Cristiano Ronaldo
Discussion
Rather than compare their respective historical records (which are so close as to make no discernible difference) I tend to consider how Messi might have played and performed at each of the clubs Ronaldo has played at, and how Ronaldo would have played at Barcelona - that to me is the difference between them that defines them.
DeltonaS said:
ColdoRS said:
I honestly don’t think Messi compares at this stage. A great player no doubt but also a hormone assisted shyster, afraid to challenge himself outside the comfort zone of Barcelona and her superstars and has achieved nothing with his country, despite being surrounded by elite payers there too.
Unlike Ronaldo - who has excelled in 3 (of the top 4) divisions, led his very average national team to European glory, consistently turns up for club and country, changes games and breaks records. The greatest of all time.
Doctor ColdoRSUnlike Ronaldo - who has excelled in 3 (of the top 4) divisions, led his very average national team to European glory, consistently turns up for club and country, changes games and breaks records. The greatest of all time.
I can remember Ronaldo at United doing these constant tricks on the left wing, mainly step overs. Trying to pass every opponent while lacking in effectiveness. Critizited for it as well back then. Ronaldo really started to excell at Real.
United fans always seem to put Ronaldo on a pedestal in a way no other fanbase does. United fans seem to have this permanent inferiority complex, boasting themselves with this "biggest club in the world" nonsense. While for instance Barcelona and Real are the bigger clubs in every measurable way.
But back to Lionel, greatest player of our time, more talented than Ronaldo, better stats. And just more naturally gifted. And didn't do too bad for Argentina by the way:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi
During the 2008 Olympic Games
In 2008, Messi won gold with Argentina at the Beijing Summer Olympics. In the final, Nigeria won 1-0. Messi scored against Ivory Coast in the group stage and against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Top scorer of all time
On September 1, 2016, Messi scored the only goal during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, won 1-0. This was his 56th goal for the national team of Argentina, making him a shared top scorer of all time with Gabriel Batistuta. On November 16, he made the 1-0 from a free kick in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying match against Colombia. With that, he only became top scorer of all time of the Argentinian team.
During the 2014 World Cup
At the 2014 World Cup, Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Germany. At the end of the tournament, Messi was named best player of the World Cup, ahead of Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben.
Olympics.... top Argentinian scorer of all time (69 goals) and the semi finals of a World Cup... clutching at straws somewhat.
Ronaldo has won the euros and got to a final of an earlier euros (lost to Greece!) and is also the 2nd top international scorer ever, in the history of the game... with a good chance of beating the record too, only 11 goals away I believe. All whilst accompanied by a fairly average squad.
I think it’s clear that when the going gets tough, Ronaldo shines and Messi struggles.
ExocetApe said:
The Messi not playing in another league is nonsense.
Ronaldo playing for the best team in England at the time.
Real.....
Then goes to a totally dominant Juventus.....
Where is the challenge in that?
He's obviously always going to go to a top club. The challenge is in moving away from what's comfortable. The challenge is in a new club, new culture, a new language. Many have failed at the first attempt. He's done it multiple times. All whilst continuing to churn out the sort of stats people never thought possible, for both clubs and country.Ronaldo playing for the best team in England at the time.
Real.....
Then goes to a totally dominant Juventus.....
Where is the challenge in that?
Messi's great, but he's done f
k all to compare.BMW A6 said:
Deltona. Take some time alone and study those thighs, then return and offer a more erudite opinion on the Portuguese phenomenon.
Christiano is obviously amazing, a real athlete. A combination of talent, work rate, determination and professionalism probably unmatched. Resulting in a very effective player at Real. But as a footballer Messi is the one which is the more naturaly gifted player. His dribbles, free kicks, passes, ball control, goals.
ColdoRS said:
You’re the first Messi fan I’ve seen promoting his international achievements.
Olympics.... top Argentinian scorer of all time (69 goals) and the semi finals of a World Cup... clutching at straws somewhat.
Ronaldo has won the euros and got to a final of an earlier euros (lost to Greece!) and is also the 2nd top international scorer ever, in the history of the game... with a good chance of beating the record too, only 11 goals away I believe. All whilst accompanied by a fairly average squad.
I think it’s clear that when the going gets tough, Ronaldo shines and Messi struggles.
Argentina were runners up in 2014, 2nd. Not semi finals.Olympics.... top Argentinian scorer of all time (69 goals) and the semi finals of a World Cup... clutching at straws somewhat.
Ronaldo has won the euros and got to a final of an earlier euros (lost to Greece!) and is also the 2nd top international scorer ever, in the history of the game... with a good chance of beating the record too, only 11 goals away I believe. All whilst accompanied by a fairly average squad.
I think it’s clear that when the going gets tough, Ronaldo shines and Messi struggles.
And Portugal doesn't have an average squad.
DeltonaS said:
ColdoRS said:
You’re the first Messi fan I’ve seen promoting his international achievements.
Olympics.... top Argentinian scorer of all time (69 goals) and the semi finals of a World Cup... clutching at straws somewhat.
Ronaldo has won the euros and got to a final of an earlier euros (lost to Greece!) and is also the 2nd top international scorer ever, in the history of the game... with a good chance of beating the record too, only 11 goals away I believe. All whilst accompanied by a fairly average squad.
I think it’s clear that when the going gets tough, Ronaldo shines and Messi struggles.
Argentina were runners up in 2014, 2nd. Not semi finals.Olympics.... top Argentinian scorer of all time (69 goals) and the semi finals of a World Cup... clutching at straws somewhat.
Ronaldo has won the euros and got to a final of an earlier euros (lost to Greece!) and is also the 2nd top international scorer ever, in the history of the game... with a good chance of beating the record too, only 11 goals away I believe. All whilst accompanied by a fairly average squad.
I think it’s clear that when the going gets tough, Ronaldo shines and Messi struggles.
And Portugal doesn't have an average squad.
TEKNOPUG said:
How can you be the GOAT when you play at a time when you aren't allowed to tackle and all rules are geared towards attacking play?
The players cannot choose when they are born, no doubt Maradona and others would have had longer careers if they hadn’t been kicked off the park most weekends, trying to compare different eras is always fraught with difficulties/impossibilities in any sport.
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