The Clash of the Titans : Messi vs Ronaldo

A New Global Rivalry?

As the start of the La Liga approaches like a hurtling freight train the undoubted highlight of the season will be the showdown between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF. Barcelona, coming off a season where all before them were swept aside, and the rest of Europe watched in horror during the off season as of Florentino Perez assembled the “Galacticos 2.0”, of which the star acquisition was Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi are considered by most worldwide to be the two best players on the planet right now. Skill, Flair and the ability to leave fans wanting more both Ronaldo versus Messi is undoubtedly the battle of our generation. Tennis has Federer versus Nadal, the NBA has Lebron versus Kobe and Boxing had Ali versus Frazier.

Football’s greatest rivalry has always been Pele versus Maradona, but the two great players sadly were from different eras. By the time Maradona made his debut for Argentina in 1977, Pele had hung up his boots for Brazil some 6 years earlier in 1971. Pele never left Brazil during his prime playing most of his career with his beloved Santos before finishing out his years as a footballer in the United States. Maradona mean while played in Argentina, Italy and Spain winning titles with Barcelona, Napoli and his beloved Boca Juniors.

Now for the first time for a long time there is a feeling that we could be seeing two of the greatest players of this generation, if not perhaps of all time, going head to head in the same league leading their teams in the kind of rivalry that has never been seen before in international football.

It is amazing how two players that are so similar are also so different. A quick description to exemplify my point, a right-sided attacking midfielder, blessed with mesmerizing footwork, blistering pace, a quick mind and an eye for goal. He is hailed as the best player of this generation and without a doubt a proven winner having won League and Champions League titles. He has won 3 league titles and 1 major domestic cup competition and has scored in 1 Champions League final that his team has won, while finishing Runner-up in his Confederation’s Football Championship. This player has many years left in his career and has yet to hit his peak years.

Anybody reading that last paragraph could easily assume I was describing either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi and they would be right. The similarities end above though as the two players could not be more different. Messi versus Ronaldo is the story of the proud Galactico versus the humble, almost unwilling, superstar. The story of the tall bronzed muscular man versus the short pale guy who needed growth hormone just to be average height. The story of the man who is linked with many different models and superstars every day versus the man who is set to marry a girl he has known since childhood. It is the story of the man who has played for 3 different clubs before his 25th birthday versus the man who has stated he wants to spend his career with only 1 club.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro came into this world on the 5th of February 1985 to Portuguese parents in Madeira Portugal. From an early age his talent was recognized and after playing at youth level with Andorinha and CD Nacional, he got his break with Sporting CP of Portugal who signed him at age of 12. Things seemed to be going well for Ronaldo until at age 15 he was diagnosed with a racing heart that could have ended his football career. He had surgery with a laser to rectify the problem and then proceeded to blow through the Sporting CP youth system.

He became the first player to player for Sporting’s U-16, U-17, U-18, B-team and first team all in one season and was reportedly monitored by Liverpool and Arsenal who saw his undeniable talent. Ronaldo’s big break though came when his Sporting CP met Manchester United in a 2003 pre-season friendly. So impressed were the Manchester United players that they encouraged Ferguson to sign the young prodigy.


A Young Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting CP

Ronaldo moved to England soon after and he helped Manchester United to the FA Cup in his first year scoring a goal in the final. The feeling at that time was that while he undoubtedly had talent he was a bit of a show pony and did one too many stepovers. Still Ronaldo continued to flourish in the Manchester United system and his reputation continued to grow. At euro 2004 held in Ronaldo’s native Portugal he helped his team to reach the final scoring against Holland in the semi final.

The feeling going into the final was that Portugal who had home advantage and having knocked out Spain, the Netherlands and England on penalties, with Ronaldo scoring in the shootout, (it would not be the last time Ronaldo and England would clash) would have too much for the Greeks. Portugal had Ronaldo as well as former world player of the year Luis Figo, Deco and Rui Costa in their ranks but the Greek team had beaten Portugal in the tournament’s opening game and repeated the feat in the final starting the suspicion that “Ronaldo doesn’t show up in the big games”.


Ronaldo: Sublime Skill or Show pony?

Still Ronaldo continued to grow and enjoy success with Manchester United picking up individual awards for his play and picking up the League cup in 2006. However a talk of Ronaldo being a “teacher’s pet” began to spread and more ugly side began to surface. In May of 2006 sports site Setanta reported that Ronaldo and team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy had an altercation of Ronaldo’s reluctance to pass the ball during which van Nistelrooy reportedly told Ronaldo “Go cry to your daddy” referring to Carlos Queiroz and not Ronaldo’s biological father who had died earlier that season. Van Nisterooy was promptly sent packing from Old Trafford. What came next though would forever change the way Cristiano Ronaldo was viewed in the football world and perhaps the course of the winger’s destiny.

The 2006 world cup was a defining moment for Ronaldo, some people are born to play the role of the hero and others are born to play the role of the villain. I wonder sometimes how different things might have been had Ronaldo not winked at the Portuguese bench. Would he have been vilified by the British press, would he have been targeted for a hate campaign? Would he have been as motivated to prove his critics wrong?

The defining moment came when Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney appeared to step on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho. What happened next is up for debate. The English press claimed that Ronaldo had aggressively complained to the referee which influenced the match official to send off Rooney. To make matters worse Ronaldo was caught winking at the Portuguese bench after the red card had been issued and the British press had found a new hate-figure.


Did Ronaldo get Rooney sent off?

Portugal went on to place 4th in the World Cup but the damage had been done. Ronaldo was booed during Portugal’s semi-final with France and English fans launched a negative e-mail campaign to prevent Ronaldo from being named Best Young Player at the tournament. FIFA in the end named Lukas Podolski as the Best Young Player citing Ronaldo’s behaviour as part of the reason he did not win.

Ronaldo seeing what had happened to David Beckham after the 2002 World Cup began to worry about having to return to England. Rumours linking him with a move to Spain with Real Madrid began to surface. Ferguson convinced him to stay however and Ronaldo began to fulfil the potential that had seen Manchester United snap him up in 2003. During the 2006-2007 season he played at a very high level leading to claims that he was the best player in the world.

He led Manchester United to the BPL title and to a Champions League semi-final clash with Kaka and AC Milan which was highly touted as the clash of the two best players in the world. However Kaka came out the clear winner scoring 3 goals over the 2 legs outshining Ronaldo who despite netting 1 goal it continued to be painted as does not show up on the big occasions. Rumours linking him with an 80 million euro move to Real Madrid began to surface again however Ronaldo signed a new contract with Manchester United worth a reported 120000 pounds a week.

Despite Ronaldo playing very well and at a high level doubts over his ability to perform against the biggest opposition lingered. Since he had been in England he had just scored 2 goals in 24 clashes with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. Ronaldo would however answer his critics in devastating fashion the following season.

The 2007-2008 season did not start that well for Ronaldo, he received a red card and a 3 match ban for head butting Portsmouth player Richard Hughes. He claimed that he had learnt a great deal and he would not be provoked in the future. Determined to prove he was indeed the best in the world Ronaldo led Manchester United to a famous double of league and Champions league scoring an amazing 42 goals in all competitions. He scored in the league against Liverpool and Arsenal and against Chelsea in the Champions League final.


Ronaldo's 42 goals during the 2007-2008 Season

Still questions remained about Ronaldo’s ability to hold his nerve at the very biggest moments as he missed a penalty in the first leg of the Champions league semi final against Barcelona and also missed a penalty in the penalty shootout in the Final of the Champions League. The end of the season was overshadowed however by rumours that Ronaldo would again be moving to Real Madrid. Talk of Ronaldo “dreaming” of a move to Real Madrid continued to circulate and was the focus of reporters at Portuguese camp at Euro 2008.

The Ronaldo to Real Madrid fever hit fever pitch after Euro 2008 when Ronaldo reportedly said he would accept a deal with Real Madrid if they offered him a sum that was reported earlier in the year. Manchester United reported Real Madrid to FIFA for improper conduct but FIFA declined to take action. The dye was cast though as it was clear that Ronaldo wanted a move to Real Madrid. He started the 2008-2009 season by recovering from an injury to his ankle that required surgery and despite returning to Manchester United seemed to lack the same will he had displayed the season before.

Despite this he seemed to put Manchester United on his back in the Champions League and carry them to the final. His amazing performance against Inter Milan in Italy was only spoilt by the fact that he did not score. He quickly rectified that in the second leg and followed that up with and amazing winner against Porto in the Quarter finals. Another thunderbolt in the semi final against Arsenal and Ronaldo had dragged Manchester United into the final. He looked lively in the final but once again the allegation could be made that when the very biggest moments arrive Cristiano Ronaldo goes missing.


Ronaldo's screamers against Porto and Arsenal

Signs of cracks in the relationship between Ronaldo and Manchester United began to appear during the 2008-2009 though as Ronaldo very publicly pouted after being substituted during a league game and also reacted angrily on the pitch to Sir Alex who had criticized him. Despite this he continued to play well for Manchester United and continued to score crucial goals for them.

Despite losing in the Champions League final Ronaldo led Manchester United to a third successive EPL title and another League Cup title where he made amends for missing a penalty in the Champions League final shootout, by scoring in the penalty shootout to claim the League Cup. At the end of it all Real Madrid got their man for 80 million pounds despite Sir Alex Ferguson saying earlier in the season that he would “not sell a virus to that mob”. He was seen celebrating his move to Real Madrid by partying with Paris Hilton.
























Ronaldo and Paris Hilton celebrate his move to Real Madrid

If Ronaldo’s story is controversial then Messi’s is the exact opposite. Lionel Andres Messi was born on the 24th of June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina. Messi started to play football at the age of 5 for a local club called Grandoli that his father used to coach. Messi’s talent was obvious and at age 8 he was snapped up by Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys who are based in Rosario. Things seemed to be going smoothly for Messi until at age 11 he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.

Messi’s club did not have the money to pay for his treatment and although River Plate was interested they too could not provide the cash to treat an 11 year who could turn out to be a bust in the end. In stepped Carles Rexach and FC Barcelona who decided to pay the medical bills after seeing Messi play during a trial at the club. Messi continued through the youth teams of Barcelona at one time playing on the same youth team as Cesc Fabregas.


Leo Messi early years in Barcelona

He progressed well and finally made his La Liga debut against Espanol on October 16th 2004 at age 17 becoming the third youngest player to ever play for the Blaugrana and the youngest to ever play in La Liga (a record that was eventually broken by Bojan Krkic). Messi scored his first goal in La Liga against Albacete in the process becoming a youngest Barcelona player to score in La Liga (another record that was eventually broken by Bojan ironically from a Messi assist). Messi would go on to play 7 games that season helping Barcelona to earn their first League title since 1999.

On to the FIFA World Youth Championship where Messi would begin to show some of the killer instinct that would make him one of the best players in the world today. The Argentina team of 2005 contained many names that would go on to be stars on the world stage. Oscar Ustari, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando Gago, Ezequiel Garay and Sergio Aguero all took part in that competition and would go on to play at some of the biggest teams in some of the biggest leagues in the world.

The tournament did not start well for Argentina who left Messi on the bench for the first 45 mins of their first game with the USA and ended up losing by a single goal. Quickly rectifying his error for the next game against Egypt, the coach put Messi into his starting line-up and the man from Rosario did not disappoint netting the first goal in a 2-0 win for the Argentines. Messi once again started for Argentina’s third group game against Germany and Argentina once again triumphed by a 1-0 score line.

Now a fixture in the starting line-up, Messi would start his reputation of turning up in the biggest of games. In the Round of 16 against Colombia, Argentina was trailing after 52 mins. Up stepped Messi to equalize in just 6 mins later and Argentina would go on to win the game by 2 goals to 1. In the quarter finals the Argentines would meet a Spanish team including Cesc Fabregas Fernando Llorente David Silva and Raul Albiol. Once again Messi would score and Argentina would top the Spanish by 3 goals to 1. In the semi finals Argentina met arch rivals Brazil and Messi once again showed his class by giving his team an early lead as the Argentines continued their relentless march to the final. They would dismiss the Brazilians 2-1 in the end setting up a final match with Nigeria.
























Messi Collects the Golden Boot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup

In the final Messi would score 2 goals including the winner against in the 75th min meaning he had scored in every round of the knockout stages claiming the golden ball and golden boot thus proving that he shows up in the biggest of games. FIFA’s official website would go on to describe Messi in the following way:


“After losing out to the USA in their first match, Argentina never looked back as they laid claim to a fifth title at the fifteenth instalment of the FIFA World Youth Championship. Pre-tournament sensation Lionel Messi could only look on hopefully from the bench while his mates struggled against the Americans in their opener. But after coming on at the half, he made an immediate impact and never spent another minute off the pitch. The 18-year-old Barcelona prodigy proceeded to light up the Lowlands to become - for one summer at least - the toast of Planet Football.

Bagging both penalties in the final against Nigeria and top scorer and top player honours, the baby-faced Messi earned comparisons to none other than Diego Armando Maradona. His rip-roaring form in Holland was arguably the most individually influential since 'Dieguito' left fans gasping for air at Japan 1979. And as the team only won two of their seven matches by more than a one-goal margin, they needed every inch of their young talisman's inspiration.”


A new star had been born and he would go on to explode onto the stage the following season. Realizing the talent that they had on their hands Barcelona quickly renewed Messi’s contract for the second time in three months as they upgraded his status to first team status at the beginning of the 2006 season and extended his contract till 2014. The 2005-2006 season would be Messi’s coming out party to the world. He finally got his Spanish citizenship and began playing more regularly for the first team. He would go on to help FC Barcelona claim their 2nd league title in as many years and their first European Cup since 1992.

The real defining moment of the 2005-2006 season would however come against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho’s team at that time was dominating the BPL with one of the best defences that had been seen for some time. Messi systematically dismantled the Chelsea defence making them look silly and so tormenting left-back Asier Del Horno (who was a new big money signing at the club) that he caused del Horno to make a rash challenge and be sent off.


Did Messi Dive or was he Taken out by Del Horno?

Mourinho would go on to accuse Messi of diving to which Messi responded that he had the stud marks in his leg to prove that he was not acting. Messi would pick up a season ending injury in the second leg and would miss the Champions League final starting accusations that he could not stay fit for a full season.

Messi went to the World Cup with Argentina in 2006 but was not a regular starter. He still however become the youngest ever player to represent Argentina in a World Cup and also become the 6th youngest ever player to ever score in a World Cup. He was left on the bench for the entire of Argentina’s quarter final against Germany as the Albicelestes went out on penalties. The coach Jose Pekerman would resign immediately following the defeat.


Messi makes himself into a Barca legend with a hat-trick against Real Madrid

If the 2005-2006 season was Messi’s first warning shot, the 2006-2007 season was the beginning of the fulfilment of his promise. Sadly once again Messi suffered an injury that ruled him out for 3 months of the season. However on his return he would once again write his name in history rescuing FC Barcelona in the Superclasico by scoring a hat-trick including the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game to prevent a loss to the old enemy Real Madrid. He would then go on to recreate Maradona’s goal against England in the 1986 world cup against Getafe in the Copa Del Rey. It was not all positive though as Messi mirrored Maradona’s other goal against England from the 1986 World Cup scoring a goal with his hand against Espanol during a crucial La Liga game towards the end of the season.


Messi imitates Maradona

Messi, reputation enhanced by the previous season, then went to the Copa America in the summer of 2007 playing in a tournament during the off season for the third straight season. He was brilliant throughout the tournament creating goals for team-mates throughout the tournament and scoring in the quarter final against Peru and a magnificent chip in the semi-final against Mexico. Argentina would be soundly beaten by Brazil in the final but Messi had done well to get his team there.


Messi lights up the Copa America

Back with FC Barcelona for the 2007-2008 the plaudits continued to roll in for Messi with a poll conducted by Madrid’s based Marca finding that 77% of respondents thought that Messi was the best player in the world, a view that was supported by Franz Beckenbauer and Francesco Totti. Sadly Messi would injure himself again this time ruling him out for 4 months of the season further adding ammunition to those that said he was injury prone and could not play a full season without getting a major injury.

Messi would return in time for the Champion’s League semi-final with Manchester United and a showdown between the world’s two best players at the time. Manchester United would advance but it was clear the Messi had outperformed Cristiano Ronaldo over the two legs despite Messi having just returned recently from the 4 month layoff due to the injury that he had suffered. Still Ronaldo’s team advanced to the final and Ronaldo went on to claim all of the plaudits for the 2007-2008 season. Despite Ronaldo winning the Champions League and the BPL and Messi winning nothing for 2007-2008, a majority of voters on FIFA’s website had actually voted for Messi to claim the World Player of the year.

Messi would once again go to a summer tournament for the 4th consecutive year after begging FC Barcelona to go to the Olympics despite fears that his lack of pre-season preparation was the reason for his frequent injuries. Despite the controversy Messi went on to lead an Argentina team containing players such as Riquelme, Lavezzi, Gago, Mascherano, Ageuro and Garay to their very first Gold Medal in the Olympics defeating a Brazilian team that contained Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, Diego, Lucas, Hernanes, Anderson, Thiago Silva and Marcelo in the process. He would set up the lone goal in the final for team-mate Angel Di Maria in the final once again proving that he shows in the biggest of games.

On to the 2008-2009 season and Messi would run riot appearing to be aiming to match Ronaldo’s 42 goals the previous season. He would finish the season with 38 in all competitions once again proving his penchant for showing up in the biggest of games scoring 3 goals in the 2 Clasicos his 6th goal in 4 games against Real Madrid. He would also go on to score the crucial go-ahead goal in the Copa Del Rey final that FC Barcelona would claim by a 4-1 margin against Athletic Bilbao. Going into the Champions league final and showdown against Ronaldo for the title of the best player in the world the critics began to knock Messi.


Messi's Best Season

He does not score against the English was the cry. Messi had indeed not scored in 10 previous games versus the English but had made his name against Chelsea so many years before, a fact that seemed lost in the hype. He does not score headers either they all said. Ronaldo’s prowess in the air is what sets him apart from Messi. Onto the Champions League final and Messi once again proved his penchant for performing on the very biggest of occasions rising as some said like Michael Jordan and seeming to hang in the air as he tilted his body to plant a header past the stranded Manchester United goalkeeper. Messi had answered his critics with one fell swoop while Ronaldo looked frustrated for most of the night.

Unlike Ronaldo Messi has stated on several occasions that he wants to spend his career with FC Barcelona and never wants to leave the club making him even more popular (if that was possible) with the Cules. Messi also unlike Ronaldo is not linked with many different models and it has been stated that he will marry Antonella Roccuzzo who he has known since childhood.





















Messi and his girlfriend Antonella

So as we conclude the look at Messi versus Ronaldo we can see from the list of competitions that they have won that both players are amazing players:

Messi is a born winner; he has won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland 2005, the Olympic games of 2008, 2 Champions League titles, 3 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups. He has been 2nd and 3rd in the Ballon d’Or voting for 2008 and 2007 respectively and looks set to climb one better this year. He has also come 2nd for 2007 and 2008 in the FIFA World Player of the Year and also looks set to claim the title for the first time this season.

Ronaldo’s resume is just as impressive, 1 Champions league title and 1 runner up medal in Europe’s biggest competition to go along with 3 Barclay’s Premier League winner’s medals, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 1 Community Shield (the equivalent of the Spanish Super Cup) and the FIFA World Club Cup. Ronaldo did the double of claiming the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2008 after finishing 2nd and 3rd in the two competitions respectively in the 2007 voting.

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has declared Ronaldo is better than Dennis Law and George Best who were two Manchester United legends, while Maradona has publicly declared Messi his heir and that the current Argentina team is Messi and 10 others. Perhaps the best person to compare the two would be somebody that has played on the same team with both players; Gerard Pique had this to say on the matter.

When asked “You have played with Cristiano Ronaldo and with Messi. Who's the best?” Pique replied “They're completely different. Cristiano uses a lot of step-overs and tricks to dribble a player while Messi gets passed three opponents with three touches. Leo is a lot more decisive and when he doesn't give that much show as Cristiano, that's just because he doesn't need it.”

My personal take on the matter is that some people are born to be the hero and some are born to play the villain. Messi has gotten standing ovations for Argentina playing against the Brazil national team in Brazil and for FC Barcelona playing against Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina. Ronaldo on the other hand was booed with every touch while playing in a friendly for Portugal against the Brazil national team in Brazil. He has also been booed by opposing fans at times during his Manchester United career and again while playing his first ever game for Real Madrid in their pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers. He has stated publicly that being booed doesn’t bother him and drives him to perform better.

In closing football fans are about to be treated to a clash of two of the best players in the world. My advice to everybody is to sit back relax and enjoy the rivalry of possibly the two best players of our time going head to head in La Liga against the same teams to determine who will be remembered as the greatest player of this era. Ronaldo has blistering pace, heading, free-kicks, long range shots, step-overs and tricks. Messi has uncanny ball control, deadly finishing, and the ability to ghost around defenders despite them knowing what he is about to do. We are about to witness greatness. Sit back relax and enjoy


Messi vs Ronaldo = Victory for fans


by barca4life