Is Ronaldo the best in the world?

[Mayo Red]

Has to be Messi, end of story!! Have seen both of them play live aswell and no comparison. While Ronaldo is supremely talented, his arrogance and attitude are all wrong. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with confidence in your ability but he's bought into his own myth too much.

Messi on the other hand, aswell as being such a fantastically gifted footballer is driven, determined and above all humble with it all. Messi is also far more of a team player and doesn't throw his rattle out of the pram when things are not going his way!!

[smasher]

The difference between Messi and 'pout' was never more obvious than last Wed. night. When Messi was fouled he got up and got on with the the game whereas Ronaldo moaned and consistently checked for camera angles to put on the appropriate pout.

[Rovers fan]

1. messi(marginally ahead of iniesta)
2. Iniesta
3. ronaldo
4. torres
5. xavi

Funny that all of a sudden people think Iniesta is one of the best players in the world (I've been saying it for a while...)

[gustavo]

The difference between Messi and 'pout' was never more obvious than last Wed. night. When Messi was fouled he got up and got on with the the game whereas Ronaldo moaned and consistently checked for camera angles to put on the appropriate pout.

He's still a class player IMO and against any other team in the world he'd probably have way more of a contribution , I thought he done as welll as his other team-mates anyway

[DmanDmythDledge]

The difference between Messi and 'pout' was never more obvious than last Wed. night. When Messi was fouled he got up and got on with the the game whereas Ronaldo moaned and consistently checked for camera angles to put on the appropriate pout.

You obviously missed Messi diving in the box and waving his hands in the air while he was still on the ground then.

[Predator]

You obviously missed Messi diving in the box and waving his hands in the air while he was still on the ground then.

United fan, by any chance? :P

I've always admired Messi more than Ronaldo. I can't warm to Ronaldo because of his consistent antics and dishonest play. He produces moments of brilliance, yes, but they are, in my opinion, overshadowed by his consistently disgusting attitude on the pitch.

George Best was a superb player. He played in a time when you had to take knocks and get on with the game - rise above the robust challenges and forcibly display your talent. Ronaldo is playing football in a time when the rules have been tightened to a point where it's borderline ridiculous. Ronaldo simply goes down too easily and effectively cheats and complains where there is no cause for complaint. He's not the best in the world. A player like Gerrard would be closer to being the best. He's integral to Liverpool and is much more complete than Ronaldo and Messi are. Just because you can run with the ball and beat men doesn't make you the greatest.

[gustavo]

. A player like Gerrard would be closer to being the best. He's integral to Liverpool and is much more complete than Ronaldo and Messi are. Just because you can run with the ball and beat men doesn't make you the greatest.

[Predator]

Touché, Gerrard has been known to dive. Most players now do, which is sad.

But my point is that Gerrard is a more complete player and as such more deserving of a title of 'best in the world'. Defenders are often over-looked too.

[gustavo]

Touché, Gerrard has been known to dive. Most players now do, which is sad.

But my point is that Gerrard is a more complete player and as such more deserving of a title of 'best in the world'. Defenders are often over-looked too.

Fair enough , i was just pointing out that Gerrard has his antics too , and that ability wise I think himself and C. Ronaldo would be similar

[DeLorean]

My God I can't believe I'm entering into this an hour and half before Ireland's biggest match since possibly the 2002WC but...Predator-how can you call Gerrard the most complete player...is it because he filled in at right back after getting torn asunder in midfield against Milan or is it because it took Liverpool about ten yrs to finally find the position where he does his best work. They went season after season having to play two holding midfielders with him just to compensate for how incomplete he actually is. By the way I think he's a really good player in his current position but most complete, you're havin a laugh.

[Predator]

My God I can't believe I'm entering into this an hour and half before Ireland's biggest match since possibly the 2002WC but...Predator-how can you call Gerrard the most complete player...is it because he filled in at right back after getting torn asunder in midfield against Milan or is it because it took Liverpool about ten yrs to finally find the position where he does his best work. They went season after season having to play two holding midfielders with him just to compensate for how incomplete he actually is. By the way I think he's a really good player in his current position but most complete, you're havin a laugh.

More complete, not most.

[DeLorean]

More complete, not most.

How though? It only matters whether a player is complete in their particular role and Messi is on another planet to Gerrard in that regard, in my opinion obviously but would suggest that's the general consensus. John O'Shea is more 'complete' than any of them!!

[Predator]

How though? It only matters whether a player is complete in their particular role and Messi is on another planet to Gerrard in that regard, in my opinion obviously but would suggest that's the general consensus. John O'Shea is more 'complete' than any of them!!

Haha yeah! John O'Shea is the man!

Like you said, it's all opinion. From your point of view, you are probably right. In his particular position, Messi is twice the player Gerrard is in his, but is it fair to cross compare that way? I like to think of 'complete' as how consistently and ably a player contributes to a team through a season (or seasons). What do you think? Is that reasonable?

[DeLorean]

is it fair to cross compare that way?

Probably not. I don't think it serves much purpose.

I like to think of 'complete' as how consistently and ably a player contributes to a team through a season (or seasons). What do you think? Is that reasonable?

Don't know. Van Nistelrooy used contribute pretty much every game for United and scored lots of goals in the small games and vital goals is the big ones. Is he complete? As box type centre forwards go he is but as a player probably not. Like I say I think it's more important to be complete in your own role, which Messi is. Gerrard is a million times closer to being complete now, just off the front man, than he was in centre mid/right mid. I suppose being more complete doesn't necessarily make you better or more effective. Gerrard is definitely as important to Liverpool as Messi is to Barca but that's mainly because Barca are a lot better than Liverpool.

[Predator]

Don't know. Van Nistelrooy used contribute pretty much every game for United and scored lots of goals in the small games and vital goals is the big ones. Is he complete? As box type centre forwards go he is but as a player probably not. Like I say I think it's more important to be complete in your own role, which Messi is. Gerrard is a million times closer to being complete now, just off the front man, than he was in centre mid/right mid. I suppose being more complete doesn't necessarily make you better or more effective. Gerrard is definitely as important to Liverpool as Messi is to Barca but that's mainly because Barca are a lot better than Liverpool.

Didn't Van Nistelrooy win the PFA Player of the year in 2002?

I do understand what you're saying, but the main thrust of my point was that the accolade of 'best in the world' should go to player who demonstrates 'completeness' of the nature which I described. Again however, I don't like getting myself drawn into these discussions, as it is, as always only an opinion! Ronaldo scored loads of goals for United this season and the last, which I suppose was part of the reason he was nominated. There I can have no complaints, I just don't like him

[DeLorean]

Didn't Van Nistelrooy win the PFA Player of the year in 2002?

Yep

I do understand what you're saying, but the main thrust of my point was that the accolade of 'best in the world' should go to player who demonstrates 'completeness' of the nature which I described. Again however, I don't like getting myself drawn into these discussions, as it is, as always only an opinion! Ronaldo scored loads of goals for United this season and the last, which I suppose was part of the reason he was nominated. There I can have no complaints, I just don't like him

Strange thing is if Ronaldo had done a bit of damage in Rome and United won he would possibly have pipped Messi to World player of the year, after Giggs and Gerrard won the English awards. Like you say it's all opinions...and in Giggs' case, sentiments.

[cheifo]

How many players can get €26 million from a Club for NOT signing for them.Don't know if these reports are true or not but if they are then Real are the dumbest Club ever.

[hunt4the]

Gerrard is definitely as important to Liverpool as Messi is to Barca but that's mainly because Barca are a lot better than Liverpool.

I have to disagree, Barca were made to look world beaters just by waltzing through uniteds terrible midfield pairing, Chelsea who should have beaten Barca but for some terrible refereeing should and I think Liverpool would have played in a similar fashion and could beat Barca on their day no problem, as could united for that matter if they toughened up in the midfield.

[DeLorean]

Ya I know Liverpool would give Barca a good game if not beat them. Barca have far better players though but Liverpool are a rusty spanner that shouldn't be underestimated.

I think it's fair to say that Barca are World beaters anyway. They are the best club team in the world at the moment.

[Tipp Top]

Liverpool wouldnt be able to live with Barcelona at all Barca are a step above everybody at the moment and liverpool dont have as near the quality of players that chelsea had Messi is without doubt the best in the world at present.