Newest blog on Messi and Ronaldo. But not the usual tripe.
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Every time Barcelona visit an English side, prizing eyes set their sights upon the Catalan number 10 Leo Messi. No one doubts his quality, or his contention to be up there with the worlds best ever. But is he himself, the best ever to play the game?
A lot of facts and statistics fly around when comparing the likes of Messi and Ronaldo with the legends of yesteryear including goals, playing in different countries, and winning international trophies. All this combined ensures it is difficult to segregate just a single name from a hatful. And there sure will be even more comparisons alluded to, when two titans of world football meet this weekend.
The diminutive Argentine has rifled in an astonishing total of 63 goals this season to date – a feat that is not only difficult to imagine, but will be difficult ever to replicate. Funniest thing about that is, at this moment he doesn’t even lead his domestic scoring chart with Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo out in front.
I was too young to have ever seen the likes of Pele and Maradona strut their stuff, along with the greatest names of the bygone eras. But any fan in any way affiliated with the beautiful game would be living in a cave if they didn’t see some of the magic these men produced. Pele won the World Cup with Brazil 3 times, obviously supported by a team that was beyond its time. Scoring a phenomenal 620 goals in his career from 661 appearances, albeit mostly in the Brazilian domestic league, shows his goal-scoring nous.
Diego Maradona, also tasted international and domestic glory, and despite his personal life and career being a rocky road since his playing days were over, what he produced on the pitch will forever be remembered.
Is Messi the greatest ever? Well some may argue that he cannot be defended if he hasn’t played in another league. Besides, Cristiano Ronaldo is doing what he did here in England over in Spain, and Messi is yet to score on English turf. And Messi’s international game shows no correlation to his domestic form.
But Ronaldo it could be said that his dynamic of play, and wanting to do it all himself excludes him from being the greatest.
My opinion? Well its difficult to choose. It always will be. I take pleasure in knowing that I’m alive to witness some of the greatest players ever to grace our game today, such that in 40 years time the TV programs will be showing replays of Messi and Ronaldo. However just edging it, Messi makes fools of his opponents with his finesse and trickery, whereas Ronaldo uses his power and force to put aside his opponents; thus for the time being, the little maestro has his nose out in front.
Anyway, why waste time in deciding who is better with this that and the other? Just enjoy the players that make it the game we know and love.
And besides, they collectively have nothing on Shola Ameobi.
Comments welcome
