–
Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 00:30
–
Because of the corona crisis, the football fan realizes how much fun the game brings him or her. A beautiful passing action, a splitting through pass or an effective panenka: almost every aspect of a match is missed. The two footballers who have entertained the public the most in the past decade are undoubtedly Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The eternal discussion remains: who is better? Twelve players have played together with both top players and can judge from experience what makes the two unique. Who just has an edge over the other?
By Tim Siekman
Some English prominent people recently expressed their preference. David Beckham, Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney were united: Ronaldo is a phenomenon, but Messi is just a little bit better. “Messi is on a different level. There is no one as good as Messi, he is unique,” said Beckham. In turn, Carragher laughed away the doubt that Messi would perform as well at another club like Barcelona. The former defender sees that Ronaldo changes clubs to prove himself to the people who always compare him to the Argentinian. “I think he knows he’s always seen as the number two just behind Messi.” Despite his friendship with Ronaldo, Rooney also chose Messi. “Cristiano is merciless in the sixteen meters, a killer. But Messi, he tortures you before he kills you. He has a little more fun in his game.”
The Derby County attacker did add that the duo is way above the rest. “I don’t expect their stats to ever be matched,” said England and Manchester United’s top scorer of all time. The numbers of the attackers from Barcelona and Juventus are indeed impressive. In 856 games for Barcelona and the Argentina national team, 32-year-old Messi has so far reached 697 goals and 292 assists. Three-year-older Ronaldo, who has been active in his professional career for Sporting Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Portugal, scored 725 goals in 1000 games, also producing 222 assists.
Statistics from Messi and Ronaldo
| PLOW | MATCHES | GOALS | ASSISTS | GOALS AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 718 | 627 | 250 | 0.87 |
| Argentina | 138 | 70 | 42 | 0.51 |
| Total of Messi: | 856 | 697 | 292 | 0.81 |
| Sporting Portugal | 31 | 5 | 6 | 0.16 |
| Manchester United | 292 | 118 | 54 | 0.40 |
| Real Madrid | 438 | 450 | 119 | 1.03 |
| Juventus | 75 | 53 | 13 | 0.71 |
| Portugal | 164 | 99 | 30 | 0.60 |
| Total of Ronaldo: | 1000 | 725 | 222 | 0.73 |
If the absolute numbers are translated into a contribution by Messi and Ronaldo to their clubs and the national teams in minutes, the numbers speak slightly in favor of the former attacker. Messi scores every 100 minutes a goal, while he each 238 minutes delivers an assist. Ronaldo makes every 111 minutes a hit and takes care of per 365 minutes an assist. Statistics say a lot, but the indirect contribution of Messi and Ronaldo can also be crucial for their team. Twelve players have been lucky enough to work with both world stars. What do the (former) teammates think of both the Argentine and Portuguese?
1. Gerard Piqué: Messi
Messi’s teammate: 2008 to present (Barcelona)
Teammate of Ronaldo: 2004-06 and 2007/08 (Manchester United)
“Cristiano is the perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to get better,” the defender of Barcelona told AS. “He has already shown at United that he demands a lot from himself. He has helped me a lot in my time in Manchester.” Piqué stood opposite BT Sport about the twist: Messi or Ronaldo. “I have always said that Messi has a talent that nobody has. The ball is never two meters from his foot, he controls the ball very well. He is elusive. I don’t see this talent in anyone else. Ronaldo is the best in mankind , but Messi is not human. “
2. Henrik Larsson: Messi
Teammate of Ronaldo: 2007 (Manchester United)
Teammate of Messi: 2004-06 (Barcelona)
Together with Gerard Piqué, Larsson is the only player who has worked in a club with both Messi and Ronaldo. The former striker is happy that he played with both phenomena. “There is not much difference between the two. Cristiano is unlucky that he plays in the same era as Messi. Ronaldo is very good, but Messi is even better. He is otherworldly, incredible. If you see how he gets on with the ball you can hardly believe that someone else can do this too. A fantastic player to watch. “
André Gomes: undecided
Played with Ronaldo: 2014 to present (Portugal)
Played with Messi: 2016-18 (Barcelona)
Where almost every football fan has a clear preference, Gomes Messi and Ronaldo do not want to rank under any circumstances. “I’m not going to compare them out of respect,” said Everton’s current midfielder. “I will never answer that question. I am Portuguese and I cherish a lot of warmth for Cristiano, just as much warmth as I cherish for Messi, my former Barcelona teammate.”
4. Nélson Semedo: undecided
Played with Ronaldo: 2015 to present (Portugal)
Played with Messi: 2017 to the present (Barcelona)
Semedo also does not want to pass judgment. The fullback of Barcelona thinks it is an honor to be able to play with both superstars, but does not want to compare the two. “I have the privilege that I can play with both players,” the back said L’Esportiu. “I enjoy every moment that I’m on the field with them. I hope you understand me.”
5. Carlos Tévez: Messi
Played with Ronaldo: 2007-09 (Manchester United)
Played with Messi: 2005-15 (Argentina)
“I think it is normal for Ronaldo to think he is the best in the world. Anyone who scores 37 or 40 goals per season may think so. But if you ask me, I will always choose Messi,” said Tévez. “I have never seen Messi in the gym. Everything is with him, of course. Only his penalties are very trained. Cristiano always goes to the gym after training. It is an obsession for him, he wants to be the best at everything. He appears always early at work. “
6. Gonzalo Higuaín: undecided
Played with Ronaldo: 2009-13 (Real Madrid) and 2019 to present (Juventus)
Played with Messi: 2009-2019 (Argentina)
Higuaín is the only player who has worked with Ronaldo at two different clubs. “At Juventus, another player has arrived, more mature, with a family. I am happy that we have been reunited again,” said the Argentinian about the arrival of Ronaldo in Turin. When asked who he prefers to play with, Messi or Ronaldo, he remains flat. “That is easy to answer. They are beasts, both. Each has its own qualities. Your own game improves when you play with them.”
–
Gabriel Heinze: undecided
Played with Ronaldo: 2004-07 (Manchester United)
Played with Messi: 2005-10 (Argentina)
Heinze never expressed a clear preference for either of the two. “Cristiano Ronaldo has a lot of drive and enviable self-discipline. He continues to achieve the goal he has in mind,” said Heinze. About Messi: “Leo is inexplicable. In football terms you can conclude that he is not from this planet. And as a person he lives a quiet life. Admirable.”
8. Fernando Gago: Messi
Played with Ronaldo: 2009-11 (Real Madrid)
Played with Messi: 2007-17 (Argentina)
“For me, Ronaldo is not number one. The best in the world is Messi. Because of his style of play, how he moves the ball and how he can tilt matches. We all know that he has the ability to play a match in half. second for you to decide In every game for Argentina I felt he could let us win at any time He reads the game perfectly He has fought for years to be the best, that testifies to character He is the very best I’ve ever seen in my life, no doubt. “
9. Ezequiel Garay: Messi
Played with Ronaldo: 2009-11 (Real Madrid)
Played with Messi: 2007-15 (Argentina)
Garay does not wrap around. “When people ask me who is the best player ever, I say Leo,” said the defender in 2011. Garay was immediately impressed by Rosario’s football wizard. “From the moment I first saw him at Argentina’s Under-15 to this day, he continues to amaze me. He knows no bounds.”
10. Paulo Dybala: undecided
Played with Ronaldo: 2018 to the present (Juventus)
Played with Messi: 2015 to the present (Argentina)
In almost every interview, Dybala is asked about his collaboration with both Ronaldo and Messi, but the creative does not express a preference. “I’m the only player who currently shares a locker room with both players. People only see the tip of the iceberg, not the work they do. They really haven’t won that many awards because they’re so lucky. And yes, I understand that ask people about it. Who is better? I cannot answer that. It is impossible to compare the two and to say who is the best. They are together at the highest level, far above the rest. “
Dybala: ‘positively surprised by friendly character Cristiano Ronaldo’
11. Deco: Messi
Played with Ronaldo: 2003-10 (Portugal)
Played with Messi: 2004-08 (Barcelona)
Deco is deeply impressed by Ronaldo’s work ethic, but ultimately opts for Messi. “There is no doubt that Messi is the best player in the world. He does incredible things and keeps breaking records. I think Cristiano is almost as good as Messi. They are both phenomenal footballers, but in a different way. They are by far the best footballers in the world, “said the former midfielder.
12. Angel Di María: Messi
Played with Ronaldo: 2010-14 (Real Madrid)
Played with Messi: 2009 to present (Argentina)
Earlier this year, Di María repeated opposite TyC Sports that he thinks Messi is the very best. “It was a dream to play with players like Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With these players I usually played on the PlayStation, I never thought I would ever become a colleague of theirs. Leo is the best out of four, Cristiano is a monster. “
Conclusion
Of the twelve players who have played with both Messi and Ronaldo, none want to designate Ronaldo as the better, while a total of seven (former) footballers opt for the Argentinian. Usually the reason is cited that Messi is a natural talent, while Ronaldo is a very hard worker. Former enfant terrible Antonio Cassano, who claims to be one of the greatest lost talents of recent years, recently joined the discussion Sky Italia together. “I do not deny that Ronaldo is a total champion, but he will never act at the level of Messi. It is the truth. Messi’s talent is Mother Nature. I will always put him above Ronaldo. Ronaldo is something ‘built’, Messi is Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, Diego Maradona. He is something we will never see again in our lives. “
<! –->
–
