Throughout the history of the
ever-enthralling round leather game of football, there have only been few
occasions when two players have genuinely vied for the throne-chair of the
world’s best footballer. Over the last few years, Messi and Ronaldo have
ignited European football in a manner few can recall being bettered. From the
pubs and paper stands to the chirping of twitter, the debate raves and woos the
attention it deserves on who the better player is between the baby-faced
assassin ‘Leo’ and the twinkle-polished egocentric ‘CR7’.
However, the desire to scribble down this
prose-piece is not solely hinged on that, so this is not a question am prepared
to answer since each of these players have endeared followers to themselves on
differing parameters of style, class, finesse, guts, carriage and impeccable
delivery of goals.
MR MESSILESS
You can never describe him perfectly but
he remains human. He maneuvers his markers as if possessed of a demon, and
executes every bending and nifty footwork with a resurgent obsession of
excellence. MR MAGIC leaves defenders for dead like the Spartan Leonaidas, and
if you need more pun on the argentine midget, you can put a call through to
Arsene Wenger and ask him on why he averred Messi as a play station 2 game
character. Even the most casual observer of the game over the last few years
will be aware of his brilliance and the esteem castle he resides, in the mind
of football fanatics.
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| Take a chill pill Christiano, i got swagz too |
Many see Messi as the better player. A
conclusion reached considering his achievements with Barcelona. But he plays in
tandem with two of the greatest attacking midfielders of all time: Xavi
Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. As a trio, their understanding, technique, blend
and fluidity means Messi is often played into areas of the field where his
speed, speed of thought and miracle foot can be at their most devastating. FC
Barcelona- the best team to ever grace modern football, a team which vaunts
several other maestros with delectable talents unrivalled in any corner of the
universe where life exists, is an extraordinary team that helps make the player
we know as Messi possible. You question my prerogative? Ask yourself if his
Barcelona displays are well replicated (note my use of ‘well’) whenever he is
playing for Argentina.
Here he draws frustrated criticism from
the nation’s fervent football supporters who watch a god in Catalonia and his
shadow in Beuno Aires.
RUN-ALL-DAY
Christiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aveiro.
That’s a pretty long name but not as great as his stride. Christiano is a
speedster who has cultured his ultra-acceleration overtime in the game. He has
a more confrontational style, using his naturally strong physique to power past
defenders.
Originally a trickster, he still manages
step-overs and his hallmark flicks when facing a player, is without question,
for intimidation than actual use. With a well built upper body-Ronaldo prides
in his physical prowess and with a leap of a basketballer, he is indeed a
genuine aerial threat.
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| Ron, after his winner at the Nou camp trounced Barcelona off the title race in April |
As a football idol with pile-plenty hype,
‘CR7’ was fond of saying ‘I know I’m the best’ and while the billion dollar
baby’s statement may not be humble, his goals, skills, speed, Record setting
and Record breaking potentials, and ability to deliver in any situation and at
whatever nick of time prove his words. Having excelled in the hustle and bustle
of a frantic English Premier League and in the more technically astute La Liga,
it is rainbow obvious that Ronaldo deserves every plaudits trailing his rear.
Capable of hitting his shots powerfully
beyond the man between the sticks, he has made a fashion out of executing
free-kicks, that propels the ball in directions as difficult to predict as he
is as a player.
But it is his petulance and often visible
irritable behavior that some observers mark out as to why he is inferior to the
calm and serene Messi.
WHO IS BETTER?
Can one be
conclusively regarded as the best of the fray? Each raises the bar with their
displays of brilliance and innovation. What is certain is, they are both
players that can single-handedly change the course of a game and a season, no
other player in the world currently tick all of those boxes with such
regularity. They are very much above the rest.
However, there is one thing common to players
described as great throughout history, and it is the world cup medal. Very few,
such as Cruff or Best never lifted a World Cup Trophy, the rest can boast of at
least one. Two attempts thus far, and neither Lionel or Christiano have lay
claim of this medal, well they have another chance in Brazil in 2014.
Should either of these two once in a
lifetime talents hold aloft the World Cup in Rio, this debate (of who is
better?) will be laid to rest. It’s in your hands now Messi, it’s in your hands
now Ronaldo.
Twitter @Virgineboy
