Messi vs. Ronaldo- Who is the BEST?

Ah, the debate of all debates in soccer- Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the world’s greatest soccer players, but which one is the best?
This is a rivalry that may not be matched again! It is tough question to answer when both are scoring consecutively each game and breaking world records. So let’s compare and break it down…

Messi has scored 458 goals in his career and Ronaldo has scored 491 goals in his career. In 2014-2015, Messi has averaged a goal every 87 minutes, playing 5,060 minutes throughout all competitions.

Ronaldo has averaged a goal every 77 minutes, playing 4,689 minutes. Messi is the first soccer player ever to score consecutively against all teams in a professional league. Ronaldo is the first player to score in every minute of a game.

On the other hand, both Messi and Ronaldo are the only soccer players in the world to have scored 60+ goals in all competitions in two seasons. They have left their own individual stamp on soccer history.

In other words, if you hadn’t already noticed, they’re both beasts.

People will always have a view, however, I think Lionel Messi is the better player. There, I said it!

At 24, Messi is taking over soccer with his countless goals and untold skill. Messi has won the most coveted prize, the Ballon d’Or, on three consecutive occasions, while Ronaldo has only won it one time in 2008.

According to Football Speak, Messi has scored 50 goals from 194 shots in La Liga this season which gives him a 25% conversion rate. That’s one-in-four chances! Ronaldo has scored 45 goals from 247 shots which works out to be 18%. Plus, Messi has played in more minutes than Ronaldo has. He ranks fourth in most minutes played, while Ronaldo falls five spots lower at ninth.

Also, how can you forget the 73 goals Messi scored for Barcelona this season! Even one of Ronaldo’s teammates, Fernando Gago, agrees that Messi is the best as he states,

“For me, the best in the world is Messi because of the way he plays, moves with the ball and changes matches, Messi has incredible ability and I love the way that he plays.”

And that’s how the cookie crumbles folks…

But hey, don’t sweat it Ronaldo. If this were a debate on looks you’d be winning the gold! 😉

 

But seriously… Look at that face! 😍 (SWOON.)

-Briana

No, No Neymar! Suspended for Two More Games

Brazil will be without it’s most popular player (and captain) Neymar, for another two games.

Neymar was suspended for four games on June 17th following a 1-0 loss to Colombia. There were a couple things that led to his suspension.

1. Received a yellow card for a handball after a blocked attempt on goal

2. Kicked the ball at opponent Pablo Armero

3. Tried to headbutt opponent Jeison Murillo, receiving a red card

4. Supposedly verbally abused referee after the game heading into the dressing room tunnel

Well, I guess that will do it.

Neymar was originally suspended two games, until news broke about the verbal abuse. Brazil went on to play Venezuela and won 2-1. They then lost 4-3 to Paraguay thus knocking them out of the tournament.

This is important because with the loss, Neymar has only sat out two games. The other two games will carry over to the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. 

What a loss for Brazil.

However, if you need Neymar back for a game, this match up with Argentina on November 17th would be the one. Hint, Hint: Messi.

Okay Neymar… Please keep your hands, feet, head and words to yourself. We want to see you on the field in November!

– Paige