Opinion
The long-standing debate between Lionel Messi devotees and those believing that Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest modern footballer is finally settled. Once and for all, it is done. Over. The little man from Rosario now stands alone as the supreme player of his generation.
For over a decade, discussions have raged as to which of the two men deserved head billing, with an array of statistics and analyses of their styles used to mount arguments on either side.
Sheer weight of goals, the percentage scored from the penalty spot, Ballon d’Ors and the number of hat-tricks achieved have all been raised by passionate fans at different points in time. Those statistics were generally used in an attempt to prove to people with steadfast and opposite views, that their man was indeed the best in the business.
Of course, such numerical facts can be tweaked, aligned and assembled in order to suit a particular belief or agenda and the cesspit that social media can often be has seen millions upon millions of posts from people all around the world, attempting to categorically ‘prove’ once and for all, that their man is No.1.
Frankly, many could not have cared less which player was adjudged the best footballer on the planet; more just happy to enjoy both in action with an appreciation of the fortune of being alive to witness their exploits.
(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Behind the sheer numbers, discussions around differences in style also emerged. Ronaldo disciples cite their man’s phenomenal striking ability in front of goal and the target he provided for those seeking to deliver the perfect pass, or the opportunity for the Portuguese to pounce with football venom.
Messi worshippers preferred their player thanks to a more pure and skilful level of control over the ball when on the move and a failure to rely on the work of others as frequently. In short, their view was that Messi’s ability to create through his dextrous touch and explosive speed was of a creative level far superior to Ronaldo’s.
In that, they are potentially correct, yet the talent, balance and clinical nature of Ronaldo’s presence in the attacking third is astonishing in itself and should never be understated.
In the heat of discussion, the strength of the players’ respective national and club teams has also been used to add or lessen weight to the debate around which stands superior.
With Argentina seemingly weak at different times across Messi’s career, Portugal often the disappointed bridesmaid in Euro play and neither, until Qatar 2022, having climbed Everest to achieve World Cup glory, it made for a convoluted argument.
The fluctuations in fortune between their respective club sides when it came to domestic play in Spain and achievements in the Champions League added a further murkiness.
In recent times, with Messi in France with PSG and Ronaldo having tossed the toys from the cot in fury after an embarrassing second stint at Manchester United, there has been a definite shift in sentiment from fans more broadly to look favourably on the Argentine when compared to Ronaldo.
Certainly, public perception led to much of the neutral support around the globe being hitched on the Messi wagon during Qatar 2022, as news of CR7’s latest mega-deal emerged and Portugal watched in horror as their talisman started on the bench and spat the dummy in glorious fashion.
Yet public support has no relevance at all to who is and will be remembered as the best in the business, even though Ronaldo does appear to be nearing the end with less shine on his diamond than previously.
Whilst Portugal did claim the European Championship in 2016, what will forever now separate the two men is the World Cup trophy won by Argentina in 2022.
Barring some sort of miracle and a 41-year-old Ronaldo playing and winning the World Cup in 2026, Messi has the eternal advantage.
And rightfully so.
The elite perform on the biggest stages. They win finals, carry teams on their backs and do the unthinkable, just as Lionel Messi did in Qatar. It is no shame for Cristiano Ronaldo and he will go down as one of the best of his generation.
However, it is time to put the rather silly debate to an end, with a World Cup full-stop for Messi the means to do so.
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