MESSI                               RONALDO


   

                                                        Who Wins- YOU decide!















Well, it has to be one of the hottest topics around the world. These two players are just "out of this world". They're something special. I've only been watching football for about 10 years but I've never seen anything like them. The fact is we have two of the greatest players EVER playing in the same generation. The question is-  Who's better? 


Lionel Messi ("The Little Maestro")

2010/11 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
33	31	18	150

These stats really do speak for themselves. I mean, he has contributed collectively 49 direct and indirect goals in just 33 games. Now, I know that the spanish league is not complimented for its tough tackling and rock solid defences but no player should be capable of stats like those. They are just phenomonal. All season long we have seen him rip the best of teams apart- for example Real Madrid. He has amassed a total of 3 goals in 5 games against "Los Merengues" and contributed even more than just goals throughout the matches. The obvious stand out performance was the one which the little genius netted a brace to give Barcelona a very healthy advantage in their Champions League semi-final clash with Real. They were playing in front of a packed, raucous and intimidating crowd. Most players didn't react to that but unfortunately, instead, reacted to all the refereeing decisions. However Lionel Messi was like the lonely wolf in the pack. Not only did he not get involved as much as the other but he most certainly didn't insitgate any issues. He concentrated on the main issue: The game. All he wanted to do was score. He wanted to effect the game in a positive way. He can't be excused from a bit of play-acting but in comparison to all 21 other players he acted like an angel. He then netted the brace to restore order and regain respect of pundits and fans alike. However, in this game, his main rival, Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated but is he as good as Messi or is he living in his shadows?


Cristiano Ronaldo ("The Machine")

2010/11 Spanish La Liga

GAMES	GOALS	ASSISTS	SHOTS
34	40	10	250

 I really am baffled. How can two players be so extraordinarily good and be playing in the same league? It's just not fair to other teams. They're stats are almost identical in the collectiveness as Ronaldo has amassed 50 goals and assists respectively (Messi only managed  49, however Ronaldo played in one more game). And I'll tell you now, from looking at these stats I wouldn't be surprised if in that "one game" Messi missed he scored a hat-trick. However, this paragraph is about Ronaldo. Cristiano seems to be more attention seeking than his counterpart and likes to be heard in the media. Ronaldo hasn't been as praised as much as Messi over the past two seasons and I do believe that has played on his mind in positive and negative ways. For example I think in some ways it has sent him out on the pitch with an even bigger incentive as all he wants to do is gain appreciation and a huge amount of recognition. However, as we saw from the Champions league semi-final first leg he was not only frustrated but he was also nullified from the match. He was like a phantom on the pitch and had very little effect. The worst thing to see was that he was showing his frustration very openly and seemed to be directing it at the helpless Jose Mourinho. However, for me, the BIGGEST positive attribute is the fact that Cristiano has also blossomed in the premier League. Unlike Mr.Messi, Ronaldo has experienced the TWO best leagues in the world and showed what he is capable of worldwide. He has shown he can be brutal enough for the premier league and most certainly technical enough for LaLiga. Now, I have no doubt that Messi would relish the opportunity of brushing past the Premier League defenders but I doubt he will ever leave Barcelona meaning that no other club would be able to attain the services of the maestro.


Overall:


Well, I've got a dilemma here. I am at a total crossroads. I'm finding it very hard to separate these two heavyweights in football. I don't know if you have a clear winner but I most certainly don't. My conclusion would be, if any club had either of these stars they're getting two dedicated and hard-working players. We've seen how much they contribute as shown through their heroic campaigns in LaLiga. They were the main talismen for their respective clubs. I think that Ronaldo may possess more of a "whole package" factor as I honestly believe Cristiano Ronaldo can do everything possible in football whereas Messi seems to be better in some of those certain areas and that is why he might be praised higher. For example, dribbling is a trait where Ronaldo is absolutely world class and some of his tricks are immaculate, however a lot of people see Messi for his close control and lighting fast feet as an EVEN BETTER dribbler of the ball. However, I believe Ronaldo possesses double the amount of power and heading ability where Messi seems to be lacking but he makes up for it with all his other many attributes.  I really can't decide who's better. They are both fantastic at what they do. Perhaps the stats help us to understand that Messi is more of a team player and Ronaldo is more of an individual? I don't really know, but no matter what, we have two of the greatest players ever playing in our generation and we should enjoy every minute we have watching them.