If the two greatest players of all time are compared, it’s easy to see who’s better at the age of thirty. But the question is, who is better in the long run? Ronaldo will never be as thorough of a team player as Messi. His teammates must adapt to his style and play, while Messi improves his team’s chances of winning. Ronaldo’s selfishness will never change, and Messi will continue to improve the game of his teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo
If you’ve been following the world of football for any length of time, you’ll surely have come across the argument that Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi. The Portuguese forward, who turned 30 in February 2015, is currently in the midst of a golden decade. Despite his age, Ronaldo has already delivered era-defining feats, proving that he is still one of the most talented players of all time. As a result, he’s still performing at a high level as Messi, despite being a decade older.
The comparison between these two stars is based on the number of goals they’ve scored and shots on goal. While both players have a high goal scoring ratio, the latter has a higher pass completion rate. That is important, because most goals are scored from passes inside the opponents’ box. The two players have a pass completion rate of 56%, and the former has a 59% success rate. However, the expected goals are only visible to logged-in users.
The difference between the two players is reflected in the amount of international goals they have scored. Ronaldo has 115 compared to Messi’s 81. Ronaldo’s leadership skills are superior and he inspires his team to victory, while Messi crumbles under pressure. Moreover, Ronaldo has the upper hand in corners and crosses, while Messi has a lackluster ability in aerial balls in the box.
In terms of goals scored, Messi has more, but Ronaldo has more average goals per season. In 2011-12, he hit a career high of 73 goals, but he’s season average has since dropped after his disappointing PSG season. Despite the difference in goals scored per season, Ronaldo has more total goals. And he’s consistently scored more in the Champions League. So, whether Messi is better than Ronaldo depends on what you’re looking for in a football player.
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the most popular soccer players of all time, but one has an advantage over the other. Both have established legendary status in their countries and are a popular choice for a number 30 shirt. In fact, the number 30 shirt sold more than a million copies last season. That record has since been surpassed by Messi, who moved from Barcelona to PSG last summer.
Ronaldo started his career with Sporting CP in 2002, before signing for Manchester United and winning the FA Cup the following year. He has also become the captain of the national Portugal team, and has been capped by the national team since 2003. Both Ronaldo and Messi are still playing in the Premier League, but Ronaldo is more popular in France and Argentina than he is in Spain. While Ronaldo began his professional career with the Portuguese national team, Messi began his career with FC Barcelona’s junior team. On November 29, 2003, he made his first appearance for the FC Barcelona C team. He later played for the FC Barcelona B team, and on March 6, 2004, he joined the main squad. He has also played for Argentina since 2005.
When it comes to goal-scoring records, Messi has the upper hand. Although Ronaldo has more goals, Messi has more assists. And both are regarded as better team players. They also have more Ballon d’Or awards. But which is better: Messi’s 87 assists are better than Ronaldo’s 82. While Ronaldo has more Ballon d’Ors, Messi has more club goals and more international ones.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
The first question many fans have is which player is better, Messi or Ronaldo? While both players are great, both have their own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s compare their goals, assist records, and pass completion rates. While Messi’s assists are high (14), Ronaldo’s are low (44). You can see both players’ expected goals below. In the video above, you can see a comparison between Messi and Ronaldo in the last season.
Both Messi and Ronaldo have won numerous trophies and have established themselves as two of the greatest players in the world. Both players have dominated their respective leagues and have shaped the game. In terms of individual honors, Messi is the best scorer in history and Ronaldo is the best assister in history. Although Messi dominates the competition in domestic football, Ronaldo is far ahead in the Champions League. Although both players are nearing retirement, their outstanding performances have made them the standard for upcoming prodigies.
The two have met 34 times in club competition. Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the league longer than Messi, having made his debut in 2002-03 for Sporting Lisbon. Since then, he’s scored 865 goals across all competitions. In contrast, Messi’s season average has slipped after a disappointing season with PSG. Cristiano also scored against Messi during Ronaldo’s first spell at Manchester United.
Both players are great at shooting but neither is particularly tall. The taller Ronaldo is, the better Messi’s shooting ability is, but Messi has more talent overall. But Ronaldo is more athletic, despite his short stature and low center of gravity. He can leap through a crowded area with ease, but Messi is far more consistent. And Ronaldo is an excellent dribbler.
Ronaldo vs Messi goals
Ronaldo and Messi are both prolific strikers, but the two men have very different goalscoring ratios. Messi has scored 68 goals in 49 games, while Ronaldo has netted 53 times in 46. Ronaldo’s EPA (equivalent win probability) is 59.5, while Messi’s is 62.5. Messi is also better at converting penalties, while Ronaldo has scored more penalty goals overall.
As a matter of fact, while Messi is the clear winner in goalscoring, the debate is not easy to settle. Personal preference plays a huge role in this debate. Some people might prefer Messi to Ronaldo, while others would prefer Mesut Ozil to Fernandinho. Ultimately, however, the two men will be judged on their goal-scoring prowess, but their respective stats should not be overlooked.
The difference between Messi and Ronaldo lies in the player’s physique. While both players are gifted with excellent finishing abilities, Messi is a better playmaker. His ability to make teammates better has made him a leader. He also has more assists and key passes compared to Cristiano. He also has better tactical intelligence and is able to find open spaces to move around the opposition’s defense. Messi is also more efficient in free kicks and crosses.
Despite these differences, Messi is a more consistent striker in front of goal, with three goals to Ronaldo’s five. In the Champions League, Ronaldo is much more prolific, with Messi averaging one shot on goal per game and three on target. While Ronaldo has been more effective in front of goal, he is often a one-footed striker. While Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the competition with his weaker left foot, the striker has hit 11 times with his left foot.
Ronaldo vs Messi head-to-head record
Both Ronaldo and Messi are considered the best footballers of all time, but their careers have hardly coincided. Ronaldo is a better overall player than Messi, but there are differences between the two. The two players have similar average goals per game, with Messi scoring an average of 0.79 goals per game and Ronaldo averaging 0.73 goals per game. Messi is better in scoring with a better touch, while Ronaldo has a better kicking ability.
When comparing the two players’ goal scoring, Ronaldo has an edge, but it’s a close race. Ronaldo has more goals and assists, while Messi has more overall. They each have more overall hat tricks, but Messi has more overall. In league games, Ronaldo has more goals, but Messi is better in the Champions League. Their goal scoring percentages are similar, but Messi is ahead in assists.
While both players are excellent in the attacking department, Messi’s goal scoring rate is more consistent. In recent seasons, Ronaldo has not reached the 30 goal mark, but he does still shine for his club. With a goal rate like that, Messi should continue to grow in the future. So, who is the better player? The odds of a goal-scoring encounter are more likely to be favorable for Messi.
The current UEFA Champions League group stage is dominated by a clash between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The two players are rivals and have been battling for the best player title for a decade. While both players rarely play directly against each other, their interest in each other elevates the group stage matches. While these matches are often pedestrian, they can be exciting for fans. ESPN has stats on 36 meetings between Ronaldo and Messi.
