Cristiano Ronaldo or Leo Messi: Who Is Better and Why?

In honor of the traditional rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, I have decided to present another round table discussion concerning Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cesar Diaz and Jo-Ryan Salazar were invited to this round table discussion.

The question posed was the following:

Cristiano Ronaldo or Leo Messi: Who Is Better and Why?

Messi's Mental Toughness

David Ramos/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 15: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on after the La Liga match between Barcelona and Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou Stadium on May 15, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Cesar Diaz: 

La Pulga is simply the better player … but not by much. I simply believe that Messi has more heart than Cristiano. In addition to his heart, I believe Messi’s mental toughness is stronger than Cristiano’s.

Both guys have different roles in their team. Cristiano has always been the Alpha Male in his team whereas Messi has had the luxury to be surrounded by players who knows how to move the ball well. Cristiano is a fantastic player, but he tends to disappear in crucial games to the point that’s he irrelevant.

Even if Messi is having an off game, he still exciting to watch and will continue to attack the net. Look at Messi in the World Cup. Granted he failed to score a WC goal, but he attacked the net aggressively time after time.

While Cristiano is a force, Messi is the better team player who knows how to move with/without the ball. While Cristiano is the stronger of the two as evidenced by his finishes and headers, Messi has a game awareness that can’t be taught. How many times have we seen Messi breakdown defenses so he can pass the ball to the nearest player?

Cristiano maybe the better individual player, but Messi is the ultimate team player who doesn’t need to score goals in order to help his team win.

Messi vs Ronaldo

David Ramos/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates during the celebrations for winning the Spanish Liga at the Camp Nou Stadium on May 13, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Jo-Ryan Salazar:

Lionel Messi. Simply put, FC Barcelona is better than Real Madrid. And it’s depressing that Cristiano Ronaldo has degenerated into an overrated primadonna. Sad, really.

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso:

I tend to agree with the observation by Jo-Ryan Salazar and Cesar Diaz concerning Messi. It appears that Messi is down to earth and has a good head on his shoulder. Ronaldo may be a great football player but he allowed the fame to get to his head.

I want to thank Cesar Diaz and Jo-Ryan Salazar for their participation in the round table discussion. I would also like to extend an invitation to the BR Readers in expressing their opinion of this subject.

The only recommendation is to please keep the comments in a tasteful and respectful manner. Thank You.