This isn't even a question any more. Anybody who watches the two even semi-regularly knows there's no question about it, Ronaldo is brilliant, a really, really good player, but Messi is still substantially ahead of him.
Messi, without question. [video=youtube;OZh1kbYDWp4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZh1kbYDWp4&feature=related[/video]
Lallana..! Tbh, I just highlighted this video to draw attention to a commentary style that I will give up watching football for if it ever becomes part of the culture in British Sport. By the time it occurs [if ever] I should be back in the position of being able to afford to watch Saints inside St Marys [or whatever stadium we will be residing in by then].
I think Ronaldo has more strings to his bow but Messi is a better technician. It's too close to call. It would need them both to swap teams for a season to give a fair comparison. Would Messi be as good at Real with a more direct style? Would Ronaldo be able to adapt to a team that pass the ball in the back of the net?
Messi is better, but only because his height is a massive advantage for his style of play. Ronaldo's technique is probably just as good, but he's missing that low centre of gravity that allows Messi to change direction so quickly. Ronaldo would be better in the Premier League. Messi would be bullied.
Oft said, but I'm not sure that it's true...Spanish sides certainly try to bully him, and not with much success. He has also destroyed a good many physical, defensively-strong teams in CL, as well. He'd obviously have to be on the right sort of team to be at his best, and that's really the only criticism I can think of for Messi as relates to Ronaldo; the latter could be a monster in just about any set-up, whereas Messi might struggle a little (relative his standards) in a less fluid team concept. But I have no doubt that you could construct a team around him in the PL where he would look every bit as good as he does in La Liga.
When you watch Ronaldo everything looks learnt. He actually looks quite wooden and stiff to me. The way he runs, the way he stands before his free kicks, even his step-overs look unnatural. That said he is an awesome player. Someone who apparently trains really hard to make himself the best. Messi, by contrast looks totally natural and free. Its like he doesn't have to think about what he is doing it just flows from him. I much prefer watching Messi. Is he better though? Impossible question really. Ronaldo is better in the air and takes better free kicks. Messi has amazingly quick feet and can jinx past anyone no matter how tight the space. Both superb finishers. Both brilliant but different.
Cant say which is better, but both are so far ahead of anyone else in the game at the moment, but on an international level Ronaldo is single handedly dragging Portugal through this tournamnet, and may end up winning it for them ! Messi doesnt seem to have the same impact for Argentina !
