Cr150

[FinBarcelonafan]

Messi and Ronaldo have different strengths

Messi and Ronaldo have same weaknesses

Well said

 

[Morten]

that's what people used to say about him and it was supposed to be a knock at Messi.

Who are these "people" you are talking about? Everyone knows Ronaldo is a slacker defensively, he may run more than Messi, but thats only offensive runs, not defensive ones.

 

[Rassvet]

Ronaldo does better with a striker alongside him but could still be ok as a #9 for most teams. Messi can probably only play well as a false 9 with City, Barca, and Spain

 

[Morten]

But he's capable of more moments of genius on his own compared to CR7. Both are moments players at this stage of their career.

I was reading how CR7 has 90,000 minutes of top-level football and Messi 80,000 minutes of top-level football under his legs.

Even a physical freak like LBJ only has 50,000 minutes. And if you ask any top level athlete, the legs go first...so it's a miracle these 2 have lasted for like 15+ years.

You have to be blessed with good genes to last that long as an attacker, without too many significant injuries.

 

[KingLeo10]

Ronaldo does better with a striker alongside him but could still be ok as a #9 for most teams. Messi can probably only play well as a false 9 with City, Barca, and Spain

You're really pushing this idea of Messi being a system player from a sample size of 8 games, a couple of which he's been injured for and subbed out.

Hasn't gotten going in the league, but he's doing good (not great) in the CL.

 

[feggydinho]

Who are these "people" you are talking about? Everyone knows Ronaldo is a slacker defensively, he may run more than Messi, but thats only offensive runs, not defensive ones.

Don't agree, Ronaldo also presses more than Messi and I don't notice him strolling as often as Messi does. He pressed very well today even when they were loosing

 

[Horatio]

Who are these "people" you are talking about? Everyone knows Ronaldo is a slacker defensively, he may run more than Messi, but thats only offensive runs, not defensive ones.

There were definitely people that would go nuts with his defensive runs. I remember the comments "Messi would never do that" "Ronaldo works hard for the team"

 

[soul24rage]

Ronaldo does better with a striker alongside him but could still be ok as a #9 for most teams. Messi can probably only play well as a false 9 with City, Barca, and Spain

You can compensate Messi playing as a false 9 if you have a midfielder in the profile of Havertz who can run into the #9 space when Messi drops deep.

Both CR and Messi needs a 9 to bring the best out of them.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

You have to be blessed with good genes to last that long as an attacker, without too many significant injuries.

Messi definitely very lucky, because he took a lot of tackles in his career. Very very lucky.

 

[JamDav1982]

Messi and Ronaldo have teams giving up more for them than ever before... and it hasnt been great for their clubs recently despite them getting in amongst the goals.

Their legs have declined as much as do for other players their age but teams keep giving up more and more to allow them to still perform.

 

[KingLeo10]

Messi definitely very lucky, because he took a lot of tackles in his career. Very very lucky.

Not lucky, I think Messi is the most durable footballer of all time probably. Man is crazy strong in his legs, core because he basically dribbled into and past defenders from 06-2019.

CR7, despite being a physical specimen, has played mostly non-contact football since 2014-2015ish (when he stopped dribbling and became an elite poacher/finisher). I think this was a smart move and may also be part of why he ultimately lasts longer.

 

[feggydinho]

Don't agree, Ronaldo also presses more than Messi and I don't notice him strolling as often as Messi does. He pressed very well today even when they were loosing

Turns out Messi has more tackles and interceptions than Ronaldo on whoScored. so his main flaw is the strolling part

 

[Rassvet]

You're really pushing this idea of Messi being a system player from a sample size of 8 games, a couple of which he's been injured for and subbed out.

Hasn't gotten going in the league, but he's doing good (not great) in the CL.

I'm basing it more on how I see the best 4 teams in the world playing now: EPL big three and Bayern. Apart from City possibly, none play a style that I could see the current version of Messi thriving in.

 

[Morten]

Not lucky, I think Messi is the most durable footballer of all time probably. Man is crazy strong in his legs, core because he basically dribbled into and past defenders from 06-2019.

CR7, despite being a physical specimen, has played mostly non-contact football since 2014-2015ish (when he stopped dribbling and became an elite poacher/finisher). I think this was a smart move and may also be part of why he ultimately lasts longer.

Well, you want to be strong, but too much muscle mass can lead to injuries actually, so its not just about that.

Ronaldo survived tackles and challenges very well for the 10 years or so he was more of a dribbler, could probably deal with it well now too, if he was still a great dribbler, though its more demanding as you age, of course.

 

[KingLeo10]

Turns out Messi has more tackles and interceptions than Ronaldo on whoScored. so his main flaw is the strolling part

The strolling thing is blown out of proportion because Messi was dumb enough to do this v AM and Roma in the CL KOs (only thing I really hate him for). It was a bad look to run his usual amount or lower in a CL KO tie where we needed 110% from him.

Otherwise, CR7 runs on average 1-1.25 KM more than Messi. It's not like it's 11-12 KM v 7-8 KM. More like 8-9 v 7-8.