Football lovers across the world have adored Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for more than 20 years now because of their exceptional skill and unheralded determination to be the very best. Their rivalry has caused debate after debate as both bagged a number of records and claimed to have achieved things that are yet to be achieved. But who out of the two is ‘The Greatest Of All Time’ without any shadow of a doubt? It’s time we analyze the colossal careers of both athletes and appreciate the nuances.
Pathebooks
Messi and Ronaldo both have achieved the highest accolades in their career but if you look closer, their paths diverge from each other in more than one way.
- Messi: The wonder from Argentina became a part of Barcelona F C’s youth team when he was just a teenager and with the odds stacked against him in the name of growth hormone deficiency. With his remarkable control over dribbling, he quickly established himself as a legend. Messi spent more than 20 years with FC Barcelona bagging 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues, and winning 8 Ballon d’Or awards. The icing on the cake was claiming the World Cup with Argentina and quickly after that Internship Miami signed him.
- Ronaldo: This Portuguese star began his career at Sporting CP and proceeded to leave an imprint at Manchester United. After that, he went to Real Madrid where he won numerous trophies, including 5 Champions League titles, while breaking records. Later, he exhibited his skills at Juventus and is now at Al-Nassr. With 5 Ballon d’Or wins and 7 league titles, alongside an international victory in Euro 2016, his career exemplifies his ability and dominance in different leagues.
Kings of Goals
Both players have rewritten the record books with their goal-scoring prowess.
Ronaldo maintains the lead with 927 career goals while Messi trails with 852. Messi does shine regarding efficiency, though, recording a 0.78 goals-per-game ratio compared to Ronaldo’s 0.73. While it is true that Ronaldo has scored more hat-tricks (66 vs. 59), Messi’s performance during critical games makes him a more dependable goal-scorer.
Magic of Playmaking
Ronaldo may excel as a ruthless goal scorer but Messi holds the title of the best playmaker in football history.
Messi leads assists by a considerable margin as well, with 381 while Ronaldo has 257. His exceptional vision, dribbling, and pinpoint passing turn him into a double threat, allowing him to score and create chances for his teammates.
Dribbling Skills
The spellbinding dribbling of Messi is absolute eye candy. Lionel strives to score goals with unmatched foot speed, dribbling, and close body control.
Messi’s 3,855 successful dribbles spank Reanldo’s 1,891. Even though Ronaldo’s use of raw stamina stepovers aids him a lot in getting past defenders, it is Messi’s smoothness and gliding past defenders that makes him the better dribbler.
Aerial Dominance
When it comes to any skill involving jumping and heading, Ronaldo is second to none.
Ronaldo also holds the record for the most headed goals scored with 154 with Messi only behind him with a mere 28. Ronaldo’s superior physicality teamed with impeccably timed movement in soccer makes him a danger in the air to all defenders.
Shot accuracy
Messi holds the edge when it comes to precision and executing the shot.
Currently listed with a 46.19 percent shot accuracy, Ronaldo still trails Messi’s measurement of 40.40 percent. Even with the lesser number of shots taken 3,845 vs 4,861, https://achievement-compass-c4e0a9.webflow.io/ shows that their ability to convert chances varies significantly. In this case, Ronaldo takes the lead.
Set Piece masters
Ronaldo and Messi both have added their names under the most penalty or free kick goals scored but in their own unique way and style.
Messi is known to dominate when it comes to free kicks, netting 66 goals compared to Ronaldos 64.
On the other hand, Ronaldo tears it up from the penalty spot scoring 173 goals at an 85% success rate while Messi sits behind with 109 on 78%.
If penalties were poker, Ronaldo could be pictured as a high-risk gambler known to keep calm in crazy places.
Trophies and Awards
The heights of success in football are etched in trophies and accolades, for which Messi is slightly ahead.
Currently, Messi is leading with 46 career trophies, while Ronaldo only has 35. Messi also outperformed Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or titles, with 8 versus 5, and Golden Boots, with 6 to 4. However, Ronaldo still rules the Champions League, winning 5 times compared to Messi’s 4. Although both have incredible careers, Messi’s World Cup win gives him a clear edge over the two.
Record-Breaking Feats
The pair’s astounding records solidify the legacy status in honor of their name.
Messi’s record for most goals in a calendar year is 91 in 2012, Perez does not think this is a marvelous achievement that can be broken. Within the same event, Ronaldo achieved the record for the most goals in the UEFA Champions League, 140+ goals, and the most international goals at 135+. Their legacy will live on for the next generations.
An Epic Rivalry
There will never be a definite answer on Messi and Ronaldo’s competition. Messi is a true artist of the field with his mystical dribbling, playmaking, and ball control. In contrast, the unstoppable force Ronaldo is a product of insane athleticism, versatility, and unquenchable goal-scoring appetite. Regardless of whether you cheer for Messi’s grace or Ronaldo’s brute force, it is undeniable that football has been transformed forever, and we are fortunate to witness the change.
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