It has been almost a decade since the world of soccer has been represented primarily by two players: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or five times, while Ronaldo has won it four times. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo was also awarded with two “The Best FIFA Men’s Player” in 2016 and 2017, leaving Messi second both years.
Both of them are now in their early 30’s, which is usually an indication that a player’s best times are ending and younger generations are starting to make headlines and win some awards. However, that’s not the case for Ronaldo and Messi, as they are still the top players in the world. That doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon, since neither of these world-class players shows signs of deterioration, and their stats, like goals and assists, are incomparable.
Everyone has their own opinion regarding who’s the best, but it’s difficult to compare these two players since both of them are so different — from the positions they play to their actual playing style. Messi enjoys having the ball on his control (classic for a number 10), while Ronaldo is the team’s killer; the one who usually scores when his team needs it and helps them finish their moves.
Furthermore, with Ronaldo we see how working hard and training your body regularly can make you one of the best athletes in the world. With Messi, there’s nothing but pure talent. His passion for playing and his ability to use his skills in his favor are unique. Both have made and broken individual and team records and we are truly fortunate to be able to see them play at the same time. But we have to ask, when will the new Messi or Ronaldo appear?
