It’s a well trodden debate which seemed to conclude when Barcelona won the Champions League and League double in 2011, headed by Lionel Messi who won Fifa World Player of the Year and the Ballon D’or for the third year in succession.
However this year has seen a shift in the balance of power towards that of Cristiano Ronaldo, often heralded in the pre-Messi era as the greatest individual player on the planet but one with selfish tendencies and overly stylised hair (just how does he do that? How?) but under Mourinho’s stewardship at Madrid has become a team player, contributor and icon perhaps best epitomised by his performance in last year’s second El Clasico where he scored the winner and overshadowed Messi in an inspirational performance.
Yes, some football high-and-mighties may say that a midfielder is a better position on the pitch, or a defender, but the truth is no players on earth rival Ronaldo or Messi when it comes to raw technical ability, showmanship and pant-wetting spectacle and that’s why they are the figureheads of this footballing debate.
Who is the best? We’re just about to find out.
Click “next” to begin our investigation..
30 Sexiest WAGs Of 2012
50 Sexiest Women You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
10 Most Paused Movie Moments
Football’s Worst Ever Cheating Divers
10 Great Footballers Who Made Terrible Managers
100 Greatest Premier League Players Of All Time
50 Great Footballers Who Ruled 2012
15 Worst Ever Premier League Signings
Want to become the official WhatCulture blogger for your football favourite team? Click here to get started.
48 Comments
Who’re you my friend? A Portuguese? Your judgments are just ridiculous and you have not a clue about football.
This is true reality. You always hear someone saying that Messi is the best, some say the best in history. Messi is Messi in Barcelona and we all know that. He cannot handle pressure unlike Ronaldo. The 5-0 win over real Madrid and the shocking season that Barcelona had were not enough to turn off Ronaldo. He never gave up and surprised us when everything seemed impossible. Ronaldo had an incredible season even in the euros when he took Portugal to semis.
This is laughable!!compare messi to ronaldos overall goal per game and messes is much higher,assist messi is much higher,if you want to compare them since ronaldos been in spain then use messi from 09-010 onwards stats which probably just outdo ronaldo,also you forgot the champion league where messi record is another level to ronaldos also internationally!!/ they are the same,messi is younger and doenst play in a better team he plays with great strikers and apart from di maria a bad team!! and ronaldso passing as good as messi hahaha that is an insane comment as messi is the highest assister in the world this season oh and scorer in the league and cl also ronaldo great at euros!!? did you see his first 2 games!! he’s been good for 2 games and bad for 2 games and messi has 8 goals in his last 4 games for argentina also head to head barca v madrid messi has a far superior record!! this is the most biased thing ever!! is your last name Ronaldo by any chance!! heres facts not opinions for you,this season messi more goals,more assist in league,cl and for country and more ballon d ors also he makes barca the best without him they’d be half the team fact.
On passing, I said Ronaldo’s is as good as Messi’s but he opts not to use it, which is a negative part about him.
Ridiculous article. Messi has more goals, more assists, broke every goal scoring record possible and his running ability is unrivalled whereas ive seen peter crouch score a better long range goal than ronaldos. Messi is more versatile, forward, winger or even centre mid with his vision. Your just bias towards ronaldo whos performance against barca was good but im pretty sure messi scored 5 in 1 game vs bayer leverkusen. Stupid conclusion
I am in no way denying that Messi is an exceptional player, the crux of my argument is that he lacks versatility. He’s awesome for Barcelona but when you’re in THAT team playing a way designed to suit YOU, when you’re an exceptional footballer you’re going to succeed.
Ronaldo has performed in a more physical league and in that clip from Messi’s best performance he was brilliant, but if any player really went at him he panicked because he can’t handle it. Until Messi does it in another League with a team not designed to suit him like Barcelona are I will always believe Ronaldo is better because you can drop him anywhere and he will pull it off.
“you can drop him anywhere” = you can make him the focal point of what was the best team in England or you can make him the focal point of the new Galacticos. I think that pushing Rooney to the wing and Tevez to the bench is a pretty solid indication that the team is built around you. Likewise, Ronaldo is now the focal point of RM.
If your article was called “I like ronaldo more and thats why I’m picking him over messi” then thats fine – no one would hold your opinion against you. But to try to use an objective system to back up your personal preference is always going to be controversial.
Especially if you claim that Ronaldo is better simply because he dives and uses hair gel.
Obviously who ever wrote this article is either from Portugal or a Real Madrid supporter. You are entitled to your opinion, however not everyone will agree with your opinion. Messi for me is the best ever.
Why is he the best player when we can clearly see that it is Ronaldo?
I am Liverpool fan saying this btw. The only reason people think Ronaldo is worse is because everyone thinks he plays for himself, if he played for himself i don’t think he would have assists. If you’re gonna comeback, DON’T, because you have no argument Ronaldo was able to win the Fifa World Player of The Year and the Ballon d’Or in the most physical league in the world. When Messi does then you can reply.
I would say that both of them are great players. Even Ronaldo is a very good player. Maybe he’s not performing as good as Messi is because Messi have a greater support by good players in Barcelona like Xavi and Iniasta. Sometimes even Messi is helpless when he’s playing for his country. Its because he doesn’t have the right support which he has in Barcelona.
I hate how people seem outraged that someone has a different opinion to them. ‘laughable’ and ‘ridiculous’ is it? No, it’s just different to yours. Why not just say ‘cool, but I disagree and here’s why…’ instead of getting all worked up.
Perfect article Ronaldo ita truly the best player. Individually he is better than messi he has abilitities messi dont have. Hes a good header strong kick and physically powerful. Messi is Messi with barcelona I doubt he will be that good in the Premier league.
Only thing i disagree is barcelona is still barcelona without messi. On the other hand barcelona without xavi or iniesta they arent that good reason why in the early 11′ season they lost points and Madrid went up.
The most tellig factor for me is how teams treat the threat of these two guys. Ronaldo is left one-on-one with defenders, he’s treated just the same as Rooney, RVP, Aguero, they are all huge goal threats that teams will try to keep quiet by the usual tactics. As long as you can keep with them, not give them too much space, stay strong, have a body in the way, these things go along way to nullifying their threat. If they find some space, beat you to a chance then they’ll most likey score, it’s impossible to deny these guys for a whole game you just hope they don’t hurt you with the chances they may get.
With Messi though teams go up against him as if they HAVE to keep him quiet or he’ll just rip you apart. Leave him absolutely no time, no space, give him a wall of players to get past, leave him nothing at all to work with. Speaks volumes to me and I bet defenders and defensive midfielders hardest game of the season, where they do the most running and expend the most energy is on match days trying to stop Messi.
As freedom expression entitles, you are too entitled to present your own baised opinion and this is still cool.However, no fair and rational person can agree with your flagrantly baised viewpoint. who would agree with me if i tried to compare chivchenko,or Theirry Honery, or pirlo, or Ronaldino or Ronaldo (brazil) ect with BIG MESSI.Definetly no one-if the persons i am assuming for this argument are fiar and rational!!! The same is true, no fair and rational person agree with the author of this article in his attempt to compare Cristiano Ronaldo with messi. To the matter of fact, these players are great players with incredible talent in football history. Nontheless, thanks to technology world eyes are watching,it is impossible to compares those players with messi. His mesmerizing pass,phenomenal dribbiling skill, unbelieveable scorring ability (more scores,more goals, more assists than Ronaldo)and even his pleasant character made Messi by far to excels overshadows those players TO BE ALONE IN HIS OWN LEAGUE as a shinning super star. I am neither Portuguese and realmadrid supporter nor white man, but by verue of the talent I came to admire Messi more than any other above mentioned players. Finally i can only campare ZENEDIN ZIDAN, DIAGO MARADONA and PELE with MESSI. I would even say MESSI is best player of all time from those four WORLD CLASS players but i don’t want to be baised too thus i would prefer to to leave this judgment to the football experts who understand the dynamism of foot ball.
Well i don’t know when you goes on to cherish about Messi ,You always praise his passing,His dribbling,Scoring but at the same time why you dont consider C.Ronaldo’s headers,Freekicks,his shooting,his long range shots…
n mind you CR nowhere less in Scoring too…
it is good that individuals to have thier opinion but if you see the facts on the ground, Lionel Messi by far outshines ronaldo. it is only plausible to compare messi with zidan or maradona or pele. what wonders me most is when people trying to build thier arguement around the idea that barca did not win la liga and champion league this year but Realmadrid won la liga title and therefore Ronaldo is better than messi. this is really rediclous. how one sensible person think that Barca should always win la liga title?? or champion league??
It’s not about statistics.
Messi has better character. Better style. A better person than Ronaldo.
It shows in the way he plays the game. He fleets past defenders like a cold wind. It’s like seeing a young George Best alive again. He’s simply the best football player in the world right now.
Ronaldo is a preening show pony who, yes, plays great football at times but, somehow still leaves most viewers with a bad taste in their mouth. Most professional footballers hate him. He is a childish tinkle-toes ball-hog who dives, and moans and pulls ugly faces like a baby in a tantrum.
And I am a fervent Manchester United fan.
The best trick the Devil ever pulled was selling a narcissistic knave to the Spanish King for 80 million British pounds.
lol why do you all read this article then if you already have your opinion made up? you all have your own biases also so dont just blast the author. Other people have opinions too retards
Sorry, but your arguments were not logical but biased. By d way, world best is voted, and whoever wins is the best bcos majority carries d vote. There is no need to reiterate what others have been saying, but it is quite clear you think ronaldo is better bcos of his looks.
Ah you caught me! Me being a hetro-sexual male in a long term relationship with a woman, it’s obvious my bias is because I find Cristiano Ronaldo SO attractive.
It agood debata to compare Messi and C Ronaldo but most conside the debate basing on their teams eg most of those who support R Madrid and M United favour C Ronaldo and most of those who support Barc Messi but in reality Messi is more than more to Ronaldo.Question to every one what about other players like Iiesta,Xhavi,David Silva etc belong because they are also good according to mi
Hi guyz, my doubt is dis, d year CAF gave drogba of chelsea African best player of d year hz same year Great Eto of Barca won nt one bt 6 trophies wth barca n Drogba won jst 1 EPL trophy, so i fear d@ same error ‘ll nt rob L.Messi of dis year’s world best player wth all his amusein statistices.
everyone has a different opinion on whos better. its pointless comparing them.
Very accurate article… Cristiano definitely outperformed Messi this season.
Why is it Messi is considered amongst the best to ever play and Ronaldo not? I havent heard Ronaldos name mentioned with the Peles and Maradonnas once. There is a reason for this and im waiting for someone to tell me why……
Why do you have to always listen to the great players of the past. Maradonna and Pele are of course great players which doesn’t mean that what they say are always true. They have predicted many World Cups but did they get it right always?
messi and ronaldo are two gr8 footballers with exceptionally different football skills,while cr7 is physical,skillful n arrogant,Leo is skillful,humble,physical,unselfish n gud assister moreso a gud n decent model 4 children,stil younger.
Nice article;Ronaldo is realy realy best player than messi because of his attackingstyle,its not easy to perfom how Ronaldo do.but messi anyone can learn easier.
This is the stupidest article that I’ve ever heard. It uses the basis of particular instances in time to support Ronaldo! Messi is by far the more consistent player. In every game there is guarenteed to be a special moment for Messi. And also, have you forgoten that Messi is 2 years younger, and it’s said that footballers usually reach their peak when they are around 26-29. Ronaldo is 27 and Messi just turned 25 – what does that say???
Most people dont know football,you are saying messi is de best becoz of xavi&iniesta?do they help him 2dribble 5defenders and score? Instead u shuld be saying ronaldo is scoring goals becoz of ozil&di miria as it is de only thing hez doing ryt now.scoring goals,missing 1 on 1 chances,wasting free kicks,being even more selfish.i mean messi is just a magician,hez helping iniesta 2score goals and creat sum goals 4himself. MESSI IS JUST THE BEST
Messi at 27 yrs wil score more than 400 goals compared 2 ronaldo current tally of 260 goals in hz whole career…….messi z there 2 break pele official club goals at the age of 29 yrs if nt hampered wid injuries
this is the most stupid,foolish and erroneous article i ve ever read, what kind of voodoo analysis is this? or the writer is blind
Messi is better
Both r very gud pleyers..
Ronaldo is da most attractive player…got evrythin
Messi is a genuis…..though he hasn’t got wat cr7 got
Ronaldo luvs football
Football luvs Messi
Rolando is a class apart and 4 that case messi should test other leagues just like Christiano has then i will give my judgment as 4 now Christiano is much better
CR7 is the greatest ever bcos he shows himself in EPL, and he make LALIGA more entertaining league, he scores 40 goals in his 2nd laliga seasons, while MESSI hasn’t done dat 4 more than 4 seasons b4 CR7 joined him.let MESSI leave BARCA and come 2 EPL and score 40 goals in a season bcos CR7 has done dat in EPL, b4 we know wether MESSI is better than CR7.
This article is quite a disgrace…why compare a mere man to a god? :) Okay, lets get serious now… Ronaldo is good, Messi is as the closest to perfection. Point blank period.
Messi is the greatest of all time. Pah!
When messi was asked about ronaldos comment stating he had been sent down by the footballing gods to play football…..messi simply replied “I didn’t send anyone”
it is just too obvious dat Messi is a god of soccer, he score more free kick nw dan ronaldo.something inspire me with d king Leo hes very humble,respectful,very jovial n generous.more ronaldo is a player while Messi is players cos hes more of a complete player dats y hes being compared with Maradona n Pele.
i want u people 2 know one thing being world best is beyond just scoring goals,but i will keep saying it and i will never get tired of saying it dat Messi is d best in d world no one 2 be compared with him nw cos he lead others follow.
Cristiano or Messi? The best football player ever is Eusebio da Silva!
Ronaldo is a gud playa no doubt but dia is one tin i neva undastand abou messi,even thou ronaldo has som qualities dat messi doesn hav but ao com he can do evrtin,a short guy who can outshine a tall guy,wit dat short leg ball wil stil glue to his leg,is it d strength,d sharpnes,d pace,all dis tins are rear in a short peeson but messi can even do dis mor dan d persn dat has all dis qualities.i just wan pple to undastand dat messi is a prodigy in ftbal
messi is best because he is the best.
I srongly believe that Leona messi is the best and still the best in the world.
CR7 Is better dan messi becuz he scores overrall spain
Messi is better than ronaldo reason why is that ronaldo is selfish
Da argument as to who is the best La Pulga and CR7 is probably gonna carry on 4 da next 4 yrs or so
You used no stats what so ever to compare, all these observations are subjective and not concrete making this entire article completely invalid and the context in truth was just awful. Completely subjective to what YOU’RE opinions are and had no relevant hard evidence. In short, you made it clear why you are a perennial underachiever by the lack of depth and emotional rather than logical writing.