Who was the better player? Ronaldo or Messi? That was the question every football aficionado was asking. Both players were and still are in contention to be named the FIFA World Footballer of the Year. I’m not here to answer who has been the better player this year, at least not yet. (I’ll do that at a more appropriate time) My answer simply reflects who was the better player in this series, The Champions League Semi-Final.
Ronaldo frustrated United fans all over the world repeatedly. He wasn’t playing to his full potential, and the constant tumbling, followed by demanding a call, was really getting on my last nerves. But I believe Ronaldo did what he set out to do. He drew a lot of attention, which indirectly led to Uniteds goal. Ronaldo drew 3 Barcelona defenders to him just before Zambrotta cleared the ball. A ball that landed on the feet of Scholes, who had all the time in the world to get off the perfect shot, time that he wouldn’t have had if Ronaldo hadn’t drawn those defenders.
Messi also didn’t play to his full potential. That’s understandable considering he was coming back from an injury. Messi did carry the ball more than Ronaldo. He took 3 shots to Ronaldo’s 1. He made 30 accurate passes and only 6 bad passes to Ronaldo’s 18 accurate and 7 bad ones.
I believe Messi was the better player in this series, because he had to be. Ronaldo had more talent around him as was able to play more tactically instead of being involved directly like Messi did.
Tags: Barcelona, FIFA, Manchester United, Messi, Ronaldo
i think Ronaldo is better. Messi do dribbling well, but he cant do more. Otherside Ronaldo take corner, freekick, dribbling, long shot etc. Ronaldo can do everything what football wants. I think Ronaldo is a first class football package..
Let me first say that I am probably the biggest Cristiano Ronaldo fan on the planet – aside from my wife.
However, I have to agree with Tony in that the constant whining and crying after being fouled (or not) is getting EXTREMELY tiresome. Last I checked, football/soccer was a contact sport. There will be banging around and falling, live with it. If you think you were fouled, fine, but don’t sit on your arse with your hands in the air making the pouty face. That does absolutely nothing to help or inspire your team. You get knocked down, get up and go win the ball back. Rooney is especially good at this, the only problem with him is that when he finally catches up to the person, it usually earns him a yellow! But that’s the tenacity Ronaldo needs to show whether he is on the ball, or on the ground.
To his credit, he has actually reduced, almost completely, the out and out dives. He’s moved on to trying to sell the foul, but he’s be better served to just PLAY.
One thing that should be noted for the return leg is that Ronaldo was asked to play a higher position than normal – second striker – and it was not his JOB to carry or pass the ball necessarily. I think the hope was that he would receive, create space, shoot. The problem with that equation was the “receive” portion. When you’re triple-teamed, there is little chance you’ll get a clean reception. The triple did work in that it gave others more of a chance to penetrate deeper than they normally would. While Scholes *used* to be known for shooting from the range he scored from, those of us that follow Manchester United know that he rarely gets that deep into the attacking half anymore. He’s normally 15 yards (or better) nearer to his end and is there for ball distribution.
The statistics are correct, but they are only part of the story. Overall, I would say Deco had a better game than both Messi and Ronaldo. He came and played with passion, got off a few rockets that made me sick to my stomach until I saw them go wide. Deco definitely looked the most dangerous…
messi was obviously better in the semis but over this season I can Ronaldo will pick any award pickable all over the world ….he has been just unstoppable hopefully he will score against chelsea and those who thinks he doesn’t perform in big games can shut the crap…any soccer lover who will like to interact with other fans and dicuss any soccer related issues should check out Soccer fan base dot com it is free to join.
Why is this question is still asked ? Why all the argument ? Even last year Ronaldo was the better player than Messi and even Kaka, yes, even Kaka. What did Messi win last season with Barca ? Zip. And Kaka ? One ECL Semi final and suddenly he was a better player than Ronaldo.
This year if FIFA doesn’t give the award to Ronaldo, then they don’t know a nut about football.
Ronaldo is the best player on the planet for the last decade, he is probably the best ever pf all time after Maradona. Hell, he might even be the player of the century for the 21st century. That’s how good he is…
Why is this question still being asked? I will tell you why!
Because until Cristiano wins a major tournament. Like a Champions League or a Euro Cup, Messi and Kaka will have one up on him. Both Messi and Kaka have a Champions League title and Kaka has a World Cup to his name.
Messi does too, even if it was the U-20 World Cup
Like I said before, I am a Cristiano fan. And I agree, Cristiano deserves the FIFA Player of the Year award, this year!
Oh and FYI its the Coaches and Captains of International teams that vote for the FIFA Player of the Year. I think they know a thing or two about football.
To be honest, both Messi and Ronaldo played rubbish or not as expected. Ronlado didn’t play a part in Manchester Uniteds win. It was a team effort. Brilliant goal from scholes brings back a lot of memories.
are you kidding me messi is way better than ronaldo and i know that deep down inside you all agree ronaldo does nothing but whine and is probably one of the most cocky arrogant players in the game he always plays individually he is not a team player just look at the euro cup nuno gomes obviously didnt know what he was doing in choosing ronaldo to be capitain and when he did they did nothing but get eliminated from the euro cup i personally thought that that showed alot of disrespect toward the older much better players say deco he has done nothing but show us that he cant play well under pressure (hence the penalty miss both against barca and chelsea) i think he just hides when big games come up but shines against much worse teams messi is the greatest football player in the world he is younger then ronaldo and none of you can deny the fact that he is much more mature then ronaldo after scoring the goal of the century against getafe he was just happy cause they won the game c’mon enough said and hans you cant be serious about even comparing ronaldo to maradona he is dirt compared to him what all you guys need to is get off this manu site and go out to other sites and see how many other people agree with me and watch out cuz if cr7 gets his way you will be losing your beloved player to a stupid real madrid
i agree with fasi completely messi is the best player in the world by a long shot
RONALDO is the better between the two.
Lets discuss and analyse the two…
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THE SIMILARILTY
Both are almost equals in technical skills and team play and talent, both are close in terms of taking on players 1v1, i am a great fan of both. Both are of the explosive kind that takes your breath away.
THE DIFFERENCE
Ronaldo edges out messi in terms of physical attributes,
ronaldo is better than messi aerially: 185cm(ronaldo) VS 169cm(messi)
thus ronaldo is better than messi at corners and defensively. Ronaldo is a better defender than messi too. Although both are not known for their defensive ability.
Messi is however a more likable person on and off the pitch, but that is still unable to over come the vastly superior physical advantage of ronaldo. Being likable and humble help not so much on the pitch….
I always felt that ronaldo is in a more difficult league in the EPL, faster and more physical, thus i think ronaldo’s move to real madrid would be the litmus test to see whos the better player, now that hes in liga……..
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2417916.ece
ronaldo wins 2 to 1 votes.
ronaldo strengths:
pace and tricks, THE way he keeps the ball and his end product, HE is good in the air, two footed.
ronaldo weakness: petulance ( not so big a factor when the legs do the talking on the pitch)
messi strengths: get through the tightest of gaps, close control, better temperament
messi weakness: left-footed, If you can get him on the right side he won’t be as effective, poor in the air, slight physicality
When you compare two players, you can’t pick player “A’s” undisputable strengths and build your argument around that.
Case and point: “Ronaldo edges out Messi in terms of physical attributes.” No shit. Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency. Physical symptoms include loss of strength, stamina, and musculature. So that’s your whole argument? Ronaldo is bigger then Messi. Where was that strength and HEIGHT in the Champions League Final? Cause if I remember correctly it was the 5ft 7in (169 cm) Messi who scored a header.
Here is something you could argue, Ronaldo is better defensively. I am going to have to disagree with you on this one too. I have yet to see Messi lose a ball, throw his arms in the air, and walk back as he watches the rest of his team defend. And that is why Messi is more LIKABLE.
Messi scored 38 goals in 51 appearances this season. Ronaldo scored 26 in 53 appearances.
You also argued the EPL is a more difficult to play in than La Liga. I believe they are both extraordinary leagues. But for Messi to have led Barca to the Treble this season, something never before achieved by a Spanish team, says something about both Messi and La Liga.
Messi was better than Ronaldo this season and he will win the 2009 FIFA Player of the Year award.
i say ronaldo is far more better then messi because he can shot a ball from far more distance with both foot but messi only can shot with his left foot . and ronaldo skill are just unbeliable.. Messi cannot compair with ronaldo only maradona is compaired with ronaldo……
messi is also a good player but not good as ronaldo
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