Messi 10 or Ronaldo 7?

Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Messi 10 or Ronaldo 7? It is a debate which rages on in pubs, clubs, cafes, places of work and anywhere else any football loving fans care to assemble to discuss who in their opinion is the best? Everyone has their own unique opinion on each, I mean that’s what makes football so good?! It divides opinion.

Lionel Messi has been a one club man. Signing for Barcelona as a teen and being the talisman for over ten years. Now that’s some achievement in this day and age of football. Over 500 appearances with a single club, in an age where money talks and the top players move around to satisfy their bank balance as well as their trophy cabinets. Since making his debut in 2004, Messi has racked up an impressive 491 goals in those 568 appearances, an amazing return. His goals have helped Barcelona to domestic domination. Multiple la Liga titles, Copa del Rey’s and two intercontinental trophies, along with five Ballon d’Ors, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. But is he the best?

Gianluigi Buffon on Messi: I saw him at a recent awards ceremony and I just had to touch him to see if he was human.

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, unlike Messi who has spent his entire career in Spain, has played in three countries. Starting his career with Sporting Lisbon, scoring 5 times in 31 games, before Manchester United came calling. 292 times Ronaldo wore the famous red of United, scoring 112 goals along the way before his dream move to Real Madrid happened. Having played less games in Spain then Messi, 352, his goals rate is actually better than 1 per game with a return of 376 strikes. With Barca dominating in the last 10 years domestically, Madrid are in Barca’s shadow and have only managed one la Liga title and two Champions League wins during the last four years. Ronaldo has not won as many Ballon d’Ors as Messi, although he is the current holder of the prestigious accolade. He was voted the world’s best player on five occasions, coming top in 2008, 2013,2014 and 2016. One thing in Cristiano’s favour is that he CAN say he’s done it on a cold Tuesday night in Bolton… twice in fact!

Sir Alex Ferguson on Ronaldo: We have had some fantastic players here at United over the last 20 years, but he is up there with the best.

So there we have it, two players who are an on an absolute different level than the rest. Instead of the argument or debate raging on over who is the best why don’t we just sit back and enjoy these two fabulous footballers because they won’t be around forever. We may never see their kind again in our life time.