We are a very lucky generation to have grown up in the lifetime in which the best two footballers ever have played in the history of the beautiful game. With both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both coming to the end of their careers within the next couple of years, it will be a sad day when they hang up the boots, but we look back today and compare their careers.
Let’s first look at the Champions League first due to it being the biggest club competition on the planet – Ronaldo has won it five times including 3 times in a row with Real Madrid; Messi has won it 4 times but with Juventus being knocked out this season, Barcelona are 7/1 to win the tournament this season for Messi to equal Ronaldo’s record. Here are a list of Betting Sites Not on Gamstop in which you’d be able to find odds like this and many more on unrestricted markets.
Team Messi fans will argue that advanced statistics prove that Messi is better due to him making decisions and more importantly decisions for the team that bring greater value to Messi. His Expected Points Added (EPA) , the rate of how much their goals add to their win probability is higher than Ronaldo’s. Messi’s EPA stands at 59.6 compared to Cristiano’s 50.4.
Also, they go on to say that Messi is a better team player – not only is he a tremendous scorer and playmaker, he also ensures that everyone around him becomes better too. Not only does he have more assists and key passes than Ronaldo in less games, but his tactical intelligent and football brain are streets ahead of Ronaldo.
On the other hand, though, Ronaldo is a more advanced player compared to Messi being a more talented player. Ronaldo’s combo of physical and technical ability makes him one of the most feared players on the planet. 6”1’ of pure muscle, jumps like a salmon, electric pace and powerful shooting makes him virtually the complete athlete.
Messi has always had the same team around him, the same players and ultimately had the better team compared to Ronaldo’s. Messi has known the majority of his teammates for years since he has been at the giants since he was 10 and has grown up in the Barcelona mould. Ronaldo has challenged himself in multiple different leagues, different managers and ultimately been successful wherever he’s been.
With all the above points, we could go into further detail, but the debate can be endless due to it being that close – in fact we believe there is no right answer in this debate and it’s all just opinion.