Ronaldo Vs Messi: It Won’t Go Away

By: Rob | May 26th, 2009

Ronaldo Messi For the last two years, the Ballon d’or has arguably been decided by the Champions League. In 2007, when Milan took on Man United Kaka walked all over Ronaldo and showed the Portuguese how far away he was at that point from being the best.

Last season, Ronaldo’s amazing goal tally might well have meant very little had Leo Messi outshone him in the semi-final. Messi wasn’t properly fit for the first leg at least and only played for an hour, and as neither really shone over the two legs, it was left for Ronaldo to waltz to the biggest honour an individual player can win.

Now though, its the final. 90 minutes, with both fully fit, to decide who actually is the best player in the world, who can do it when the spotlight really is shining on them.

They are two very very good players, there is absolutely no escaping that. If its a stalemate between the two and one of the other gloriously gifted players on show (Eto’o, Xavi, Rooney, Berbatov, Iniesta, Giggs etc) provide the magic that wins their side the title, it probably is Messi who is ahead for the Ballon d’or at the moment. I think that could change if Ronaldo produces a moment to remember though.

The perception of the Portuguese is that he’s had a dissapointing season, but it isn’t really true. Man United have waltzed to the Premier League title on 90 points, won the Carling Cup and the World Club Cup, and he’s been the second highest top scorer in the league after spending a few months on the sidelines at the start.

Messi meanwhile had enjoyed a very good season. Shorn of the in-fighting from last year, Barca have, with the exception of a false start, not put a foot wrong. Between the front three, they’ve scored more goals than the entire Man United side put together. Messi has more than played his part in Barca’s wonderful return to greatness, and they have eased to a Spanish League Title, and cup double.

What is interesting is how they – Ronaldo in particular – divide people. Ronaldo is all vanity, preening and slightly obnoxious, while Messi is the boy next door, who doesn’t look at all stylish but it doesn’t matter because he doesn’t care. But all that is just image.

On the pitch, Ronaldo still is reviled as much as he’s revered because of his percieved cheating. He dives, he rolls around on the ground, he invites fouls, and he looks smug while he does it. He’s seen as classless basically. But anyone who follows La Liga will know that Lil Leo isn’t exactly adverse to breaking the rules either. Classy.

Comparing their attributes on the pitch is interesting, because although at first they seem similar players – even occupying the same position – the way they play is quite different. Messi, left footed playing on the right, likes to cut inside onto his good foot, then go on mazy dribbles, or maybe play a sweet one-two with a team mate to give him space for a shot.

Ronaldo, while he likes to run with the ball, and is very good is arguably not quite got the close control (though he crucially has more strength, when he uses it instead of going down) that Messi has. He does arguably have more to his game though. He’s got a mean cross on him and he is of course, far better in the air.

There used to be the old argument that Ronaldo didn’t show up in the big matches, but I think over the last couple of years he’s shown that isn’t really the case. Goals against Lyon, Roma and Chelsea (though missed penalties in both the latter two) in last season’s Champions League and then goals in all the knockout rounds this time too, I think show that he’s bigger than all that. Anyway, if Eamon Dunphy, previously Ronaldo’s biggest critic can be convinced that he’s “The Real Deal” then I think I can too.

Another level to the rivalry is the classic Nike Vs Adidas element. Messi has his boots paid for by Adidas while Ronaldo is souped by by their big rivals, Nike.

Both have a certain inventiveness, that makes them a joy to watch and what we can really, really hope for is that they both are on song, and we can enjoy a battle between the two finest footballers on planet earth. That’s not too much to ask is it?

Enjoy.