XPERT OPINIONS IS MESSI OR RONALDO THE BEST? 06 November 2013 If you were faced with a choice, without sentiment, of who deserves the tag of World Player of the Year, which of these two stars would get your nod? With the latest controversy raging over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, we cannot help but put a microscope on these two living legends of the game and try to evaluate their strengths in several departments of the game. Has Messi lost his grip on the crown of World Player of the Year? Has Ronaldo done enough to dethrone his long-time rival by his 2013 calendar year performances? Please note the key words here. We are evaluating their qualities on the pitch and their football-related performance, not off- the-pitch controversies or sentiments. Speed on the ball Messi: In the legendary Pep Guardiola’s words, which are in unison with mine, “Lionel Messi is the fastest player I have ever seen with the ball at his foot. He is faster making a run with the ball as making one without it.” An informed Messi drives defenders insane with his high-tempo dribbling with the ball at his feet, with his ability to break out with speed and change direction at the same time without losing pace. Ronaldo: How fast Ronaldo plays can only be understood when you watch him play live. He explodes at a phenomenal pace that leaves most defenders stranded and helpless. Though he needs more room than Messi to be explosive, he seems to glide in the air when at full throttle. That is quite logical when you consider that he is way taller than Lionel Messi. Defending: Modern football demands that all players participate in their team’s defending. To what extent, however, varies from player to player. Messi often initiates the high pressing by his team, often in the opponents’ half, but rarely do we see him defend or follow deep down into his own goal area. It must, however, be noted that Barcelona often average 65 per cent of ball possession, therefore Messi is not required to defend that much. The amount of off-the-ball defense Ronaldo puts in for Real Madrid when he plays is impressive. He not only helps deep down into his own goal area but plays a major role in defending set pieces against his team. His defensive generosity explains why he is more sanctioned with yellow cards than his rival. Shooting: Ronaldo is so good in this department he practically invented a shooting style, where the ball takes a bizarre but effective spin and depth just before it reaches the goalkeeper. Each season, he scores loads of goals from long-range shooting and is excellent at this exercise with both feet. Messi excels at shooting but from a closer range to goal. He prefers to “strike the ball with a curling effect” as opposed to sheer strength and power. Once again caution must be exercised here as Barcelona’s playing style of “Tiki Taka” into the opponents goal area presents Messi with the luxury of striking at goal from close range. Ball control and technique: If there were ever two players of the same generation close to a 10 out of 10 rating in ball control and technique, they are Messi and Ronaldo. They excel, with Ronaldo seeming to have the edge with his artistic mastery. Loads of YouTube videos attest to this. Messi has the edge when we consider running with ball control techniques and dribbling in areas with little room. Physical fitness: Lionel Messi once went over 25 games without missing one for Barcelona. This is only achievable if, as a player, one is exceptionally fit and rested. His high level of fitness enables him to contain the ceaseless assaults he has to endure from defenders. Cristiano Ronaldo is so fit that he models for underwear and is known to be a workaholic though, due to his playboy looks, critics fail to see or admit that he is probably the most fit player there is today. Goals: The 2013 goal scoring statistics are clearly in Ronaldo’s favour. Messi has struggled to stay fit as hamstring injuries have multiplied and, as such, he has missed key games this year. Ronaldo is yet to miss a game due to injuries. Team player: Most would say Lionel Messi is more of a team player as he celebrates his goals in a team manner, while Ronaldo is all about himself. Could it be that Messi has a team player look because he plays in a club in which the players sacrifice their individual glory in service of the Golden Goose Messi? Being the good fellow that he is, he then thanks them in this way? Could it be that Ronaldo plays in an opposite kind of team and has to score most of his goals out of nothing or nearly nothing? It is hard to show team love when it’s not reciprocal. The winner is? Personally, I feel Frank Ribery is the world’s best player at the moment. Who do you think should get Share it with me and the world here or on Twitter: @Sundayooliseh
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:56:20 +0000
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