Many people have asked the question, “Who is older Messi or Ronaldo?” There is no single answer to that question, but there are some who feel both players are older. Ronaldinho, for instance, once said that Messi was going to be better than him. In the end, the decision comes down to personal preference, but there are some differences between them that make them stand out in the game. We’ll look at some of those differences to find out which player has the edge.
Ronaldo is older than Messi
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the best forwards in the world, and the two have been on the pitch for over 15 years. The two have been on opposite sides of the Spanish Clasico, and have a rivalry that stretches back almost a decade. Both players are well into their 30s and entering the final stages of their careers, but what is the difference between them?
Cristiano Ronaldo is 869 days older than Lionel Messi, and Lionel Messi is two years and eight months younger than his father. However, the age difference between the two players is less apparent if you look at the dates of their births. Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, while Lionel Messi was born on June 17, 2010.
While Messi is the better player in a number of categories, Ronaldo has more international goals. His 109 goals are tied for the most in history. In the 2016-17 La Liga season, Messi finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 37 goals. However, Ronaldo’s goal tally for that season is higher than Messi’s. Despite being older than Messi, Ronaldo’s goal tally is still superior.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most senior player in the world, and he is the best player at his position. At 34 years old, Messi is already one of the greatest players in the world. As a matter of fact, he has more games under his belt than Ronaldo. However, he is a much better player than Ronaldo. This is evident in his goal tally. It is also worth noting that Messi has played more than half as many games as Ronaldo, and has been ranked higher in the ballon d tally.
Messi is a better dribbler
Both players are exceptional in their own right, but Messi is arguably the best dribbler of all time. Despite the comparisons to the great Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi has more assists than Ronaldo. The Portuguese has the incredible athleticism that few players can match. His dizzying speed is combined with the power to shoot and jump like an NBA superstar. And with his age, he’s still performing at a high level. Clearly, he’s the ideal role model for the next generation of players.
As a dribbler, Messi has far more potential. His impressive skill as a ball-runner has been praised all over the world for his outstanding ability. He can thread the ball between three or more defenders, locate teammates in tight spaces, and even attempt crazy passes. In the European championships, his passing and shooting prowess has been compared to Ronaldo, but Messi has surpassed his Portuguese opponent.
Both players can score goals, but Messi’s ability to execute his moves is arguably stronger. The Argentine has won four Ballon d’Or awards in a row and was named Best Player of the Tournament at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He also has won every major award in professional football. Although Ronaldo has a stronger physical frame, Messi possesses a wider range of skills and is more explosive than his Portuguese counterpart.
While both players are good passers, Messi is a better dribbling player. His short stature allows him to take more strides per dribble. This allows him to stay close to the ball while taking short, quick steps as he moves. The taller players can also do the same thing, but they will have to squat and center their body low to stay on top of the ball.
Ronaldo is a better passer
One of the main debates in the transfer market at the moment is whether Ronaldo is a better passer than his Barcelona teammate. Both players are good passers but neither player is legendary. The difference is in the individual skills of both players. Both are capable of scoring goals and setting up goals, but Ronaldo has the advantage in the passing department. Here are some reasons why. Weigh the pros and cons.
Firstly, Cristiano has more physical ability. He combines a dizzying pace with powerful shooting and jumps like an NBA player. At thirty, he’s still performing at an elite level. That makes him the perfect role model for the next generation of players. As such, it is difficult to argue that Ronaldo is a better passer than Messi. And it’s not only the physical attributes that separate Messi and Ronaldo.
Despite the differences in personal attributes, Messi has a better goal-per-game ratio than Ronaldo. In addition, Messi is more prolific. In terms of overall numbers, Messi has won more, but Ronaldo has more assists per game. Despite the latter’s superior passing ability, he is arguably a better build-up player. Messi also has a wider range of passes.
Another difference between the two players’ passing ability is their team’s philosophy. While Messi has had the best teams in his prime, Ronaldo has consistently been on the top team. In contrast, the best teams of both players have had great players. Messi has been surrounded by great players and his teammate has struggled in the same way. And despite that, they have been able to win trophies.
Messi is a better passer than Ronaldo
Whether or not Messi is a better passer depends on the quality of his passes. A successful pass must be received by the intended receiver, and Messi’s passes are successful on average. Messi consistently takes the ball forward aggressively, and his passing accuracy is high. He also has great tactical intelligence, finding open spaces for teammates to run into. The number of key passes he completes per game is higher than Ronaldo’s.
Compared to Ronaldo, Messi has better dribbling skills. While Ronaldo is a natural dribbler, Messi has a low center of gravity and is much more efficient at finding space. His ball control and quick decision making have helped him get past multiple defenders with ease. Those characteristics have helped him score goals and assist teammates. Those skills have earned Messi a place in history, as he has beaten Ronaldo in the Champions League final in 2009.
The number of goals scored by Ronaldo and Messi in one season is the highest for a single player. Both players have scored over 650 goals in the Premier League. Ronaldo is arguably the more flamboyant player, with a larger social media following. As for the best passer, Messi possesses the best technique for finding open spaces in the penalty area. And while he might not be the best goal-maker in the world, he is arguably the better passer.
In terms of the number of passes, Messi completes more. The number of successful long passes is slightly higher for Messi, but it is not by much. Messi is more efficient across all distances and he scores almost as many as Ronaldo. But the goal scoring accuracy of Messi is higher than that of Ronaldo. A higher pass completion rate is a sign of a better passer than one with less time and energy.
Ronaldo is a better fit for today’s game
Although both players are considered to be exceptional, Ronaldo is arguably better suited for today’s game. Ronaldo has exceptional athleticism, combining dizzying speed with powerful shooting and the kind of jumping ability that can make him look like a star in the NBA. He is still performing at a high level despite being in his mid-30s, a testament to his durability and talent.
While Messi is shorter than Ronaldo, his physical attributes are far more impressive. Messi is not the tallest footballer, but his size belies his ability to pack serious power behind his shots. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has an impeccable physique and is 6 feet 2 inches tall. With that physical advantage, it’s no wonder Ronaldo is a better fit for today’s game than Messi.
When comparing the two players, you should look at the history of each player. Ronaldo’s career began at Sporting CP in Portugal and then moved to Manchester United. He won the FA Cup in 2003 with Manchester United and is now the captain of the national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2009, and has since played for the club and the country. Messi, on the other hand, spent much of his youth with FC Barcelona. He began playing for the FC Barcelona C team on November 29, 2003, and played for the FC Barcelona B team on 6th March 2004, and then joined the main team a year later. Messi has also represented Argentina since 2005.
When comparing the two players’ physical attributes, it is easy to see which one is better suited for the modern game. Messi has greater strength and physical abilities, and he is a better playmaker and a better passer of the ball. But there are many other factors to consider as well. While Messi is more complete, Ronaldo is a more balanced footballer.
