Both Messi and Ronaldo have a very impressive history of playing for their countries. However, the Argentinian possesses superior athleticism. His incredible speed and powerful shooting allow him to blend dizzying speed with the leaping and vertical ability of an NBA star. Despite his advanced age, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to perform at the highest level. That makes him the perfect role model for the next generation of players.
Lionel Messi
The age-old question of whether Lionel Messi will age better than the Brazilian forward is an interesting one. Both players have a stellar career, but Messi’s goalscoring record will likely increase over time. But the question remains – will he be able to maintain his high goalscoring levels when he reaches the age of Cristiano Ronaldo? Fortunately, there is some good news for Messi fans.
While Ronaldo has dominated the past few seasons, the Argentine is still proving his age with a record-breaking performance. During the 2011-12 season, Messi set European and La Liga records and established himself as the Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer. In 2014, Messi rediscovered his best form and helped Barcelona claim a second Champions League title. His fifth Ballon d’Or was won in 2015, and he became the club’s captain in 2018. In 2018, he signed a lucrative contract with Paris Saint-Germain and will continue to play in Europe.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are legendary, but Messi will remain more relevant in the modern game. The Portuguese has more versatility in the field and is better suited to the modern game. He combines dizzying pace with the powerful shooting and dribbling ability of an NBA star. His ability to play the game at such a high level is rare in soccer, and he is still performing at a high level at the age of 37.
As both Messi and Ronaldo have advanced in age, they have been able to continue to excel well into their thirties. Both are now undergoing a transformation process to make them more attractive to fans. Messi has trimmed down his dribbling and has cut back on lung-busting runs to minimize his tackle risk. This has allowed him to maintain a healthy physique as he approaches middle age.
It’s possible to age better than either Cristiano or Messi, but it is hard to determine which player is better for the long term. Both are outstanding players, but the Argentine will age better. In a recent CNN article, Messi has been rated better than Cristiano Ronaldo in the last year. A recent study by UNICEF has also found that he will age better than Ronaldo from now on.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite his age, Cristiano Ronaldo will likely still be on the field when he turns 40 in 2025. If he hasn’t yet reached his peak, he will probably play for his home club of Madeira, or on some other pitch. Whether he is at Real Madrid or at home in Madeira remains to be seen. However, we should not underestimate the importance of the aging process.
As we get older, our fine motor skills tend to dull. We no longer play 50 games a season, and our bodies don’t process as quickly as we used to. We all have to make sacrifices. We are more reliant on others. Our bodies need carbohydrates to stay fit and healthy. That is why Ronaldo eats five times a day. But, while the superstar does seem to have a lot of energy, we can’t overlook the fact that his body has changed.
While Manchester United and Barcelona have financial issues, Juventus did not. They were hampered by their commitment to Ronaldo. But they had no other choice but to let him go. Few clubs in Europe play the style of football that suits him. Meanwhile, his former club Real Madrid might think they’ve moved on after signing Karim Benzema and have no place for him. Despite the uncertainty, the Portuguese star will still age better in the next few years.
As a soccer player, he is committed to his health and his diet. His daily diet consists of fresh fish, chicken, avocado, and whole grains. He eats six smaller meals throughout the day and makes sure to drink plenty of water. He also avoids alcohol and carbonated drinks. He also takes naps during the day. It helps him recover from the stress of practice and focuses him in his training sessions.
Aside from being one of the best players in the world, he has also scored the most goals in his career. He has scored 813 goals in his career and has 230 assists to his credit. In 2008, he made history by scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle United. In the final European playoff match against Ukraine, he also scored a header as the winger headed his own goal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swedish international will be 40 next year and is already enjoying a third stint with AC Milan. At just 40, he is ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the Serie A table. The question is, will he continue to perform like a world-class player? There is no guarantee, but one thing is for sure: Zlatan will age better than either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although Ibrahimovic is considered a good footballer, his natural talents were not as well developed as those of Ronaldo and Messi. While Zlatan is a better striker, he is arrogant and disrespectful. Cristiano Ronaldo, the second best player of all time, is hard-working and talented, but he has been with three clubs and showed respect for his teammates and coaches.
There’s no clear winner when it comes to the GOAT debate. Cristiano Ronaldo is already 35 years old and shows no signs of slowing down. Both players are chasing Pele’s all-time goal record. Cristiano is currently within striking distance of the Brazilian’s record. The former Real Madrid striker claims he’ll age better than Messi and will outlast both of them.
Although it’s hard to judge Ibrahimovic’s future performance, he’s a very talented player. He’s been a world class player for three seasons at Inter Milan and scored 66 goals in 117 matches. In the past two seasons, Ibrahimovic has played for AC Milan and LA Galaxy. He has netted 53 goals in 58 games for the Galaxy.
Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never played in the World Cup, he’s a star for Sweden and the European Championship. The Swedish national team had hoped to call him up for the 2018 World Cup, but Janne Andersson decided not to do so. Ibrahimovic has scored six goals at the European Championships but hasn’t been called up for Sweden since 2016.
The age difference between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Messi is minimal. While Ronaldo is the world’s best goal scorer at the age of 35, Ibrahimovic is arguably better at aging. The Argentine is more durable, more versatile, and a better all-round player. But he’s also four years younger than Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo has more big game experience than Ibrahimovic. He helped Portugal reach the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup and the 2012 Euro Cup.
Real Madrid’s Lionel Messi
When it comes to overall stats, Messi has the edge. His 472 goals in 476 games in all club competitions is 22 more than Ronaldo’s 450. And compared to the Portuguese superstar, Messi has made more key passes and created more chances. Not only that, but Messi has played more minutes than Ronaldo. And while he may have more goals, he is still the superior player in many categories.
One of the most important comparisons between Messi and Ronaldo is their careers. Ronaldo has dominated in the past decade, but Messi has outstayed Ronaldo in terms of playing time. In fact, Messi’s age is more likely to increase his value as he ages. But a comparison between these two players is not fair. Ronaldo has an extensive list of accolades, including a World Cup win.
For example, Messi is more disciplined, a secular saint, and less self-confident. He has the vision, passing ability, and technical attributes of a superstar. The former is a leader, while the latter is a team player. Both players are excellent role models for the next generation of players. Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to play at the same high level well into his mid-to-late 30s.
Ultimately, Messi will age better than Ronaldo. The only factor between them is consistency. Ronaldo has played a full two years longer than Messi and has scored more club goals in each season. Despite this, Ronaldo has not maintained his talisman status. However, he has continued to score goals, including five Champions League goals in five consecutive seasons.
While Ronaldo’s career has been more impressive, Messi’s goal tally is more consistent. Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing for Real Madrid for only three seasons, while Messi is already approaching his third decade. Despite this, his goalscoring record is still the highest in La Liga. With a total of 438 goals, Messi will likely outlive Ronaldo.
