6. Best Performance
Cristiano Ronaldo: Performance: Barcelona 1 2 Real Madrid 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhk08ygWD4s The stage was set for an extraordinary Real Madrid collapse when the title was already theirs, a loss here would really have put the pressure on and could have seen them surrender the title to Barcelona. Ronaldo, Real Madrids outstanding performer last season, had just about kept them ahead and then in this performance he overwhelmed Barcelona, outshone Messi and took Madrid to the title with a coolly finished goal on a classic Madrid counter. Ronaldo doesnt turn up to the big matches? Pah.
Lionel Messi: Performance: Barcelona 3 1 Manchester United, 2011 Champions League final http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYQMofarIE It was a special day, Barcelona completely destroyed Manchester United to the extent that a 3-1 score line looks quite reasonable. Messi was the key, man of the match and overwhelmingly good in all areas of the pitch. He created, he scored, he ran Manchester United ragged and won his 3rd Champions League winners medal at the age of 24.
Talking points: Both these clips show a bit of the players weaknesses as well, Messi at times looks flustered and overwhelmed by fearsome closing down and tackling which begins to highlight why many people say he would never make it in the Premier League, only when Manchester United start to tire does he truly take control of the game. Also Ronaldos final pass is sometimes weak and can encumber a teams progression.
Who wins on best performance:Ronaldo, Im sorry but in the context of the match; the drama, the ability of Barcelona, what would have happened to Madrid if they lost that match. Ronaldo almost individually carried Madrid to the title last season when they looked to be faltering and this performance, in which he outclassed and outshone Messi by a street, is one of the greatest in recent memory.
Overall...
Ronaldo. According to my ranking system (as official as it is), Ronaldo beats Messi in 3 categories whilst Messi only surpasses Ronaldo in 1; and why shouldnt it be? Messi is a brilliant passer, a visionary and incredibly talented player who brings Barcelona to the level they are but he has his weaknesses just as much as Ronaldo does, in game pressuring can overwhelm him, Barcelonas style crushes his individuality at times and limits his potential. He has the odd occurrence of mind bending skill and individual ability that reminds us of who he is and what he does but when it comes to spectacle, style, skill and all around technical ability it is no-one but Ronaldo. He tricks, he dives, he over styles his hair but at the end of the day hes a player who consistently gets you out of your seat. Messi mastered the basics and uses them exceptionally, Ronaldo mastered the basics and decided they were too pedestrian for him; and that makes him the most exciting, and best player in the world.