Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas – Who’s Best

• Cristiano Ronaldo – 2 PFA Players’ Player of the Year, 1 PFA Young Player of the Year, 2 PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, 2 Barclays Premier Player of the season, 4 Barclays Player of the Month, 1 Barclays Golden Boot, 1 Barclays Merit, 2 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, 2 Manchester United’s Players’ Player of the Year, 3 Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, 3 Manchester United Goal of the Season, 1 Portuguese Sports Personality of the Year, 1 Portuguese Footballer of the Year, 1 Champion’s League Top Scorer, 1 European Golden Shoe, 1 U-21 European Footballer of the Year, 1 European Footballer of the Year, 2 FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year.
  
• Lionel Messi – 1 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball, 1 FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot, 1 Bravo, 2 World Soccer Young Player of the Year, 1 Argentinean Player of the Year, 1 FIFPro World Young Player of the Year, 1 EFE Trophy for Best Ibero-American Player in La Liga, 1 Best Foreign Player in La Liga, 1 Copa America Best Young Player. 
  
• Cesc Fabregas -  2 FA Premier League Player of the Month, 1 PFA Young Player of the Year, 1 Bravo, 1 UEFA U-17 European Championship Golden Player, 1 FIFA U-17 Golden Shoe, 1 FIFA U-17 Golden Boot, 2 Arsenal Player of the Season. 

Hands down, Ronaldo wins this category, although in fairness to both Messi and Fabregas, he has been playing first team football more than his two rivals. 

So, overall, it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo comes top as the best young midfielder between these three hugely talented players. At least on paper, that is—there are mitigating circumstances that could place either Messi or Fabregas above him.

When comparing the three, for example, it could be argued that Fabregas and Messi are both far superior team players than Ronaldo, who is often sat on the pitch complaining about a non-tackle as opposed to tracking back.

Additionally, Cesc Fabregas officially has a less glamorous role for Arsenal, being played more as a holding midfielder, as opposed to the attacking freedom given to both Messi and Ronaldo. He also has less top-class players surrounding him (no offence to Arsenal fans) than Ronaldo does at Manchester United and Messi enjoys at Barcelona.

Whatever way you look at it, there’s no denying that these three players all deserve the praise that comes their way for the way they excite fans of the beautiful game. 

Which one will stand out as the greatest of the three, only time will tell—but it promises for an intriguing and enjoyable long-term battle.

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