Five Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better Than Messi

elshaday Je suis le roi — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:45:43 -0400

Ronaldo v. Messi, lets begin:

1. Speed

Although Messi has delicate control and such quick feet, when it comes to sheer speed Ronaldo comes first.

The Portuguese winger has to be one of the fastest pure sprinters in the game, you can recall the Champions League semifinal at Manchester when a long ball was sent forward, Ronaldo outran Puyol and Zambrotta, considered as one of the faster 'backs in the game, to a ball when both started from about 20 yards and Ronaldo a clear 40 to 50 yards away.

An argument can be made as to which type of speed is more important, speed on the ball and sprinting speed, but in this case sprinting is the category as speed with ball has more factors than God given legs and speed.

2. Heading ability

Since the origin of football, heading has been a cornerstone of creating and scoring goals. Mastering this art has become overlooked in recent years but still remains an essential asset to great players.

When comparing the two, Ronaldo and Messi, it isn't very fair as one is close to 6'2" and the other falls quite short of that mark. But the outstanding aspect of Ronaldo heading ability is the threat with head he posses that taller forwards such as Henry never possessed.

Ronaldo scored eight times with his head alone last year, and has already headed his first goal of the new season. At this rate he will spearhead himself into the legends book.

3. Power

Once again it is equal on size level but just ask Wayne Rooney, who isn't a tall lad, and he will tell you generating power isn't about size—it's skill.

When it comes to power it's quite obvious again. Seeing as Ronaldo is a chiseled old fashion striker built, but has such precise and skillful shots that ridicule the human capacity. This is with disregard to free kicks mind you.

4. Free kicks

All the greats can do it, but only a few can generate magic like clockwork. Ronaldo once again easily has the upper hand and possesses undoubtedly one of the most unique free kick techniques ever seen.

He has reinvented a common speciality into a craft. Something which players put their whole careers on, David Beckham, while Ronaldo incorporates it along with rest of his game. Messi just doesn't measure up.

5. Special Moments

Messi Maradona run, or Messi hand of god, or...well I can't really think of many special Messi moments. Maybe I can conjure up some for Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's header against Roma, a Superman-like moment. Ronaldo against Chelsea, Champions League final, doesn't get better than that. Ronaldo free kick v. Pompey, arguably the greatest free-kick to grace the Premier League or any other league. Ronaldo back heel against Villa, any football fan could watch it over and over. Ronaldo free kick vs Lisbon, 2-1 in the 93rd min. As the commentator repeated "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant".

Not to mention all the trophies and awards Ronaldo has over Messi, it leaves this writer questioning—why do people even bother to compare the two? It's not that close.

Real Madrid's Pursuit of Happiness

elshaday Je suis le roi — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:22:28 -0400

If your haven't heard over the weekend Manchester United's bus was reportedly hit by a brick, cracking the window. Thankfully the culprit has been caught; None other than Real Madrid and their stacks of money thrown at Manchester to lure their prized asset away.

Ronaldos' two girlfriends

The summer has come and gone, just as years past. The European Championships have started and finished. The Champions League was won, and now starts a new. Yet, one pesky little club, owner and newspaper just can't seem to follow the pattern and stop. So let the catfight reign on.

Something in the water in Madrid

The Madridstas at the Bernabeau have reached a new height in foolishness and obsession. There was recently a poll taken of how many people wanted to change some things in the Madrid side. A small margin of 16 percent wanted Robinho back and Calderon out, while a staggering, and I mean staggering, 42 percent wanted the immediate arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo during the January transfer window.

Get Real!

Not only is this madness from Madristas but the fact they cannot see past the larger problems at the Bernabeau is shocking. The amount they were willing to pay Manchester over the summer transfer market, which will now turn into the Middle Eastland shopping spree, was shocking. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best there is, and probably will go down as one-of-them the galacticos. But, at what cost? The imagination on the finger tips of Calderon and Mijtovic is shocking. Rather than address the defense that doesn't have a leak, it has a split the size of the Grand Canyon, they would rather spend a teams salary worth on one (and yes Ronaldo can do everything) human being. Shocking!

The Great Wall of Fergie

The one man, and one man alone that has control over the destination of Ronaldo is SAF. He flexed his guns this summer by not only smacking Madrid down, as the mosquitoes they are, but shoved Tottenham aside for his desire in Berbatov. The man is too powerful, too respected, and even endeared by Ronaldo to get past him. As we all know Madrid will be at it again, and Fergie knows it too, but this time around, in the battle for Ronaldo, there will be a new sheriff in town running the game of transfers. Ferguson beware, there is Middle Eastland invasion that plans to smash down the Great Wall.

Leftovers

As for Madrid, this is now the beginning of the end. The end of the hierarchy days when Madrid fantasy became reality at the snap of a Spanish finger. The same finger that snatched Figo from Barcelona will now be scratching its head in confusion. What has happened? I'll tell you what has happened; Manchester City has taken over your spot at the top, bumped down Chelsea, and thudded you down to third on the pecking order. So get used to it and from now on focus of goals and tasks at hand, be realistic. As Ronaldo may come in the future, it might be a smart idea to load up on defense and midfield. If you want to get back to the glory days, it'll take more than Ronaldo and the Madrid of now, well unless you have 500 billion. Then in that case what's the point in playing, just buy the trophy.

Bleacher Report - Articles by elshaday Je suis le roi

Five Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better Than Messi

Real Madrid's Pursuit of Happiness