Messi or Ronaldo: Who is the Better Player?

For a while now, there has been a lot of debate as to who the better players is. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s record transfer fee of £80m to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, he left for Spain with high expectations and has constantly been compared to another star in La Liga, Lionel Messi. So, who is better; Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona’s Lionel Messi? Both are dynamic players who have dominated so far in their brief careers.

Lionel Messi

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 08: Lionel Messi of Barcelona controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Barcelona and Arsenal on March 8, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Often compared to Argentine legend and former coach Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi has tremendous skill on the ball, is extremely quick, and is a creative player who can set up as many goals as he can score. The ball seems to be glued to his feet at times as he dribbles past opponents like traffic cones.

In already his eighth year as a professional, the 23-year-old has scored more than 100 goals for his club team and national team. Messi won European soccer’s most prestigious award, the Ballon d’Or, the past two years, and also won four La Liga titles, one Spanish Cup, two UEFA Champions League titles, and four Spanish Super Cup championships. In addition, Leo claimed the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2006.

Messi has appeared in two FIFA World Cups and is on pace to play in at least two more as he is still not yet in his prime.

Cristiano Ronaldo

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MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 16: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid lines up a free kick during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Real Madrid and Lyon at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper

The quick-footed and flashy Ronaldo has lots of tricks up his sleeve as he is known for his blazing speed and amazing moves. It seems as though he can nut-meg an ant with a watermelon. Compared to fellow country man and Portugal legend Luis Figo, CR9 has made name for himself and has had a lot of success in his own right.

At age 26, Ronaldo has already netted over 140 goals and won the Ballon d’Oro award in 2008. He won three English Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three league cups, a Champions League title in 2008, and a FIFA Club World Cup Championship in 2008.

Ronaldo appeared in two European Cups for Portugal and two World Cups. He came close to winning Euro 2004 but lost to Greece in the final. In 2006, his national team lost to France in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Germany but Ronaldo gained a lot of attention after the incident with Wayne Rooney in the quarterfinals.

Have Your Say

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 12: Lionel Messi holds up his European footballer of the year award, the 'Ballon d'Or' (Golden ball), before the La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium Stadium on December 12, 2009 in Madrid, Spa

These are the stats. Who do you think is better? If you think another player other than Ronaldo or Messi is the best player in the world, feel free to comment.