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A thread on why Lionel Andrés Messi is not only better than Cristiano Ronaldo but the greatest footballer to ever grace this planet: a thread. (Likes and RTs appreciated)
1. Goalscoring
The main attribute of a forward’s game is their goalscoring ability. Messi has 725 goals in 902 appearances, at a rate of 0.8 goals per game. By comparison, Ronaldo has 764 goals in 1047 games, at a rate of 0.73.
The main attribute of a forward’s game is their goalscoring ability. Messi has 725 goals in 902 appearances, at a rate of 0.8 goals per game. By comparison, Ronaldo has 764 goals in 1047 games, at a rate of 0.73.
2. Assists/Playmaking ability
Messi isn’t just a clinical goalscorer- he’s a prolific assister too. Messi has 304 assists in his 902 games- 0.38 per game. Ronaldo has 224 in his 1047 games- just 0.21 per game. This gives Messi a staggering 1.14 G/A per game- 0.94 for Ronaldo.
Messi isn’t just a clinical goalscorer- he’s a prolific assister too. Messi has 304 assists in his 902 games- 0.38 per game. Ronaldo has 224 in his 1047 games- just 0.21 per game. This gives Messi a staggering 1.14 G/A per game- 0.94 for Ronaldo.
And these stats carry over when facing each-other- Messi has notched 0.66 goals per game, 0.37 assists per game and 1.03 G/A per game when facing Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in El Clasicos. (Ronaldo has 0.6, 0.03 and 0.63) 1.03 G/A per match in the biggest game in football. Unreal.
3. He’s more technically gifted.
Whether it be turning on a sixpence to get away from his man, a mesmerising touch to dead the ball or wriggling through a crowd of players, Messi’s raw talent means there are things he does Ronaldo could only ever dream of doing. Case in point.
Whether it be turning on a sixpence to get away from his man, a mesmerising touch to dead the ball or wriggling through a crowd of players, Messi’s raw talent means there are things he does Ronaldo could only ever dream of doing. Case in point.
‘But there’s things Ronaldo does Messi can’t do- like heading’ Messi did this against Ronaldo’s Man United in a champions league final. Respect man, respect
Might as well misspell another myth while I’m here- Ronaldo bests Messi in the Champions League. Messi has 0.8 goals per game, 0.24 assists per game and 1.04 assists per game in the UCL- a better ratio compared to 0.77, 0.22 and 0.99 for Ronaldo.
Fuck it, I’m on a roll. ‘Messi is a bottler who doesn’t turn up in big games’ Messi has 0.83 goals per game, 0.4 assists per game and 1.23 G/A per game in finals. Ronaldo has 0.63, 0.07 and 0.7. Messi also has better stats in the World Cup (0.32,0.26,0.58 vs 0.41,0.12,0.53)
4. Dead ball specialist.
Messi has more free kicks for Barcelona (48) than ‘The king of free kicks’ Ronaldo has in his entire club career (47). Messi also holds the record for the most free kicks in a calendar year with 8.
Messi has more free kicks for Barcelona (48) than ‘The king of free kicks’ Ronaldo has in his entire club career (47). Messi also holds the record for the most free kicks in a calendar year with 8.
‘But Messi never scores from open play’
Messi has 573 open play goals, the same number as Ronaldo. However, Messi has done so in 145 fewer games. Messi could go 144 games without an open play goal from now and still have a better ratio than Ronaldo. That’s 3 seasons of football.
Messi has 573 open play goals, the same number as Ronaldo. However, Messi has done so in 145 fewer games. Messi could go 144 games without an open play goal from now and still have a better ratio than Ronaldo. That’s 3 seasons of football.
5. Lionel Messi in 2012.
The 2012 version of Messi is the greatest sportsman to ever live. Not just football- any sport. 69 games, 91 goals, 22 assists. That’s 1.32 goals per game, 0.32 assists per game and 1.64 G/A per game. 1.64. Think about that for a second.
The 2012 version of Messi is the greatest sportsman to ever live. Not just football- any sport. 69 games, 91 goals, 22 assists. That’s 1.32 goals per game, 0.32 assists per game and 1.64 G/A per game. 1.64. Think about that for a second.
Even better than this, Messi scored 95 goals in less than a year (362 days) between the 19th of February 2012 and the 16th of February 2013. That’s a goal every 3.8 days.
This season also saw him break the record for most league goals in a season (73), win his 4th consecutive Balon D’Or, win the European Golden Shoe and win 4 trophies for Barca.
Whilst we’re on the subject...
6. Trophies.
Messi has amassed more silverware than Ronaldo, winning 34 trophies to Ronaldo’s 32. This rings true on the personal level with Messi again besting Ronaldo with 77 individual awards (Ronaldo has 65).
6. Trophies.
Messi has amassed more silverware than Ronaldo, winning 34 trophies to Ronaldo’s 32. This rings true on the personal level with Messi again besting Ronaldo with 77 individual awards (Ronaldo has 65).
This includes 4 Champions League Titles, 10 out of a possible 16 league titles (6 of which were won whilst Ronaldo was playing in the league), compared to Ronaldo’s 7 out of 17, a record 6 Balon D’Ors, 6x La Liga player of the season (Ronaldo has 1) and 6 European Golden Shoes.
Just before I end the thread, some other crazy stats:
54 Hat tricks
Scored in a record 21 consecutive league games
4 Balon D’Ors in a row
In 2012 alone, Messi scored more goals (91) than Ronaldo did in six season in the premier league (84)
’He’s not a big game player’
54 Hat tricks
Scored in a record 21 consecutive league games
4 Balon D’Ors in a row
In 2012 alone, Messi scored more goals (91) than Ronaldo did in six season in the premier league (84)
’He’s not a big game player’
In conclusion, Lionel Messi is THE greatest footballer to ever grace this planet. He has everything, where Ronaldo does not. An elite goalscoring ability, an incredible playmaking ability, trophies, individual honours, technical ability, better statistics. In one word- GOAT
End of thread. This was a special one for me because this man made me fall in love with the sport. Simply the greatest
