Sports Interpretor

Messi vs Ronaldo have always been a topic of polar opinion . No one could agree who among Messi and Ronaldo is best.

Qatar WC 2022 seems to have drawn the conclusion. After the early exit of Portugal. And the performance of Messi vs Croatia seems to put an stop to the debate .

The best footballer of the last 15 year have been shared between both Messi and Ronaldo for the most part. Ronaldo was best in 2008 winning the ballon d’or and then Messi winning back to back 4 ballon d’or (2009,2010,2011,2012).In 2012 Messi scored 91 goals. Highest ever in a big margin. At that time without debate Messi was way ahead of Ronaldo . But Ronaldo in classic Ronaldo style came back and won 2 back to back ballon d’or (2013,2014) . But Messi regained his Kingdom in 2015 . Where MSN( Messi-Neymar-Suarez) trio have decimated every defence and every team and went on to win the treble with Barca under the leadership of Messi . Messi won his 5th ballon d’or that year and it looked like there is no stopping Messi . However, Ronaldo and Real Madrid had different plan . They went on to win 2016,2017,2018 champions league under zidane and looked unstoppable during 2017 . Ronaldo also won ballon d’or in 2016,2017. At that time Messi and Ronaldo both were leveled at 5 ballon d’or . But Messi then went on to win some controversial 2019 and 2021 ballon d’or to make his tally to 7 and winning the duel.

Though Messi won more ballon d’or than Ronaldo but due to controversy regarding 2021 ballon d’or with lewandowski and having a very bad debut season with PSG and underwhelming club season with Barca . The 7 ballon d’or was not very well received like his previous award.

Ronaldo has more goals than Messi both club and country wise but Messi have more assist . Before 2021 Copa America win by Argentina. Ronaldo was put ahead considering his success with Portugal national team winning 2016 euro and UEFA Nations league . Whereas Messi was laughed at considering his back to back Copa america final loss against chili and taking retirement in 2016 and canceling retirement without missing any match where the whole situation seemed like it was done to avoid criticism. But all changed after Messi Won 2021 Copa america and Finelissima vs Italy. Leveling his inter ation achievement to Ronaldo.

Ronaldo at 37 years old having a good personal returning home season with Man UTD and Messi having horrendous debut season vs PSG had shifted the balance to Ronaldo . But the start of 2022-23 season is opposite where Ronaldo having hard personal time and Messi having one of his best start of the season . Now to decide who among Messi and Ronaldo is the best came down to World Cup 2022.

The start of World cup 2022 for Messi has With an upset 2-1 loss against KSA. But whole Argentina came back strongly against Poland and Mexico . Ronaldo on the other hand had a great start to the tournament by scoring in the first match vs Ghana and becoming the first player to score in 5 consecutive world cup. Portugal also qualified from the group stage.

But it went all downhill for Ronaldo as in the last group match Ronaldo was responsible for equalizing goal of Korea and when he was subbed off by coach Santos he was not happy about it and let his felling known . Coach was not happy about it and benched Ronaldo in round of 16 match vs Switzerland where portugal won and played like the super team they are by demolishing Switzerland 6-1 without Ronaldo. And Ronaldo replacement G.Ramos scoring hattrick in his World Cup debut and assisting though Ronaldo was subbed later except an offside goal he didn’t do much. He also left through the tunnel early without celebrating with the team . This decision of his can be seen from both sides of him being petty or him not taking away the spotlight from his teammates who played unreal . Argentina on the other hand won hard win over Australia .

In quarter Argentina defeated Nederlands in a thriller penalty shootout victory. But Portugal lost to Morocco by 1-0. Where Ronaldo was benched and came in last 30 min but could not make any significant difference . His crying exit from tunnel in world cup has touched every football fans heart.

Now In Semi final today Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 to reach the final. Messi Scored and assisted to take his side accros the line. With Ronaldo out of picture the dream final between Messi vs Ronaldo for the undisputed champion is not possible. And Messi reaching his 2nd final whether he wins or lose has gone ahead of Ronaldo in world cup performance . Though Ronaldo in the past has always made a comeback but this time it looks unlikely as Ronaldo is almost months away from becoming 38 where messi at 35 looks in great shape to take away all of Ronaldos record of highest goals and others

Messi vs Ronaldo has always been a topic of back and forth discussion but now at the twilight of there career and Messi going on to his 2nd world cup final it is safe to assume that. It is time to close the debate once for all. Unless Ronaldo does miracle comeback until than Messi has won the duel.