Who’s the best?
With Ronaldo’s skills on the decline, Messi laying claim to title of world’s top footballer
A debate that has divided world football fans for a decade won’t be resolved, no matter what happens at this summer’s World Cup.
However, opinions appear to be shifting in one direction.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, 30, and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 33, are set to feature in another World Cup that’s sure to invoke comparisons between the world’s top two footballers.
While little separated these rivals in their primes, Ronaldo’s form — albeit still top-class — has declined considerably since the previous World Cup.
Asked to choose between Messi and Ronaldo before things get going in Russia, German manager Joachim Low went with the Barcelona playmaker.
“I would stick with Messi,” Low told German tabloid according to Fox Sports. “Cristiano Ronaldo is sensational, a very good professional, an incredible goal-scoring machine for many years, but Messi is the most complete player I have seen.
“He is a great team player,” Low continued. “He’s capable of leaving eight or nine players in his path and his goals always stay in your memory.”
In contrast, Ronaldo has had to alter the way he impacts games. He’s often on the end of things for Real Madrid, while Messi is at the beginning, creating goals for others or, like Low suggested, doing it himself.
Some onlookers also prefer Messi’s temperament to Ronaldo’s me-first mentality.
The Real Madrid legend was criticized following Los Blanco’s recent Champions League win for hinting he is set to leave the club.