I've been seeing many people say Ronaldo didn't deserve to be above Messi. So I decided to make this thread.
Let's compare their overall stats.
Ronaldo in 19/20-
46 games
37 goals
5 assists
Serie A winner
Let's compare their overall stats.
Ronaldo in 19/20-
46 games

37 goals

5 assists

Serie A winner

Messi in 19/20-
44 games
31 goals
25 assists
44 games

31 goals

25 assists

Ronaldo had a better goal ratio than Messi, whereas Messi had higher overall goal contribution. This might make people think that, since Messi contributed more, he had the better season.
And this is where people are wrong.
And this is where people are wrong.
Here are the results when we break Messi's goals down vs bottom teams.
2 goals vs Alaves
1 goal vs Leganes
1 goal vs Mallorca
4 vs Eibar
1 vs Alaves
3 vs Mallorca
3 vs Celta Vigo
1 vs Levante
2 vs Real Valladolid
1 vs Eibar
76% goals vs bottom 10 sides
2 goals vs Alaves
1 goal vs Leganes
1 goal vs Mallorca
4 vs Eibar
1 vs Alaves
3 vs Mallorca
3 vs Celta Vigo
1 vs Levante
2 vs Real Valladolid
1 vs Eibar
76% goals vs bottom 10 sides

Same thing for Ronaldo.
1 vs Sampdoria
1 vs Torino
1 vs Genoa
1 vs Lecce
1 vs Bologna
1 vs Spal
2 vs Parma
3 vs Cagliari
1 vs Sampdoria
2 vs Udinese
1 vs Genoa
1 vs Bologna
1 vs Spal
54% goals vs bottom 10 sides. Clearly a drastic difference
1 vs Sampdoria
1 vs Torino
1 vs Genoa
1 vs Lecce
1 vs Bologna
1 vs Spal
2 vs Parma
3 vs Cagliari
1 vs Sampdoria
2 vs Udinese
1 vs Genoa
1 vs Bologna
1 vs Spal
54% goals vs bottom 10 sides. Clearly a drastic difference

% of goals vs top 10 sides-
Ronaldo- 46% (14 goals)
Messi- 24% (6 goals)
Ronaldo not only scored more goals vs top sides, he also had more league goals.
Ronaldo- 31 goals
Messi- 25 goals
Ronaldo- 46% (14 goals)

Messi- 24% (6 goals)

Ronaldo not only scored more goals vs top sides, he also had more league goals.
Ronaldo- 31 goals

Messi- 25 goals

In addition to this, Ronaldo won more points through his goals than Messi.
Ronaldo- 12 game winners (most in T5 leagues with Lewandowski)
Messi- 6 game winners
Ronaldo's decisive goals helped Juventus clinch the Serie A title
Ronaldo- 12 game winners (most in T5 leagues with Lewandowski)

Messi- 6 game winners

Ronaldo's decisive goals helped Juventus clinch the Serie A title

Now I know many Messi fans will argue his assist number was way higher than Ronaldo's.
True, but once again, 71% of those came vs bottom 10 sides.
The same argument brought up will be the amount of chances created.
True, but once again, 71% of those came vs bottom 10 sides.
The same argument brought up will be the amount of chances created.
Ronaldo hit 51 key passes in the league.
Messi hit 89 key passes in the league.
There is a difference there.
However Ronaldo was more decisive scoring goals, which was crucial in Juve winning the title.
Messi failed to perform vs top table teams, and Barca lost the league.
Messi hit 89 key passes in the league.
There is a difference there.
However Ronaldo was more decisive scoring goals, which was crucial in Juve winning the title.
Messi failed to perform vs top table teams, and Barca lost the league.
The argument is brought down to effectiveness at the end. CR7 scored the decisive goals, performed vs top teams and Juve won the league.
Messi did not do the same, you can't just put statistics and say he was better.
This is why context is extemely important in these awards.
Messi did not do the same, you can't just put statistics and say he was better.
This is why context is extemely important in these awards.