Who is the best soccer player?
You are witnessing arguably the two best players in the history of soccer. Soccer has had its greatest players live on with the title as "the best". In the current era of soccer, two greats have dominated the sport - Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi. The two have won everything for their clubs and every individual award. Over the past decade, the World's Best Player award has been won by these two players. No other player has won it since. Despite Ronaldo and Messi's ages, 33 and 30, respectively, they show no signs of slowing down compared to other legends of the game. There can only be one #1 and which of them is it? Ronaldo or Messi?
Team Messi
According to the stats, Messi is better. Both Ronaldo and Messi have impressive stats, but Messi has achieved what Ronaldo has achieved and in much less time. Messi may have a few less goals but not by much. The amount of games that Ronaldo has in hand means that Messi has the ability to surpass his stats by a margin when the number of games are equal.
Messi is the most valuable player of his club Barcelona. Messi's effectiveness on the field puts him at a high position. He is also a better team player. Not only is he an incredible scorer and gifted playmaker, he also makes everyone around him a better player. He has more assists and key passes than Ronaldo. He also has great tactical intelligence, finding the free space to move into, receiving the ball and then laying it off to a team-mate, to build attacks.
Team Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s combination of physical and technical abilities just makes him a better athlete. He’s very hard to push off the ball and his combination of incredible pace, great dribbling and powerful shooting destroys other teams. He is simply a better athlete than Messi.
Messi has won more trophies since he plays for a better team, not because he is a better player than Ronaldo. Throughout Ronaldo's entire career he has proven himself at the top level in three different leagues compared to Messi's, one. Messi had help throughout his career and Ronaldo proved to the world that he is the best by himself.
Ronaldo’s international career puts him on a higher level than Messi. Ronaldo has won an international trophy and Messi has lost in every final.
So who is the best? Ronaldo or Messi? On one side, Messi is a better team player and simply more talented. On the other hand, Ronaldo is more complete with a better international career. Stats don't lie and Messi is proven to be better.