It's a question that has probably been asked a billion and one times. Who is better; Messi or Ronaldo? It's a question I've always found impossible to answer. It's the modern day 'Pele or Maradona' or 'Beckenbauer or Cruyff'? They are the two best players in the world right now without a shadow of doubt. But they are two completely different players and besides, how do you define better? The most entertaining? Whoever scores the most? Do you use figures and stats or simply what you see on your television screen? But leaving all that aside, I think this weekend has shown me who I would rather have in my team.
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Cristiano was devastating at times against Almería, slicing through their defence with superhuman ease. He set up Sergio Ramos' header with instant one-touch control and a wonderfully flighted cross. He won a penalty with a fantastic burst of pace and he scored the fourth with a superbly timed run. All this only two games into coming back from two months out injured. But whilst what happened after he missed his penalty is all too easy to condemn, I think it has shown Real Madrid an element of Ronaldo's personality that they were perhaps unaware of before. Or at least they turned a blind eye to it.
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His undeterred drive for individual success before all else. I would never criticise him for that, because it's exactly what has got him where he is. Yet ever since I saw him fall to the ground after John Terry had missed the penalty which handed Man Utd the 2008 Champions League, in an ever so slightly disrespectful show of self-pity having missed his own, it's been very clear exactly where Ronaldos loyalties lie. But no manager will ever complain when he's banging in 45 goals a season and leading his team to league and Champions League glory. Neither will his teammates complain. They are all after the same thing, and who wouldn't want Cristiano in their side?
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But then you have Lionel Messi. Equally devastating, but willing to give up a chance to score so that someone else can take the glory. That shy smile when he has just tucked away another of his wondergoals, or just been presented with another trophy. If he doesn't score or even if he doesn't play well, this all plays second fiddle to team success. As long as Barcelona are winning. It's that humble attitude; his unease at being the centre of attention; that look of shock when he is given man-of-the-match. It just makes me warm to Messi more than Ronaldo, and simply for these reasons (because in terms of trophies and personal gongs they've both won it all) I would rather have him in my team. If I had to choose of course.