

I don’t think that applies to the Messi game Ronaldo debate though, as they’ve been at top of the sport for literally a decade. It’s a far greater sample size than Ronaldinho and neither can be accused of being unable to maintain a peak level of performance for an extended period of time.

 

[Member 109952]

The standards that are set for Messi are ridiculous. Ronaldo never has to live up to the same level.

I do think it's harsh that CL has such a higher rating than the league, but it's just the way it is. The league is consistency, whereas the CL is heads up vs the best teams, and to be fair Madrid did have to beat PSG, Juve and Bayern to even get to the final this year. And Ronaldo did score a lot of goals in those ties.

I think if it was the other way round, and Real won the league + cup, and Messi did what Ronaldo did in the CL, then Messi would be favourite for the Ballon D'or this year.

I still don't believe Ronaldo should even be compared to Messi. Ronaldo should be compared to Lewandowski, Suarez, Kane, and other top strikers. Ronaldo is the best forward in the world, and may go down as the best forward ever. Messi is the best footballer in the world, and the best footballer that I have ever seen.

None of those strikers have ever been near to what Ronaldo was for us. If you're talking current Ronaldo, then the comparison is apt, but for the 6 years he was with United he was pretty much a winger or wide forward and dribbling was one of his strong suits. None of those players could ever dribble like Ronaldo could.

 

[Ed9]

The guy clearly hasn't ever read accounts of how amazing Best was, to play on a crap pitch, against dangerous defenders and STILL have incredible control and skill.

Very true! Best was like a ballerina in a junkyard.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

The best thing about this thread is the inability of 90% of people to not be able to identify when someone just won’t change their mind.

If Portugal goes out, I think you just chalk this World Cup as a disappointment to them both and it’s as you were really in terms of justifying who’s the best. A lot of that will come down to Ronaldo’s performance today, if he’s anonymous and loses then his hat trick v Spain shouldn’t cloud over what will have been a poor individual performance from him this WC. If he plays wel and Portugal go through, we will see a huge influx of people reconsidering their choice.

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

It absolutely amazes me that anyone could possibly consider Ronaldo to be a better team player than Messi.

If Ronaldo is so inspirational then where was he at the start of last season, when Real were really struggling and, I think, even outside the top four at one stage? I'll tell you where he was...he couldn't have hit the wall of barn if he was stood inside it at the time.

Meanwhile, Messi had taken a team who absolutely everyone expected to struggle after Real won the league last season and then battered Barca in the Supercopa, and transformed them into runaway league leaders and eventual winners. That's why their stats ended up like this:

And, bear in mind, Ronaldo's stats were far, far worse before he elevated them once Real were completely out of the title race.

Somehow Ronaldo apparently emerges unscathed from this, whereas Barcelona have one bad game against Roma, and Messi plays in a quite obviously dreadful Argentina team in the World Cup, after they were literally dragged through qualifying by Messi, and he's not a team player and not inspirational!

The standards that are set for Messi are ridiculous. Ronaldo never has to live up to the same level.

Those stats aren't hugely telling. Messi played more games. Check out the CL stats though...

Ronaldo 15 goals in 13 games.
Messi 6 goals in 10 games.
Take into account Ronaldo won the CL with Real so on average would have had harder games.

And World Cup, Argentina have a better team on paper yet
Messi 4 games, 1 goal
Ronaldo 3 games, 4 goals

For every argument there is a counter argument

You say the standards set for Messi are ridiculous and yet you also say it amazes you how anyone can think Ronaldo is the better player.

You are the one setting the ridiculous bar and will always get comments back to show how wrong that bar is.

 

[Schneckerl]

This tournament will go overall as a black point in Messi history, scored one goal and did nothing for most of it.

Wrong it was better than 2014 considering the circumstances. '14 KO round is the black mark.

 

[el3mel]

Wrong it was better than 2014 considering the circumstances. '14 KO round is the black mark.

At least in 2014 he scored some goals in the group. He did nothing at all this tournament, nothing.

 

[Ekkie Thump]

At least in 2014 he scored some goals in the group. He did nothing at all this tournament, nothing.

His goal against the Nigerians was pretty damn good, so was his assist today. He flickered into life in patches that were few and far between - mostly anonymous, very occasionally brilliant.

 

[altodevil]

Loved Ronaldo when he played for us, like the rest of the folk here. However I can't help but feel the bias goes a little too far. Peak Messi is unparalleled. Whether Ronaldo ages better isn't going to change that. I would maintain Messi is still the better footballer today, but I can see the argument for Ronaldo from an achievements perspective. People banging on about one game, one tournament changing legacies is embarassing. So too are people changing their mind over the two from such a small subsample. At this stage they've played so many games, whoever you think is better stands.

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

The best thing about this thread is the inability of 90% of people to not be able to identify when someone just won’t change their mind.

If Portugal goes out, I think you just chalk this World Cup as a disappointment to them both and it’s as you were really in terms of justifying who’s the best. A lot of that will come down to Ronaldo’s performance today, if he’s anonymous and loses then his hat trick v Spain shouldn’t cloud over what will have been a poor individual performance from him this WC. If he plays wel and Portugal go through, we will see a huge influx of people reconsidering their choice.

Ronaldo poor individual performance at the world cup?
A hattrick against one of the best teams in the world to gain a draw, followed by a winning and only goal against Iran.

If it wasn't for Ronaldo Portugal are not even in the knock out stage.

Yes I would expect another performance from him today, but Portugal are not a team of stars. He has already been at or ahead of expectation this world cup. Anything from here is a bonus/ cements his name as a star no matter the team he has around him

 

[el3mel]

His goal against the Nigerians was pretty damn good, so was his assist today. He flickered into life in patches that were few and far between - mostly anonymous, very occasionally brilliant.

The goal was good, but he wasn't really close to being the reason they passed the group, even he put them in the problem from the start by not scoring the penalty vs Iceland, and his assist today was after the game was already over, the rest of the game he did nothing of note.

Regardless of Ronald, this tournament was disappointing for Messi, 1 goal in 4 matches is a bad record for his standard.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

Ronaldo’s performance v Spain was great, but let’s not catapult it to GOAT individual performance level.

The game was a draw. Against a disjointed team who sacked their manager two days previously.

One penalty, one direct free kick and one abysmal mistake by the goalkeeper.

It was a 9/10 performance and nothing more.