The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has been one of the most never-ending topics for soccer fans all around the world. Although for a certain part of the fanbase, Lionel Messi is clear in the conversation following his World Cup win last month.
However, a rivalry that is going on for almost two decades now can’t really be set by one trophy. Cristiano however, has let himself go about this conversation, especially in 2011.
The one common trait these two men have in them is their unbelievable ability to score goals. Other than that, they are quite different types of players. Be it in terms of playing style or approaching a game. In terms of nature, they are different as well. Cristiano is naturally the more aggressive type while Leo has a much calmer approach.
Both Messi and Cristiano are at the twilight end of their respective careers, nearing their 36th and 38th birthdays. Both of them had a taste of the biggest stage in 2007. 22-year-old Ronaldo and 20-year-old Messi were shortlisted in the Ballon d’Or top three. AC Milan’s Kaka deservingly won it, leaving the future goal machines to win the second and third spots.
Journalists always put up provocative questions to players and managers regarding debatable topics. Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry has always been under debate and journalists never left an opportunity to ask these questions. And Cristiano Ronaldo mostly gives away something to them.
Throughout the years Ronaldo has given so many statements about this topic and it’s mostly declaring him as the best. It all started in 2008 when he actually became the best player in the world after having a fantastic season with Manchester United and winning the Ballon d’Or.
Was Cristiano Ronaldo better than Lionel Messi in 2011?
Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for a world record fee of $99 million from Manchester United. Lionel Messi was already playing for Barcelona, and things just couldn’t have been better for an eternal rivalry. However, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t have a good start in the Spanish Capital in terms of his rivalry with Lionel Messi.
In 2011, a frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo gave away the most controversial comment on their rivalry. In a post-match interview, he said, “I am not going to answer the question. Everyone already knows I’m better than Messi.” This was the top news on every Spanish media outlet.
However, the real question now is, was Ronaldo really better than Messi in 2011? In terms of goals, Ronaldo scored 53 for the club and 7 for Portugal making it 60. Messi on the other hand scored 55 for Barcelona and 4 for Argentina, taking the tally to 59. Messi assisted 35 times in comparison to Ronaldo’s 17 in 2011.
In terms of individual success, Lionel Messi looks like the superior one with 18 more assists. And in terms of trophies, Barcelona was supreme in 2011. They won 5 trophies, including La Liga and the Champions League. And expectedly so, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or in 2011 as well.
Although, with the passing of time Ronaldo has stopped releasing statements like those and shares a good on-and-off-the-pitch relationship with the Argentine veteran, which was also evident in their potential last meeting in Riyadh. And without any doubt, this rivalry will be looked upon like a fairytale for the upcoming generation of soccer fans.