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Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi - Who is the better footballer?

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi - Who is the better footballer?

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Who is the better chess player?!

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Messi can have an impact on the game of football without boosting his own stats. Ronaldo, if he doesn't score makes no difference. Unlike most Man United fans, who suck up to Ronaldo, I was always Team Messi from the very beginning and given how Ronaldo has behaved lately, I am glad that I was never a Ronaldo suck up.
 
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37 y-o Ronaldo is a world-class poacher. A fox-in-the-box. He does not offer much to the team besides that.

Messi OTOH has played deeper and deeper as he has gotten older to the point where he's rarely even in the box for Argentina, he's a one-man creative midfield. Always dropping deep, always trying to dribble or play balls through to create chances, yet he still gets on the scoresheet regularly. The burden on him when playing for Argentina during general play is a lot higher.
 
Firebat said:
37 y-o Ronaldo is a world-class poacher. A fox-in-the-box. He does not offer much to the team besides that.

Messi OTOH has played deeper and deeper as he has gotten older to the point where he's rarely even in the box for Argentina, he's a one-man creative midfield. Always dropping deep, always trying to dribble or play balls through to create chances, yet he still gets on the scoresheet regularly. The burden on him when playing for Argentina during general play is a lot higher.
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Which is why I get so annoyed when Ronaldo fans have a go at Messi for not scoring enough goals for PSG. Like Messi doesn’t even play as an attacking player anymore. He isn’t meant to score goals, but these Ronaldo fans seem to not understand that.
 
Mbappe and Muisala have taken over, Ronaldo a diver and Messi breathing on opponent lapses
 
Firebat said:
37 y-o Ronaldo is a world-class poacher. A fox-in-the-box. He does not offer much to the team besides that.

Messi OTOH has played deeper and deeper as he has gotten older to the point where he's rarely even in the box for Argentina, he's a one-man creative midfield. Always dropping deep, always trying to dribble or play balls through to create chances, yet he still gets on the scoresheet regularly. The burden on him when playing for Argentina during general play is a lot higher.
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This is where Messi is clearly superior - both him & Ronaldo are two of the greatest goal scorers of all time, it is not even up for debate.

However, in addition to this, only one of them is also a legendary playmaker and even Ronaldo fans will not struggle to answer which of the two I am referring to.

This is why today, Messi is still playing a key role for a top UCL club while Ronaldo is begging around Europe for UCL club to sign him but no one wants him because his ego is bigger than his impact on the pitch these days/
 
The clock was ticking towards 1am local time at Lusail Stadium when Argentina's vast hordes of support burst into their second round of wild celebrations as a chaotic, dramatic and sometimes unsavoury World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands was finally won.

Argentina's sense of destiny here in Qatar is acquiring several layers, the first being that Lionel Messi is on a mission to win the one elite trophy that has always eluded his grasp.

And it was sharpened before the game when the songs that have provided the soundtrack to Argentina's World Cup campaign filled the surroundings of this futuristic arena as Brazil, those bitter historic rivals, went out on penalties to Croatia.

If Argentina's players and fans celebrated twice, they also effectively had to win this quarter-final twice, squandering a 2-0 lead in the 11th minute of stoppage time before prevailing 4-3 on penalties to meet the World Cup's very own mentality monsters of Croatia in the semi-final on Tuesday.

The Argentine masses who made up the vast majority of the 88,235 crowd, providing a wall of sound and a splash of colour, were silenced momentarily when the unlikely figure of Wout Weghorst, on loan at Besiktas from Burnley and on as a substitute, scored two late goals to send the game into extra time.

It came as a huge shock to Argentina's system after 35-year-old Messi, in what is surely his last World Cup, looked to be inspiring them into the semi-finals with something to spare after brilliantly creating Nahuel Molina's opener before the break, then making it 2-0 from the spot in the 73rd minute.

Aston Villa's keeper Emi Martinez was Argentina's hero in the penalties, saving the first two Netherlands spot-kicks from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis as the eventual victory margin was 4-3.

Argentina's celebrations were a mixture of relief, pure elation and the increasing sense - especially after Brazil's demise - that this really could be their World Cup, although they under-estimate Croatia at their peril.

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Their fans claimed huge swathes of Lusail Stadium for almost an hour after the game to go through their full songbook long after Argentina's joyous players had departed the scene.

When they finally left the party only moved outside, the drums and horns still providing a backing track that was going on well into the night.

And all this after a match of many flashpoints that yielded 17 yellow cards plus a red for Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries at the end, the largest number in World Cup history.

This included 15 players plus Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and his assistant Walter Samuel. Dutch striker Weghorst was booked before he even came on as substitute.

Spanish referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz could actually be described as lenient, despite this history-making tally, especially when he completely ignored a deliberate handball by Messi, who was later shown a yellow card which the Dutch justifiably felt should have been his second.

Argentina's players turned away from their own celebrations to taunt their stricken, heartbroken Dutch counterparts while verbal clashes followed after the penalties with Messi and Emi Martinez involved.

In other words, all rather eventful and sometimes distasteful. There was no love lost and this World Cup quarter-final was, at times, an eyesore.

At the heart of it all was the masterly Messi, who now has four goals and two assists in Argentina's nine goals in the tournament so far. He also has 10 World Cup goals for Argentina, level with Gabriel Batistuta.

Argentina's journey into the semi-final has echoes of their run to the 1990 World Cup final, which they lost to West Germany.

They were stunned by Cameroon in their opening game in Italy and here they were victims of the tournament's biggest shock result when they lost to Saudi Arabia at the start of their group.

Messi is a member of this World Cup's elite at a tournament that has seen Cristiano Ronaldo marginalised by Portugal and Neymar injured and then eliminated with Brazil.

France's Kylian Mbappe remains but there is now the growing sense that Argentina's superstar will contest another World Cup final, a chance to atone for the defeat by Germany in 2014.

He may provide the silken genius in this team but it is also mixed with a steel that makes Argentina the fiercest of opponents.

This can too often spill over into the sort of skirmishes we saw here, as players from both sides clashed on several occasions, including when Leandro Paredes was fortunate to stay on after receiving a yellow card for a poor challenge on Nathan Ake before blasting the ball at an understandably enraged Dutch bench.

Not that Argentina will care.

They adopt the ruthless, uncompromising approach they believe is designed to win World Cups not popularity contests, and the two-time winners will be heavily backed to reach a sixth final, their first since they lost to Germany in Rio eight years ago.

Messi was left heartbroken at Argentina's failure to record the ultimate triumph in the great Brazilian temple of the Maracana back then - now he will have his sights on the crowning glory of his career at Lusail Stadium on 18 December.

BBC
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Ronaldo had 3 World Cup in his prime. In 2010 & 2018 Portugal were knocked out in Rd of 16. And in 2014 the group stage. You really cant get the best player award when you are knocked out that early.

As far as the Euros they don't give anything to second and third place like the "Silver Ball", & " Bronze Ball". I think Ronaldo would have been in contention for those in 2012 and 2016 if they were available.
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My reply in the other thread was deleted. Replying here.

Ronaldo is also to be blamed for Portugal exiting early in all the World Cups that were played in his prime years.

He should have been able to carry the team like Messi did in 2014, but I guess it is difficult when you don’t contribute much to the team outside of goals.

If Ronaldo had the ability to control the game like Messi does, he would have done better. When you starve Ronaldo of goal scoring opportunities, he cannot do much. When you take goals out of Messi’s game, you still have an all-time great playmaker.

Portugal had an easy group in 2014 & Ronaldo still messed it up.

The Euro has a best player award which is officially announced by UEFA. Here are the list of winners from 2004 which is when Ronaldo played his first edition.

2004 - Zagorakis (Greek captain)
2008 - Xavi
2012 - Iniesta
2016 - Griezmann
2020 - Donnarumma

The self-proclaimed GOAT is nowhere to be found.
 
A convicted criminal who escaped a 21 month prison sentence because he paid a fine, the other is an egomaniac who pays his taxes and works hard.

A player who bailed on national duties after losing on penalties in a final vs Chile, the other is desperate to play for his nation despite arguing with the coach and being benched.

A player dumped by the club that made him for being selfish and greedy, vs a player who has won medal after medal with 3 different clubs, inc 5 Champions League trophies.

I know which player I would pick - won or lose!
 
Technics 1210 said:
A convicted criminal who escaped a 21 month prison sentence because he paid a fine, the other is an egomaniac who pays his taxes and works hard.

A player who bailed on national duties after losing on penalties in a final vs Chile, the other is desperate to play for his nation despite arguing with the coach and being benched.

A player dumped by the club that made him for being selfish and greedy, vs a player who has won medal after medal with 3 different clubs, inc 5 Champions League trophies.

I know which player I would pick - won or lose!
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Just make sure you don't pick Ronaldo for a game in USA, because he can't enter that country.

You clearly seem to have an agenda against Messi.
 
The_KING said:
Just make sure you don't pick Ronaldo for a game in USA, because he can't enter that country.

You clearly seem to have an agenda against Messi.
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Facts do not care about feelings.

And if had an agenda against Ronaldo, then you would be enjoying it. So save the melodramatic lines.

Though it is true I have an agenda against millennial sport fans.
 
The only reason there is this debate is because of the CR7 brand, which was created thanks to Man United, the club that made Ronaldo. Ability wise, forget Messi, there are other players who are better than Ronaldo. The guy is limited technically, can't even control the ball, limited passing range, can't take freekicks. The biggest reason Ronaldo is in the GOAT debate is because of his brand.
 
Technics 1210 said:
And if had an agenda against Ronaldo, then you would be enjoying it. So save the melodramatic lines.

Though it is true I have an agenda against millennial sport fans.
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Please go and watch black and white footage of the likes of Pele, Best etc.
 
That’s right, Ronaldo is in the GOAT debate because of his brand. Oh dear god.

He cannot score, cannot dribble, can’t take free kicks, is technically limited, and cannot even control the ball - despite all of this he has 5 Ballon D’or awards, which are awarded based on the votes of the football fraternity, and not millennial fans on social media.
 
I don't care about what Ronaldo did 10-15 years ago. He has been nothing but a goalscorer for the last 7-8 years. Just been hiding behind his goals while putting in stinking overall performances.
 
The_KING said:
I don't care about what Ronaldo did 10-15 years ago. He has been nothing but a goalscorer for the last 7-8 years. Just been hiding behind his goals while putting in stinking overall performances.
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Then stop reminiscing on Man United premier League wins.
 
Technics 1210 said:
A convicted criminal who escaped a 21 month prison sentence because he paid a fine, the other is an egomaniac who pays his taxes and works hard.

A player who bailed on national duties after losing on penalties in a final vs Chile, the other is desperate to play for his nation despite arguing with the coach and being benched.

A player dumped by the club that made him for being selfish and greedy, vs a player who has won medal after medal with 3 different clubs, inc 5 Champions League trophies.

I know which player I would pick - won or lose!
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Ronaldo is basically a criminal as well, only escaped jail time both for tax issues and for a suspected rape by paying people off.
 
The_KING said:
You seem to be one of those people who are living in the past and think that everything is your day was better. I have seen many old folk like that.
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I have lived the past, yes, when greats were playing, and appreciated by all, unlike you millenials who who turn everything into to a warfare.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Then stop reminiscing on Man United premier League wins.
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Huh? Man United won 13 premier league titles. Ronaldo was only there for 3 of them. And there were other great players besides Ronaldo who played a big part in Man United's premier league title wins. The likes of Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Van Der Sar, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick etc all played an important role. Don't make it seem like Ronaldo was the only great player we had between 2003-09. Man United were stacked with great players in those days.

And I don't reminisce Man United premier league wins. I don't live in the past like Arsenal, Liverpool or Ronaldo fans do.
 
The_KING said:
Huh? Man United won 13 premier league titles. Ronaldo was only there for 3 of them. And there were other great players besides Ronaldo who played a big part in Man United's premier league title wins. The likes of Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Van Der Sar, Scholes, Giggs, Carrick etc all played an important role. Don't make it seem like Ronaldo was the only great player we had between 2003-09. Man United were stacked with great players in those days.

And I don't reminisce Man United premier league wins. I don't live in the past like Arsenal, Liverpool or Ronaldo fans do.
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Stop living in the past. Your words, pay heed.
 
Technics 1210 said:
I have lived the past, yes, when greats were playing, and appreciated by all, unlike you millenials who who turn everything into to a warfare.
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If social media was around 20-30 years back, fans of great players of the past would turn everything into a warfare too.
 
It's remarkable, that millenials say that they do not care about what a player did in the past 10 - 15 years, but fail to realise any GOAT debate involves the analysis of a player's career.
 
[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

GOAT dreams up in flames :)))

Being benched in a World Cup QF which they ended up losing to Morocco. What a beautiful ending to his international career.

He needs to retire before Portugal take the next step & boot him out of the squad altogether.
 
Congratulations to Ronaldo for a great long career, had an amazing one I still remember him emotional after 2004 Euro loss when i first saw him.
And unfortunately my last memory of him will be same.
ATG irrespective!
 
Ronaldo's international career:

- No goals in World cup knockout stages.
- No player of the tournament in either the Euros or the World cup
- Made his career by scoring against awful teams like San Marino, Faeroe Islands, Albania, Latvia, Andorra in qualifying.
- Went off injured in the Euro 2016 final and played no part in his team's victory.
- Euro 2016 was a disgrace of a tournament, as Portugal finished third in their group, yet qualified for the knockout stages, thanks to some nonsensical rule that allowed a couple of best third place teams to progress.
 
That wink was legendary, that day in day out goals for Madrid extraordinary and that magical goal vs Juventus in the UCL final amazing
 
Disgraceful when players don't congrtulate their opponents. Ran off with his usual crocodile tears.
 
The_KING said:
Ronaldo's international career:

- No goals in World cup knockout stages.
- No player of the tournament in either the Euros or the World cup
- Made his career by scoring against awful teams like San Marino, Faeroe Islands, Albania, Latvia, Andorra in qualifying.
- Went off injured in the Euro 2016 final and played no part in his team's victory.
- Euro 2016 was a disgrace of a tournament, as Portugal finished third in their group, yet qualified for the knockout stages, thanks to some nonsensical rule that allowed a couple of best third place teams to progress.
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Well said.

His international career has been nothing to talk about.
 
Mamoon said:
My reply in the other thread was deleted. Replying here.

Ronaldo is also to be blamed for Portugal exiting early in all the World Cups that were played in his prime years.

He should have been able to carry the team like Messi did in 2014, but I guess it is difficult when you don’t contribute much to the team outside of goals.

If Ronaldo had the ability to control the game like Messi does, he would have done better. When you starve Ronaldo of goal scoring opportunities, he cannot do much. When you take goals out of Messi’s game, you still have an all-time great playmaker.
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Argentina also has 4 times the population of Portugal, which gives them a greater chance to go further in international teams.

Also if you only look at their prime years, then I think both Messi and Ronaldo are co goats for their generation. Messi game has aged better than Ronaldo's but he is also no longer the same player he once was.

Mamoon said:
The Euro has a best player award which is officially announced by UEFA. Here are the list of winners from 2004 which is when Ronaldo played his first edition.

2004 - Zagorakis (Greek captain)
2008 - Xavi
2012 - Iniesta
2016 - Griezmann
2020 - Donnarumma

The self-proclaimed GOAT is nowhere to be found.
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Yes i am aware of this. However they don't give something to the second and third place like at the World Cup. I am saying Ronaldo might have gotten second or third place in 2016 had those awards been available.
 
Mamoon said:
Well said.

His international career has been nothing to talk about.
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He has scored more international goals than anyone. So people who take stats at face value (sadly most people), Ronaldo has had an amazing international career. But for those who like to analyse stats more closely, Ronaldo's international career has been a bit of a disappointment, certainly compared to his amazing club career.
 
Could take the low road like a lot of Ronaldo fans have done and post pictures of Ronaldo crying but it was sad to see him go out like that.

Whatever has happened, he is still a great of the game and has had a wonderful career.
 
bones said:
Disgraceful when players don't congrtulate their opponents. Ran off with his usual crocodile tears.
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Nah, can't blame Ronaldo for it. This was probably his last WC and the emotions got the better of him.
 
Cristiano should retire now from international football.

He has a had great career and captained his country to there first and only international trophy in 2016. Its not easy for a small country to win the World Cup, so no shame that he did no win that trophy.

If I was Ronaldo I would now take the money from either Saudi, or go to MLS, or back to Portugal.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Cristiano should retire now from international football.

He has a had great career and captained his country to there first and only international trophy in 2016. Its not easy for a small country to win the World Cup, so no shame that he did no win that trophy.

If I was Ronaldo I would now take the money from either Saudi, or go to MLS, or back to Portugal.
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Indeed.

I think it is time for Ronaldo to call it a day. Portugal have better options than him now.
 
So now Portuguese players are blaming the Argentine referee for getting knocked out.

Messi has got two generations of Portuguese obsessed with him.

Pretty classless to detract from Morocco's massive accomplishment.
 
Aman said:
So now Portugese players are blaming the Argentine referee for getting knocked out.

Messi has got two generations of Portuguese obsessed with him.
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Why blame the referee?

If anything, referee did Portugal a favor by showing red card to a Moroccan player.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Cristiano should retire now from international football.

He has a had great career and captained his country to there first and only international trophy in 2016. Its not easy for a small country to win the World Cup, so no shame that he did no win that trophy.

If I was Ronaldo I would now take the money from either Saudi, or go to MLS, or back to Portugal.
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Most would but Ronaldo has Messi still there. He will not go until he has secured his records from him. I think we all know this.

Messi will probably head to MLS/retirement tour before him.
 
sweep_shot said:
Why blame the referee?

If anything, referee did Portugal a favor by showing red card to a Moroccan player.
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Ask Pepe and Bruno. They think there's some consipracy and the refs are biased patriots and Messi ******* who did Argentina a favor by knocking out Portugal.
 
Aman said:
Ask Pepe and Bruno. They think there's some consipracy and the refs are biased patriots and Messi ******* who did Argentina a favor by knocking out Portugal.
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Pepe was always a controversial figure. I remember he once kicked a player (club game).

Either way, they need to stop behaving like sore losers. Morocco deserved to win.
 
Gharib Aadmi said:
Cristiano should retire now from international football.

He has a had great career and captained his country to there first and only international trophy in 2016. Its not easy for a small country to win the World Cup, so no shame that he did no win that trophy.

If I was Ronaldo I would now take the money from either Saudi, or go to MLS, or back to Portugal.
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For the record, I would love to see Messi take all the records but I don't think he's driven by it and will probably be playing for Inter Miami next year or 2024.
 
A bitter sad end for Christiano Ronaldo but undoubtedly a great career for him. Guess he should retire now.

Nevertheless, his biggest achievement in my opinion was getting compared with Lionel Messi. Hope that sink in well!
 
Messi has killed off the GOAT debate in this World Cup quicker than Argentina have killed off Croatia. If you have to be a complete idiot to still advocate for Ronaldo.

Golden Ball #2 loading unless Mbappe pulls off something spectacular. Messi will become the first player in history to win two Golden Balls. Not only that, he could also win the Golden Boot & his 8th Ballon d'Or.

The greatest footballer in history. If you disagree, you know nothing about football.
 
Mamoon said:
Messi has killed off the GOAT debate in this World Cup quicker than Argentina have killed off Croatia. If you have to be a complete idiot to still advocate for Ronaldo.

Golden Ball #2 loading unless Mbappe pulls off something spectacular. Messi will become the first player in history to win two Golden Balls. Not only that, he could also win the Golden Boot & his 8th Ballon d'Or.

The greatest footballer in history. If you disagree, you know nothing about football.
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Want Argentina to win and for Messi to finish his international career with the crown jewel. I don't watch football apart from World Cup games but what i have seen b/w Messi and Ronaldo, Messi is a better team player, the opposition tends to focus on him by getting 3-4 defenders to surround him and he countered that by willing to dribble and assist others with goal scoring opportunities. Ronaldo in comparison has created issues in every team he has gone too and i don't think he is a good team player in comparison to Messi.
 
Things Ronaldo is better than Messi at:

- Heading
- Penalties
- Being the attention seeker and crying when he isn't playing

Things Messi is better than Ronado at:

- Dribbling
- Free Kicks
- Passing
- Versatility
- Creating Chances
- Better Team Player
- Having a Better Football IQ
- Humility

Messi is simply on another galaxy to Ronaldo.
 
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Mamoon said:
Messi has killed off the GOAT debate in this World Cup quicker than Argentina have killed off Croatia. If you have to be a complete idiot to still advocate for Ronaldo.

Golden Ball #2 loading unless Mbappe pulls off something spectacular. Messi will become the first player in history to win two Golden Balls. Not only that, he could also win the Golden Boot & his 8th Ballon d'Or.

The greatest footballer in history. If you disagree, you know nothing about football.
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Couldn't agree more. But our expert who plays his football in the Alum Rock football league will be adamant that it's Ronaldo because he doesn't understand.

Do you think Argentina will beat France (if they beat Morrocco)?
 
Savak said:
Want Argentina to win and for Messi to finish his international career with the crown jewel. I don't watch football apart from World Cup games but what i have seen b/w Messi and Ronaldo, Messi is a better team player, the opposition tends to focus on him by getting 3-4 defenders to surround him and he countered that by willing to dribble and assist others with goal scoring opportunities. Ronaldo in comparison has created issues in every team he has gone too and i don't think he is a good team player in comparison to Messi.
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I have seen Ronaldo get visibly upset when his team mate scored a goal because he didn't score himself. He is a selfish player.
 
The_KING said:
I have seen Ronaldo get visibly upset when his team mate scored a goal because he didn't score himself. He is a selfish player.
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Same on at least 3-4 occasions but apparently it's a lot more than that!
 
topspin said:
Same on at least 3-4 occasions but apparently it's a lot more than that!
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When he first came to Man United in 2003, he was a team player. But as he got closer to the end of United career, he became super obsessed with scoring goals that he became a selfish stats obsessed player.
 
Savak said:
Want Argentina to win and for Messi to finish his international career with the crown jewel. I don't watch football apart from World Cup games but what i have seen b/w Messi and Ronaldo, Messi is a better team player, the opposition tends to focus on him by getting 3-4 defenders to surround him and he countered that by willing to dribble and assist others with goal scoring opportunities. Ronaldo in comparison has created issues in every team he has gone too and i don't think he is a good team player in comparison to Messi.
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Ronaldo is a lethal goal scorer but he doesn't offer anything else. Now that he is old & has lost his pace & sharpness, he has become a liability. Juventus decided to get rid of him, he destroyed Man United's atmosphere & now the Portugal coach was forced to bench him for a young guy with fresh legs & better work ethic.

He is done as a player but his ego is not willing to accept it. He still wants everyone around him to pass him the ball.

Messi on the other hand is also not the player he once was. He has a lost a lot of his explosive pace & ability to score goals out of nowhere, but he still a brilliant playmaker & is willing to do the hard yards for his team. He put in more tackles today than Ronaldo did in his entire career.

Ronaldo without goals is nothing, but Messi without goals is still a genius.
 
topspin said:
Couldn't agree more. But our expert who plays his football in the Alum Rock football league will be adamant that it's Ronaldo because he doesn't understand.

Do you think Argentina will beat France (if they beat Morrocco)?
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France will beat Morocco. I don't seem them losing.

The final is too difficult to call - heart says Messi because he deserves to win the World Cup more than any player but head says France will edge it because if you take out Messi, France will beat Argentina more often than not.

Nevertheless, these two are the best teams in international football. Argentina have been fantastic for 2-3 years especially when they sorted out the defense & finally got a competent GK, while France's depth is insane. They are the only country who can field three international teams in a World Cup & all three could make the semifinals.

I found it hilarious when the English media, prior to the Quarterfinal, was talking about how England supposedly has a stronger bench than France when France has left players at home that would walk all over England's bench.

I hope the final is decided in normal time/extra time but not on penalties. Neither of the two sides deserve to the heartbreak of losing a World Cup final on penalties. It goes without saying but Messi stands between France & a second consecutive World Cup.
 
Morrocco has had the best defence in this WC, they are yet to concede a goal, the only goal they conceeded was an own goal and their goal keeper is known to be very good at stopping penalties. If anyone can upset France, its them.
 
Savak said:
Morrocco has had the best defence in this WC, they are yet to concede a goal, the only goal they conceeded was an own goal and their goal keeper is known to be very good at stopping penalties. If anyone can upset France, its them.
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France has the best attack in the tournament & it is not just for show like Brazil's. They mean business. Morocco have an inspirational defense but the wall will break against the mighty Frenchmen.
 
When you watch Ronaldo play you admire his stamina, strength and athleticism. At his best he reached the peak athletic condition and skillset for a footballer.

When you watch Messi play its like watching somethint super human. His skill transcends the game and leaves the viewer ( and the oppostion) in awe.

Nobody has produced more moments of magic in the current era of football than Messi.
 
I have long been an admirer of CR7, but in this tournament Messi has shown his class and versatility, I consider him the best out of these two legends of the game at this point and it would be the cherry on top for him to win the World Cup, Argentina have the momentum right now and I’d say they are favourites to go all the way
 
DeadlyVenom said:
When you watch Ronaldo play you admire his stamina, strength and athleticism. At his best he reached the peak athletic condition and skillset for a footballer.

When you watch Messi play its like watching somethint super human. His skill transcends the game and leaves the viewer ( and the oppostion) in awe.

Nobody has produced more moments of magic in the current era of football than Messi.
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I don’t know how he is doing this at 35 but his game awareness and footballing IQ is incredible
 
Mamoon said:
Messi has killed off the GOAT debate in this World Cup quicker than Argentina have killed off Croatia. If you have to be a complete idiot to still advocate for Ronaldo.

Golden Ball #2 loading unless Mbappe pulls off something spectacular. Messi will become the first player in history to win two Golden Balls. Not only that, he could also win the Golden Boot & his 8th Ballon d'Or.

The greatest footballer in history. If you disagree, you know nothing about football.
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Well World Cups and Champions League goes a long way in swaying Ballon d'Or decisions. So I won't be surprised if Messi is right up there which will be truly remarkable thing to achieve not only at his age but the consistency he has shown since his teens. GOAT!

If you ask many people who know somewhat something about the game called football already know that Messi is better than Ronaldo. There was a point in time where people argued (rightly) that Messi might be overall better footballer but Ronaldo is a better finisher and Ronaldo in his heydays was a better finisher than Messi but apart from this aspect there were no comparison when it comes to possession football, dribble, pace with the ball, through play and many other factors where Messi has always been supreme.

I'm just amazed at how life works. On one hand we have Ronaldo who's past year has been riddled with a grave personal tragedy, sour relationships both with club and national team, loud criticism on and off the field, losing club contract in a controversy and admittedly embarrassed by being benched in his last world cup. On the other hand we have Messi who has looked the happiest ever since he started playing football, renowned national hero being praised to no limits again, still part of champions league football, on verge of his greatest crowning ever and in run for Ballon d'Or award. The emotions are at an opposite end of spectrum for both these great players. What a life of highs and lows. We are bound to see numerous documentaries capturing these moments and their life in the game and we deserve to cherish these moments.
 
Extra_Cover said:
Well World Cups and Champions League goes a long way in swaying Ballon d'Or decisions. So I won't be surprised if Messi is right up there which will be truly remarkable thing to achieve not only at his age but the consistency he has shown since his teens. GOAT!

If you ask many people who know somewhat something about the game called football already know that Messi is better than Ronaldo. There was a point in time where people argued (rightly) that Messi might be overall better footballer but Ronaldo is a better finisher and Ronaldo in his heydays was a better finisher than Messi but apart from this aspect there were no comparison when it comes to possession football, dribble, pace with the ball, through play and many other factors where Messi has always been supreme.

I'm just amazed at how life works. On one hand we have Ronaldo who's past year has been riddled with a grave personal tragedy, sour relationships both with club and national team, loud criticism on and off the field, losing club contract in a controversy and admittedly embarrassed by being benched in his last world cup. On the other hand we have Messi who has looked the happiest ever since he started playing football, renowned national hero being praised to no limits again, still part of champions league football, on verge of his greatest crowning ever and in run for Ballon d'Or award. The emotions are at an opposite end of spectrum for both these great players. What a life of highs and lows. We are bound to see numerous documentaries capturing these moments and their life in the game and we deserve to cherish these moments.
Click to expand...

Wonderful post. I agree with everything except the bit where you stated that Ronaldo was a better finisher in his prime. Apart from superior aerial presence, Messi was a better all-round finisher & had a better goal to game ratio than Ronaldo in spite of creating 100s of more chances than Ronaldo did.

Messi was always going to age a lot better than Ronaldo because of his passing & ability to control the tempo of a game.
 
Mamoon said:
Wonderful post. I agree with everything except the bit where you stated that Ronaldo was a better finisher in his prime. Apart from superior aerial presence, Messi was a better all-round finisher & had a better goal to game ratio than Ronaldo in spite of creating 100s of more chances than Ronaldo did.

Messi was always going to age a lot better than Ronaldo because of his passing & ability to control the tempo of a game.
Click to expand...


Don't forget to add Messi's football intelligence. That part of his game often doesn't get enough credit. Messi is simply a very clever player who has got a clear picture in his head of what will happen before it happens. Ronaldo doesn't have that footballing IQ.
 
Ronaldo had better speed but Messi was a better player overall. I say that as someone who admires both.
 
The_KING said:
Things Ronaldo is better than Messi at:

- Heading
- Penalties
- Being the attention seeker and crying when he isn't playing

Things Messi is better than Ronado at:

- Dribbling
- Free Kicks
- Passing
- Versatility
- Creating Chances
- Better Team Player
- Having a Better Football IQ
- Humility

Messi is simply on another galaxy to Ronaldo.
Click to expand...

CR7 always has the better haircut!
 
The_KING said:
Things Ronaldo is better than Messi at:

- Heading
- Penalties
- Being the attention seeker and crying when he isn't playing

Things Messi is better than Ronado at:

- Dribbling
- Free Kicks
- Passing
- Versatility
- Creating Chances
- Better Team Player
- Having a Better Football IQ
- Humility

Messi is simply on another galaxy to Ronaldo.
Click to expand...

Apart heading and penalties, there's nothing else where Ronaldo excels more than Messi.

To add to your list of Messi > Ronaldo:

- Better goal scorer as he has a superior goals to games ratio
- Vision (but I guess this falls under his football IQ)

Overall, Messi is much more influential which makes him clear of Ronaldo. He's simply in a league of his own.
 
The_KING said:
[/B]
Don't forget to add Messi's football intelligence. That part of his game often doesn't get enough credit. Messi is simply a very clever player who has got a clear picture in his head of what will happen before it happens. Ronaldo doesn't have that footballing IQ.
Click to expand...

He had enough football brains to invent some fantastic free kick techniiques from what I remember.
 
shortbread said:
CR7 always has the better haircut!
Click to expand...

Not when he had the manbun at Juventus. :))

topspin said:
To add to your list of Messi > Ronaldo:

- Better goal scorer as he has a superior goals to games ratio
Click to expand...
Because Messi is such a complete player, people don't often realise that he is a great goalscorer too. People often associate goals with Ronaldo.

Cpt. Rishwat said:
He had enough football brains to invent some fantastic free kick techniiques from what I remember.
Click to expand...

I don't know about invention, but I have seen him do a panenka freekick. People only do panenka penalties.
 
Last edited:
That was something from other world, Messi magic people will tell stories about it, divine display by Messi, specially that 3rd goal assist is the benchmark future generations:14:
 
Ronaldo is one of the greatest player of all time, his greatness that he was being compared with Messi for whole of his career in his prime. Messi is just a better footballer, greatest ever in history
 
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