What's new

Messi v Ronaldo

Who is the better player, Messi or Ronaldo?


  • Total voters
    118

Led's Zeppelin

Can't Re Member
May 28, 2013
7,333
20,178
Now that autumn's here it's time for an old chestnut.

And now that the mighty Tottenham Hotspur have played Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League at our temporary home on two successive seasons, and Ronaldo and Messi not only played but, almost inevitably, scored, we can decide for ourselves who is the better player.

So, using whatever criteria you like, who do you vote for as the better player?

I'd love to know why, too, because despite their vast goal tallies, they are such different players who add different things to their teams.

It's quite remarkable they they have both been around at the same time, and playing in the same league for so long. Now that that's over, it seems like a good time for a poll.
 

Spurrific

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2011
13,501
57,356
Messi's just lucky we didn't have a full team.

He's the best player ever though, maybe second to Zidane (for me).
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,554
For me the only argument althat can be used against Messi is that he's always had the Barcelona security blanket and a team tailor made to get the best out of him, rather than him having to carry the team. And even then he has carried Argentina on many occasions, WC 2014 especially.

He is the undisputable GOAT for me.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,904
78,639
Messi is spoken of as the GOAT. Ronaldo never gets this accolade mentioned when discussing him.

It's also important to note how much Messi does for his team, he dictates play, he presses, he links up play, he finishes, he scores free-kicks, he scores from just about anywhere. He pretty much is the embodiment of a Barcelona team, and part of one of the most impressive and successful sides ever.

Ronaldo doesn't really come close in a lot of aspects. He's a phenomenal goalscorer and has perfect technique but you hardly every see him dictating a game or making things happen from deep. He is decisive because he has the moment of sheer brilliance within him and he can strike at any time but I just feel that he doesn't really carry a team in the way Messi does. A lot of Madrid teams recently have been set up to ensure that Ronaldo benefits the most and he's given the opportunity to preserve energy predominantly for attacking play and because he's such an explosive and athletic player he can deliver frequently.

I've always felt that Messi is out on his own in this era with Ronaldo in the next category.
 

newbie

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2004
6,051
6,342
im the only ronaldo voter how!

Yes Messi is a better footballer but Ronaldo is by far the more complete player his power, size and pace
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Messi hands down. Ronaldo is/was certainly an outstanding player and will certainly be remembered as one of the best of his generation, but Messi is on another level for me.

Can't be arsed to write a long and detailed analysis, but to sum up my feelings Ronaldo plays for himself, or rather for his CR7 brand, whereas Messi plays for the team. I remember years ago back when they were both at their peaks at the two spanish clubs. Ronaldo had a very slightly better goal tally (like 3 or 4 more goals or something) but Messi had almost the same number of assists as he did goals whereas Ronaldo had something like 2 assists because every time he gets into an attacking position all he thinks about it how he can score himself.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
Looking at our game with a bit more distance and less emotion, he completely destroyed us. Just on another level to the other people on the pitch. It's like he's in the matrix.
 

spurs mental

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2007
25,075
49,234
Messi is disgustingly good. What we saw the other night was amazing.

Ronaldo is a machine and an amazing athlete. He has adapted his game accordingly in the last few years to allow him get the most out of himself.

Messi is the more complete footballer and does it all. He's adapted his game as well and does far more from deep than he ever did before in my opinion. He was an absolute joke the other night.

Interesting fact which I only found out on Wednesday, Ronaldo is lauded for his goalscoring but Messi has outscored him for the last 9 season's.
 

Spurs 1961

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
6,665
8,739
Onbiously we can't just judge players on a couple of games. However Messi showed on Wednesday once again that he makes a whole team play. He was like a conductor on the pitch controlling everything with a precision rarely seen. Ronald you know might score a goal or two but is not a complete player, yes one of the greatest goalscorers (the original Ronaldo was even better I think) but not one of the greatest players. For me he stands behind the likes of Messi, Maradona, Cruyff, Best and Pele. Watching us against RM last year I was never worried about what CR would do but every time Messi got the ball was worrying as a Spurs supporter though a delight for his many fans
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
I felt I couldn’t properly comment until I’d seen Messi live, but after I did Wednesday, the answer is Messi. He’s the better footballer.
 

markdadude

Well-Known Member
Oct 25, 2007
445
470
Messi... and it's not even a little bit close.

The creator put in a back door into Messi's brain after growing sick and tired of stupid atheists and just for a bit of fun. Messi knows exactly what to do in every moment as if he can stop time and run each option in his head.

...And he made him humble, modest, honest, private, without ego etc...
Ronaldo on the hand, douche bag, and given recent revelations he might be much worse.
 

Partizan

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2005
6,573
3,405
Messi hands down. Ronaldo is/was certainly an outstanding player and will certainly be remembered as one of the best of his generation, but Messi is on another level for me.

Can't be arsed to write a long and detailed analysis, but to sum up my feelings Ronaldo plays for himself, or rather for his CR7 brand, whereas Messi plays for the team. I remember years ago back when they were both at their peaks at the two spanish clubs. Ronaldo had a very slightly better goal tally (like 3 or 4 more goals or something) but Messi had almost the same number of assists as he did goals whereas Ronaldo had something like 2 assists because every time he gets into an attacking position all he thinks about it how he can score himself.

Yet despite that perception since 09/10 Ronaldo has registered 121 assists in all competitions for club and country (30 behind Messi in that timespan). A lot of unselfish playmakers would be delighted with that kind of output :whistle:
 
Last edited:

Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
26,945
61,824
I just feel what Ronaldo has done for Portugal and also the fact he has succeeded in different leagues gives him an edge.

I'm not going to suggest Messi couldn't so it in England but there is certainly no doubt that Barca see a better Messi than Argentina so could the same be said if he played elsewhere?
 

spurs mental

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2007
25,075
49,234
Feel like we need a list of metrics and do a comparison (y)

Screenshot_20181006-141435_Chrome.jpg


Ronaldo wins on goals per 90 due less games played. Messi scored 29 in La Liga, Ronaldo 24.

Could do this for every season going back to when Ronaldo joined Madrid but I can't be arsed. If anyone has the time or patients to do it be my guest.

http://www2.squawka.com/comparison-matrix#total
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
Yet despite that perception since 09/10 Ronaldo has registered 121 assists in all competitions for club and country (30 behind Messi in that timespan). A lot of unselfish playmakers would be delighted with that kind of output :whistle:

Like I said in my post, Ronaldo is an outstanding player, I'm not questioning that. I'm just saying Messi is better. As you say, his assist rate is still exceptional, but it's not as good as Messi by a considerable margin. Plus obviously there's far more to it than just assists.
 

Partizan

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2005
6,573
3,405
Like I said in my post, Ronaldo is an outstanding player, I'm not questioning that. I'm just saying Messi is better. As you say, his assist rate is still exceptional, but it's not as good as Messi by a considerable margin. Plus obviously there's far more to it than just assists.

I agree that Messi is better. I just think that for as much stick as Ronaldo gets for selfishness and being all about himself on the pitch, he's still managed double figures in assists on multiple seasons, despite generally seeing the ball a lot less than someone like Neymar or Messi.
 

SUIYHA

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2017
1,723
8,579
At the absolute peak of their powers - Messi.

Better career overall - I'd say Ronaldo.

Although if Ronaldo gets put in prison and Messi carries on the way he played the other night then that will change.
 
Top