The Argentine skipper has often been compared to another Argentine legend- Diego Maradona. However, his comparisons with the Portuguese Powerhouse, Cristiano Ronaldo is by far one of the most intriguing ones.

It is quite rare for two players of astronomical grandeur to showcase their talent at the same time. Messi and Cristiano have been doing exactly that for more than fifteen years now.

The Messi Ronaldo saga is so engaging that it has led to brawls at parties and jostles at stadiums. Several questions about who is better Ronaldo or Messi, have been raised and debated on for a long time.



Standing on the threshold of the thirty-third birthday of Lionel Messi, we all have a look at the Top 10 reasons why Messi is better than Ronaldo. Let’s grab a cup of coffee and relive the maestro’s superiority at the zenith.

#10. Team Game – who is better messi or ronaldo

Team player Messi

Anyone who plays or follows soccer would understand the importance of team game. No matter how big or dexterous a player is, if he’s not helping his teammates, the game cannot be won.



Messi is not only one a cut above others in skills, but his mental reading of the game is also second to none. It is the mental framework that helps him realize who is the best player to score from a certain attack. As a result, it is reflected in the wins churned out for Barcelona.

Ronaldo, though he’s a great ambassador of the game, he is often criticized for being selfish before the goal. In Barcelona, it is seen how teammates flock around Leo who helps in providing assists. Whereas, Ronaldo at times is a lonely figure at the front. Messi can easily fit in any outfit across the globe, but for Ronaldo, it is not so. Cristiano is a sheer mismatch for teams playing possession-based football.

#9. Defending





If there is one attribute in Cristiano Ronaldo’s gameplay that strikes low in contrast to Messi’s, it is his defending. Ronaldo’s fans may question the need of him defending albeit being a central forward. However, the game of soccer entitles one as a great when that player shows all-round brilliance.

In contrast to Ronaldo’s 0.3 interception rate and 0.2 tackle rate per match, Messi stands tall. In La Liga alone, Messi has gathered up 0.6 interception rate added to his 0.7 tackle rate per game. Unlike Cristiano, Messi can be seen pressing for the ball throughout 90 minutes. (Video Courtesy -Anass)



#8. Discipline


(Getty Images)

While it comes to discipline, the Argentine has far better records then the Portuguese. Throughout their career, the difference in the attitude of both the legends is striking enough.




While Ronaldo is known for his witty remarks on and off the field, his cocky attitude has often put him in trouble. Though Messi is one of the most tackled players in the history of the game his calmness personifies a soothing aura.

In his entire career till date, Messi has received 77 yellow cards and 2 paltry red cards (both coming in international matches for Argentina). On the other hand, Ronaldo has 120 yellow cards to his name and has been sent off 11 times. Messi has been suspended for 4 games. Whereas, Ronaldo has suffered a similar fate in 24 matches.

#7. Passing Ability






Thanks to Pep Guardiola and his tiki-taka style of soccer, Lionel Messi has become a fine-grained passer in the soccer world. Playing beside the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the wizard has mastered the art of passing.

It seems as if Lionel Messi has a live blueprint of the match inside his brain. Whether it is a short pass or a long haul, his passes are inch-perfect. Though Ronaldo’s passing accuracy is better than most players, it is not as impressive as Messi’s.

Be it defensively, creating a counter-attack, or be it at the attacking end, Leo’s passing ability is unmatchable.

#6. Accolades

accolades man messi




Neither of the superstars is shy when it comes to collecting trophies and awards and filling up their cabinet. If we collect the gold from both these players, we might as well be able to buy an island in the Caribbean.

Messi edges past Ronaldo in terms of the Ballon d’Or as he has 6 compared to Ronaldo’s 5. Although he has never won a World Cup, he has the Golden Ball from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo’s fans argue that Messi has no international trophies while Ronaldo has one. Messi, on the other hand, Leo has an Olympic gold medal and an under 20 World Cup title.

Apart from an international trophy, Messi has won almost every award, putting him before CR7.If one sits down to count the duo’s achievements, he might as well be lost in oblivion.




#5. Goal Scoring Prowess – who has more goals Messi or Ronaldo

Goal machine Lionel Messi

Every time you sit down between a Ronaldo and Messi fan, you get engrossed in their heated arguments. Questions like- has Ronaldo scored more goals than Messi or has Messi scored more goals than Ronaldo spice it up.

A plethora of goals in each player’s kitty reflects their hunger for goals. While in the Champions League, Ronaldo is the highest goal scorer, in La Liga it is LM10 (Leo). Messi had scored a jaw-dropping 91 goals in a season that is God-like. Considering the ages of both the players, Messi has a great chance of going past Ronaldo’s goal scoring tally.




A recent report by michelacosta.com highlights the scoring tally of the two legends. Ronaldo has scored 725 goals in 1002 matches at an average of 0.72 goals per match. Whereas, Messi has netted 699 goals out of 859 matches at an impressive 0.81 goals per match.

#4. Technical Ability – who is faster Messi or Ronaldo






Ronaldo can score with his left foot, with his right foot, and with his head. However, it has taken the Portuguese years to become what he is today. Leo is different from CR7 in this aspect. Right from his La Masia academy days, Messi has always been a God-gifted player.

Ronaldo would set fire on the left-wing dribbling past one or two to score an amazing goal. Both these players are definitely the best wingers of all time. Messi would rather give short passes and when it comes solely to him, he would go onto dribble past 5 to 6 defenders to score a goal.






It’s a treat to watch both the legends play, but the Barca skipper has something magical in him. Messi’s left foot acts as a magic wand of the sorcerer; scoring stunning goals as well as assisting teammates.

#3. Attitude






Ronaldo might be one of the topmost spenders on charity, but on the field, he’s an arrogant fellow. Messi too spends heavily on charity and unlike Ronaldo, he is the personification of calmness.

Criticisms on Ronaldo flock in from every corner of the world on how he dives. He stays on the ground even though he is fit enough to get up and play. Diving takes away the beauty of the game, overshadowing it with dishonesty. He portrays the sportsmanship spirit, even though Lionel Messi is one of the most tackled players in the world. If he is okay, he will always be seen getting on with the game.










https://www.sportszion.com/messi-better-than-ronaldo/

Una never tire with this nonsense Ronaldo and Messi comparison?..it's getting boring already...

Messi is the only player that made Sir Alex Ferguson shook like a man with epilepsy on the touch line.

Every time Messi faced Ronaldo in the Champions league, he has successfully defeated him. The only few times Ronaldo won the Champions league, he was able to avoid Messi on the way.

Messi is the only player that dribbled Ronaldo and made him go down on his knees.
Mourinho came to Spain and turned football into war because of Messi.

Without goals, ronaldo is useless but without Messi, football is useless.

update am.,messi don win copa..
u are jus giving 10 reasons but we all know its more than 10 reasons..
messi ia d only player dt can easily endup as the mvp of that game even without a goal or assit bcox he is everything about the game
messi is the only player dt would still be the best player on the pitch on his bad day.

I stopped reading when I saw messi defending better than Ronaldo ...let the midget defend one corner first....

Kingcalls:
I stopped reading when I saw messi defending better than Ronaldo ...let the midget defend one corner first....

Me too.

It shows that the writer is wallowing in dreams.