Messi vs Ronaldo
 

Lionel Messi vs Christiano Ronaldo

Went for Messi, his technique in tight spaces is the best in the world which I think makes him the most valuable playing currently in the world, otherwise there is very little to split them. Oh but Ronaldo is a **** who flopped at Euro.

Kaka back in the UCL should be a good thing to see this season too. He's a wisker behind these two currently.

Ineasta> both

Was the next Zidane according to Milan, however he has the 'failed in Serie A' tag hanging over his head.

Don't know about goal of the century but...
Brilliant, Ronaldo would dive and get a free kick before attempting such a run

Messi, but only just. Messi is better in terms of changing direction at full speed (Ronaldo tends to run straight at defenders), goal assists (more of a team player than Ronaldo - although both have a tendency to showboat), big match performer (UCL Final, WC 06 over Ronaldo's Euros and CL finals) and`most of all, he's a far better dribbler than Ronaldo. Ronaldo may have a better header and free kick but for me Messi's exceptional ground ball skills make him the better player.

Great run yeah, but not better close control than Gourcuff's goal.

Gourcuff was Ligue 1 player of the year this season as well, Milan would be stupid not to bring him back from his loan.

Then consider them stupid, because Bordeaux have just signed him permanently from Milan for £14m.

Would agree with a lot of that, but not necessarily your "big match performer" examples. Messi was better in this year's CL final than Ronaldo, but then everyone in the Barca side was better than just about everyone in the United side. Ronaldo played well in last year's final and has been consistently good in the tournament - particularly in the knockout rounds - over the past two seasons.

I'd also disagree with the WC 06 example. Messi was a bit-part player for a lot of the tournament, and although he was impressive when involved and was clearly a young man of phenomenal talent, he wasn't as influential for Argentina as Ronaldo was for Portugal - Ronaldo's clash with Rooney and his general diving antics have in retrospect overshadowed the fact that he had an impressive tournament. He was also outstanding at Euro 2004.

Makes sense I guess, he's not 49.

I STRONGLY disagree there. He was absolute rubbish at that Euro.

:laugh: Yeah good call.


I thought he was excellent, particularly for a 19 year old at his first major competition. Was named in the Team of the Tournament too IIRC.

*Posts pic of Tranmere player*

Ronaldo, both on par technically. But Ronaldo is stronger, a weakness in Messi's game that has been regularly exposed in CL games againts English sides.

'cept when it mattered the most, clue - CL Final

I thought it was clear Ronaldo was one of the few shining lights on the night for United. Messi although he scored a goal, was relatively kept quiet throughout the game...