Ultimately it's a pointless debate.
Anyone with the slightest clue about football, or who has ever played the game, can see Messi is MILES more talented than Ronaldo. And he has the performances to back it up, more than Ronaldo. He's far less reliant on service, a far better dribbler, a far better passer, a far better playmaker, a better finisher, now is far better from free kicks, miles better in tight spaces, sees the 'picture' on the pitch far better than Ronaldo does.
I have been playing football for nearly 40 years (playing in a few hours), and out of everyone I know who plays football, the vast majority acknowledge Messi is a far better player than Ronaldo. It's something a rookie or alien coming from Mars can see after just watching the two players for five minutes. But Ronaldo fanboys are really obnoxious and keep trying to force him into a debate he doesn't belong (Maradona, Pele, Messi). It is cringeworthy and so forced.
I don't even like Messi as a person. But I will always defend him as a footballer because he's an absolute genius. Ronaldo really lacks sheer genius and quality compared to many players, never mind the top three of all time. It's very telling that it's always his demented, clueless fanboys who try to force him as the 'GOAT', whereas coaches never rate him at that level.
The guy is a creepy, weird, cringeworthy cunt. There's really no for his unstable fans to be this invested in him. If they are gonna develop a mancrush they should choose someone far better looking and far more talented than him. Celebrity worship is flourishing.
Ronaldo fanboys are just admitting they're utterly clueless about the game, and have never played it, with their lengthy diatribes about Messi and how Ronaldo is the best player ever. It's delusional and forced as fuck and reflects poorly on them.
I am not saying Ronaldo isn't a great player - but putting him up AS A FOOTBALLER (note I didn't say what they have won, or their longevity, or how high they can jump, I am talking pure affinity with a ball and football IQ) against geniuses like Messi, Maradona, Pele, Cruyff and R9 will never end well for him.
I could go on but that's enough.