First off I want to say: Suarez was rightly nowhere in contention for 2013 Balloon. His biting incident was a big deal... and not being in CL is a big deal... can he replicate form in Europe? (I suspect yes, but no opportunity to prove it). That said... I'd like to compare their performances in England. Ronaldo did well getting up in the goals... 31 one year; a number Suarez hasn't yet beaten (although probably would already be close without early season ban). Suarez is threatening this goal scoring record without being a regular penalty taker. (Ronaldo got a lot of goals from penalties... many of those penalties from what most would call a dive). Furthermore, Ronaldo got to take most free kicks. Suarez is beginning to take more, but Gerrard still appears to be our #1 free kick taker. Ronaldo was also very wasteful, taking a shot whenever he was near... most of which ended up in row Z... he was a Charlie Adam with much more pace, skill and trickery. Suarez in 2012, was much the same but he appears to be much more disciplined now only taking good chances. Comparing current stats (unable to find from when Ronaldo was in England). This season Suarez has more goals from fewer games and having taken almost half as many shots on goal as Ronaldo... with an arguably lesser squad to support him- and Suarez is in a tougher league. Suarez also does one better in the assist category. But its not all about goals. Ronaldo was useless in a defensive capacity at United... he was clearly an attack specialist... I think this is where Suarez truly excels. You frequently see Suarez track all the way back to his own box... many of our attacks START with Suarez winning the ball from the opposition. So, no. Suarez didn't diserve the balloon... but he is, if not better than ronaldo, at least better than Ronaldo was when at united. I think Suarez could one day take the crown off Messi as worlds best footballer.
Whilst Ronaldo is a brilliant player, if you shoot often enough, something's bound to go in. He shoots constantly. From anywhere. He'll do a fantastic 50yard run, going past 3 defenders then blaze it over the bar from 35 yards or from a crazy angle. Similar to Bale in that regard and it's almost an arrogance which I find annoying. Whilst Suarez used to do similar (from closer range, but equally impossible angles) and disregard many of his team mates in better positions, this season he's matured immeasurably and often knocks it to better placed team mates or plays the odds - opting to come back inside rather than waste a shot because he's done the hard work. Suarez's all round game is just amazing really. His defensive work and graft rarely gets noticed by fans of other teams but that's what makes him a fans favourite. He's not arrogant and he doesn't wait upfield for the ball to come to him. His goalscoring and genius dribbling helps though... Suarez for me is the one I'd rather have in my team right now but, at the level these guys are playing, we're just lucky we have one of the best here - regardless of who.
You make a very important point here, that Suarez' team play, and not just his goalscoring, has improved dramatically this past year. It's this that might just take him to the top, if he continues the way he is going. As you say, it's not something that people notice so much, apart from those who watch him all the time. His bad boy reputation will still take a lot of work to overcome, before the rest of his game gets full recognition.
True... also in the Ronaldo column... he "looks" flashier... all those step overs and what not (I always chuckle when he tries to be all flash doing a step over and someone just takes the ball from him whilst he's doing his football dance move). As a marketing person I'd probably rather have Ronaldo because he is flashy.
sells to gay community for sure. in fairness only a plastic surgeon and dentist can help luis. its not up to him... but a few good beatings would help conaldo. he chooses to be flash and greasy..
Why be quick when you can nutmeg? RE the free kicks. I don't think any of us realised quite how brilliant a free kick taker he was until Gerrard was out injured. I feel like every one he takes will end up a goal...anyone got a stat for free kicks on goal per goals? I bet his is the highest in the PL of those who've taken more than 5.
I would change that to fast. Suarez is quick over the 5-10 yards, but he doesn't have that lasting stride that Ronaldo has to keep gaining speed. Suarez gets to his top speed after those 10 yards, ROnaldo gets to about gear 2 at that point with about 2 more to go.
Their stance and gait are very different. Suarez looks much shorter than he is because he has a low centre of gravity for someone of his height. It's what makes him so good at that close control and gives him the ability to weave in and out of defenders and somehow come through a ruck of players with the ball. Ronaldo is a great player, no mistake, but you can see what he's doing. With Suarez, I'm constantly baffled by how he does it.
Anytime I watch him play for Uruguay, I have to do a double take as he looks a unit out there compared to the rest!
that fair... suarez is not going to beat anyone to a ball in a straight race but he aint dirk is he? compared to raheem he's slow, or strudge but compared to dirk he's amazing... its one thing he's avrage at... along with left foot..
That quick 5 yards along with the dips of the shoulder, the swivel of the hips, just makes him so elusive.
agree totally. its also what makes him play better with sturridge as sturridge can go on the shoulder and suarez can come deeper. the fact is if i wanted a player to lay a pass on it'd be suarez... never ronaldo. thats why SAS has worked.
