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Why Messi 
& Ronaldo 
are NOT bottlers.
Unravelling the meaning and exposing the truth.
& Ronaldo are NOT bottlers.Unravelling the meaning and exposing the truth.
Cristiano lost RO16 tie to Lyon last night (7th in league and lost over 1/3 of games) yet is the hero who was let down by his team mates.
Messi lost to eventual winners Liverpool last year, despite scoring the same number of goals as CR, as well as setting up 4x 1-on-1's.
Messi lost to eventual winners Liverpool last year, despite scoring the same number of goals as CR, as well as setting up 4x 1-on-1's.
Liverpool last season were insane.
They had the best ever 2nd place season, with a points tally that would have won most previous Prem seasons.
Still, Messi not only destroyed them at the Camp Nou, he also made 2 HUGE chances at Anfield.
He stepped up both games
They had the best ever 2nd place season, with a points tally that would have won most previous Prem seasons.
Still, Messi not only destroyed them at the Camp Nou, he also made 2 HUGE chances at Anfield.
He stepped up both games
If Messi had played the exact same games but played at home 2nd and scored 2 in 2nd leg, he wouldnt have played any better than he did yet people would change their opinion on his performance in the tie and he would now be the hero who was let down by his team mates.
The truth is Ronaldo v Atletico, Wolfsburg, Lyon.. are all great performances. But they are not 'clutch'.
In fact, having done nothing in the first legs, the pressure was off:
If Juve lose, they are underdogs by this point.
If Juve win, CR is the hero....
In fact, having done nothing in the first legs, the pressure was off:
If Juve lose, they are underdogs by this point.
If Juve win, CR is the hero....
... this gives a sense of freedom - which is why he plays well.
Clutch is getting into a lead and holding that lead, despite intense pressure from your opponent.
To prove this- who do you think felt pressure when Juve were chasing the late goal?
Id say Lyon, a LOT more
Clutch is getting into a lead and holding that lead, despite intense pressure from your opponent.
To prove this- who do you think felt pressure when Juve were chasing the late goal?
Id say Lyon, a LOT more
If the 2 legs v Lyon were reversed, and CR done nothing in the 2nd leg - would he be a bottler? Of course not.
Ronaldo and Messi have BOTH stepped up in big games.
Even if they dont score/assist, they are not bottling. Far from it.
They are doing everything they can 100%.
Ronaldo and Messi have BOTH stepped up in big games.
Even if they dont score/assist, they are not bottling. Far from it.
They are doing everything they can 100%.
Messi missing a pen in Copa final and CR missing un UCL final are not bottling moments.
Bottling =playing it safe, yet they are both trying to hit the corners of the goal. Drilling it down the middle = easy option, leaving it up to luck so you dont have to make a decision.
Bottling =playing it safe, yet they are both trying to hit the corners of the goal. Drilling it down the middle = easy option, leaving it up to luck so you dont have to make a decision.
In summary, neither of these insanely good (possibly best ever) goalscorers are bottlers.
They miss big chances, they score big chances -
But they NEVER shy away.
They miss big chances, they score big chances -
But they NEVER shy away.
Have I convinced you to stop the 'bottling' debate?
@Bette_1_ do we agree on something?
