Who is the better soccer player: Ronaldo or Messi? (Video)
By Josh Hill
We attempt to get to the heart of Europe’s hottest topic: Is Ronaldo or Messi the better player?
While most American sports fans use their downtime to bicker about Michael Jordan and LeBron James, there’s a hotter debate happening in Europe. The discussion of whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the better footballer is one that trumps the MJ vs. LeBron debate in every way.
It’s a lifestyle, there’s no middle ground. You’re either all-in for Messi or unequivocally in Ronaldo’s camp.
To be fair, there is room for some debate, as each player is iconic in their own right. Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid, winners of three consecutive Champions League titles. He’s a model who happens to be tremendously gifted at soccer and is one of Europe’s fiercest competitors. When it gets down to crunch time, and the match is close, if you have Ronaldo you always have a chance.
Meanwhile, Messi is the more technically sound player. Where no one scores goals as effortlessly as Ronaldo, Messi will pick you apart on his way to scoring some mind-numbing goal. It’s not as sexy a style of soccer, but when history records both of their careers it will favor the technicality of Messi over that of his counterpart.
It’s a deeper debate than surface-level comparisons, as the answer is such a photo finish that all the evidence needs to be added up and examined.
They’re so neck-and-neck it almost feels unfair to choose just one. Messi has the most goals in La Liga history, while Ronaldo has the most in Champions League history. They both trail each other as second placers in respective categories.
Messi has more Golden Boots, a credit to his technically sound style, and is better at dribbling his way to goals. Ronaldo is better off the ball and is always in the right position to score with a header. Both have scored over 600 goals in their careers.
The facts can only speak to part of the debate, the final decision is up to the individual.