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Messi’s career path vs Ronaldo’s
[THREAD]
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[THREAD]
CR started off in the Portuegese league and had to earn a transfer to a top club.
Messi played for a team that won a UCL & 2 La Liga before he was a regular starter. These trophies are still used in debates.
Messi played for a team that won a UCL & 2 La Liga before he was a regular starter. These trophies are still used in debates.
CR joined the Prem in it’s toughest era. It was ranked as the strongest league of the 2000s by UEFA & IFFHS.
Compared to La Liga there were more teams in contention for titles:
Compared to La Liga there were more teams in contention for titles:
Ronaldo had to develop in this league as a wide midfielder which harmed his numbers.
Messi developed in La Liga, where numbers were easier to come by.
Messi developed in La Liga, where numbers were easier to come by.
This difference lasted for 6 years.
He left for Madrid but they weren’t a top club at the time. He traded B2B UCL finals for a team who couldn’t make it past the R16:
- 05/06: Round of 16
- 06/07: Round of 16
- 07/08: Round of 16
- 08/09: Round of 16
He left for Madrid but they weren’t a top club at the time. He traded B2B UCL finals for a team who couldn’t make it past the R16:
- 05/06: Round of 16
- 06/07: Round of 16
- 07/08: Round of 16
- 08/09: Round of 16
He also joined RM at the time of Pep’s Barcelona - arguably the greatest club side of all time
Messi played with Xavi & Iniesta in a system built around him. CR wasn’t gifted with the same teammates or managerial setup:
Messi played with Xavi & Iniesta in a system built around him. CR wasn’t gifted with the same teammates or managerial setup:
In ALL 9 seasons CR was in La Liga, his defence conceeded more goals than Barca. But individually:
Same G/G as Messi (1.07)
More match winners in less games
0.08 less A/G
Their stats were virtually equal but he only received 2 titles out of 9 due to Madrid’s defence.
Same G/G as Messi (1.07) More match winners in less games 0.08 less A/GTheir stats were virtually equal but he only received 2 titles out of 9 due to Madrid’s defence.
Whilst RM improved and became a good team, his offensive teammates still weren’t on par with Messi’s.
In the UCL KO’s, these are the goal involvements per game of each player during the MSN/BBC eras:
In the UCL KO’s, these are the goal involvements per game of each player during the MSN/BBC eras:
Ronaldo left RM after a UCL 3peat for a declining Juventus side.
Most players are past their prime and the team has been creating only the 5th most chances in the league:
Most players are past their prime and the team has been creating only the 5th most chances in the league:
1. Bar Dybala, he plays with a 32 y/o Higuain, and Bernadeschi who hasn’t scored in 48 league games
2. His MF isn’t Pogba/Pirlo/Vidal, but Rabiot/Pjanic/Bentancur
3. The defence has conceeded more goals in each of the last 2 seasons than all seasons of the 7 title wins
2. His MF isn’t Pogba/Pirlo/Vidal, but Rabiot/Pjanic/Bentancur
3. The defence has conceeded more goals in each of the last 2 seasons than all seasons of the 7 title wins
We also need to consider - Ronaldo had to adapt to these leagues. His numbers dropped in the process.
Since 2007, CR has finished outside the BDor T2 twice - these were his 1st seasons at RM & Juve
He also lost the chance to win a few ‘supercup’ trophies due to moving
Since 2007, CR has finished outside the BDor T2 twice - these were his 1st seasons at RM & Juve
He also lost the chance to win a few ‘supercup’ trophies due to moving
Internationally CR plays with Portugal whilst Messi plays with Argentina.
As well as historically, Argentina have been a better & more balanced side than Portugal during their careers:
As well as historically, Argentina have been a better & more balanced side than Portugal during their careers:
Ronaldo’s INT teammates in his prime were much lesser than Messi’s. Ballon D’Or nominations from 2008-2018:
CR had 3 teammates nominated a total of 3 times (1 each)
Messi had 5 teammates nominated a total of 12 times
This was CR’s team during his prime-age World Cup:
CR had 3 teammates nominated a total of 3 times (1 each) Messi had 5 teammates nominated a total of 12 timesThis was CR’s team during his prime-age World Cup:
On the same trend - Ronaldo won 5 out of his 5 Ballon D’Ors with 0 top 3 teammates.
Messi won 1/6 like this, having 6 top 3 teammates in the other 5.
In terms of top 10, Messi has had 20 teammates vs 12 for Ronaldo:
Messi won 1/6 like this, having 6 top 3 teammates in the other 5.
In terms of top 10, Messi has had 20 teammates vs 12 for Ronaldo:
Ronaldo also suffered from a tendinosis knee injury in 2014. A reported 3/10 athletes who suffer this retire after the injury.
It heavily affected his agility and all around style of play in his later years:
It heavily affected his agility and all around style of play in his later years:
More proof on team quality, winrate:
When neither play, Messi’s teams have a higher win % in UCL, La Liga & Internationally
But when they both play, Ronaldo’s teams have a higher win % in the UCL & Internationally
(& CR has a more positive effect on La Liga win % too)
When neither play, Messi’s teams have a higher win % in UCL, La Liga & Internationally
But when they both play, Ronaldo’s teams have a higher win % in the UCL & Internationally
(& CR has a more positive effect on La Liga win % too)
Now - CR has had good teams, no doubting that. But statistically, they’re not close to the level that Messi has had. Plus, he’s had to adapt.
Messi will always be a
- but you can’t look at all of this and say Ronaldo isn’t at least on the same level as him.
Messi will always be a
- but you can’t look at all of this and say Ronaldo isn’t at least on the same level as him.
