I can't think of any question that have been asked more than "Ronaldo vs Messi,who is the greatest of all time?"
As the two greatest players of their generation prepare to face each other for the first time since may 2018, the answer is impossible to say just simply that they are both the best.
In the process of trying to lay to rest an irrelevant and fundamentally flawed conclusion, everyone seems to make the same basic error. People seek to compare the two geniuses who changed the way football is viewed in the world by highlighting their difference.
Put it simply, Messi is the best player and Ronaldo is the best striker have ever seen in this current generation.
But superficial view of "who is better" has lay to waste,the fact that they have a lot in common than what separates them. So as their clubs Barcelona and Juventus meet each other today. Let's see what this two footballing great have in common.
A SIMILAR BACKGROUND
Ronaldo and Messi come from humble origins. Cristiano is the youngest of four children raised in Madeira by Jose Dinis Aveiro - a gardener by trade - and his wife Maria Dolores, a cook.
Leo is the third child of four born to Jorge Messi, a steel factory manager, and his wife Celia Cuccittini, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop.
Both would risk everything in their quest to become great footballers, simply because neither had a "Plan B". In their minds, there was no other choice. And no doubts either. Doubts kill dreams.
Ronaldo's journey into the unknown began when, as a 12-year-old, he left Madeira for the first time, en route to Lisbon where he would play for Sporting and endure months of loneliness as team-mates made fun of his skinny nature and maideran accent.
The 12-year-old Messi wept as the plane flew out of his beloved Argentina for Spain. He was accompanied by his family - at least for the time being.
DESTINED FOR GREATNESS
They were destined for greatness from the time they made their debut.
Ronaldo made his first debut with Sporting on 7 October 2002, aged 17 years, eight months and two days. Messi first appeared in Barcelona's senior team at 16 years, four months and 23 days, on 16 November 2003
From the moment they made those first appearances both were considered certainties to become major players on the world stage.
"There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me," said Best of Ronaldo in 2003, while after seeing Messi train for the first time, Ronaldinho - one of the world's most admired players at the time - said: "He will be soon be the best player in the world."
THEY BOTH BEEN VITAL FOR THEIR TEAMS SUCCESSES
Messi has won Spain's Pichichi Trophy for being the league's highest goalscorer for the past three years and seven times in the past 11 seasons. For three out of the other four years, it has gone to Ronaldo. Messi having this Godlike ability to snatch victory in the grasps of defeat.
Ronaldo has also proved himself countless times,most notably scoring a hattrick to knock out Athletico Madrid in the second leg of round 16 in the champions league 2019 edition for Juventus when they were two goals down from the first leg.
Also the fact that since the departure of Christiano Ronaldo in 2018, Real Madrid have never past the knockout stages of the Champions League. Impressive right lol.
THEY REINVENTED THEMSELVES
Both have reinvented themselves as they have grown older. Ronaldo, beset with knee problems and conscious of the fact he no longer possessed the lightning pace to strike terror into defenders, converted himself from blisteringly fast winger to the most lethal striker the game has ever seen.
Messi is a winger but not just content with just scoring for fun, he has now begun to occupy a place further back in the midfield so, when not scoring more goals than anyone else in La Liga, he also dedicates himself to creating more goals than any other player over the course of a season. The complete forward.
THEY BOTH STRIVE ON EACH OTHER TO BUILD UP THEIR SUCCESSES
A question: Would Messi and Ronaldo have been as successful if they had not had each to compete against? Answer: probably not.
As they say "without an enemy,we grow lazy".
A perfect example is On 27 January 2013, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Getafe only for Messi to hit four against Osasuna a few hours later. Coincidence? I don't think so. Why?
Well because the level they demand from themselves varies and increases as the enemy's achievements increases.
"Thinking small makes us grow only a little. If the level we demand from ourselves is not stimulated daily, we stop evolving. If one of them didn't exist, the other would be satisfied with being top scorer with 25 goals."
Whether is back then in Spain and now in the European stage,they make each other better. So don't compare,just enjoy them while it last.
Blaze out!!!
Comments