Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Two of the greatest footballers of the generation, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had been a news talk since the last decade. It all started when Brazil's Ricardo Kaka was granted with the Golden ball award of 2007. In the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo was adjusted to make the 2nd position with 277 points contrast Messi's 255 points . And in the same year, they were again competed against Kaka for the FIFA World Player of the Year. This time it was the opportunity for Messi to  win the second position with 504 points(Ronaldo had 426 points).They met each other on the grounds in the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League semi finals. Although Ronaldo missed a penalty opportunity, The match was favored Ronaldo's Manchester United with Paul Scholes goal. Later that year Ronaldo won the Golden ball award. The 2009 UEFA Champions League Final was between Messi's Barcelona and Ronaldo's Manchester United. This match once again promoted fan rivalry and the match favored Barcelona.  

Career

Ronaldo began his youth career from the year 1992 onwards playing for Andorinha. After 3 year performance Ronaldo moved to Nacional and later to Sporting CP. He played in the Portugal U15, U17, U20 and U21 teams before getting opportunity to play for Portugal National team in 2003. Ronaldo made his senior professional club entry by playing for Sporting CP B2 and Sporting CP25. Impressed by his performance, Ronaldo was invited to Manchester United and became on of the vital part of the team. Later in the year 2009, Ronaldo was hired by Real Madrid. CR7 was exceptional in Club footballs blasting a total of 398 goals from 515 appearances. Ronaldo had a record of 81 goals for Portugal team. Along with the goal records, Christiano Ronaldo is the first player to win four European Golden Shoes. In his career, Ronaldo won 26 trophies including 5 UEFA Champions League and a UEFA European Championship.

Messi's youth career debut was in the year 1994 with Newell's Old Boys. Later he was invited to Barcelona and began his career with Barcelona senior team from 2004 onwards. Messi made his International career debut on the year 2005 for Argentina. Due to his exceptional form with Barcelona, Messi was invited to join with Inter Milan, but he refused the offer. In the following years, Messi himself became one of the most dominated footballers in the World. Although he had an exceptional Club career, Messi was criticized for his ordinary performance for his National team. Till now with his 669 Club match appearances, Messi scored  563 goals. In contrast, for Argentina, Messi shaken the net 80 times in 147 appearances.

Records

Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shares the record of Most FIFA Ballons d'Or(Golden Ball) award with 5 times, and Messi is having the most consecutive times of 4. Along with this, the duos shares the record of Most appearances in the FIFPro World XI(11 Times). Messi won the Ballons d'Or award in his 23 and 24 age which makes him youngest to win. In the year 2012 Messi scored 91 goals and entered into the Guinness World Record as the top goal scorer. His 73 goals in the 2011-12 club season is the highest by any player. In the same year Messi scored 33 goals from 21 matches and secured the record of Longest Goal scoring run in a domestic league. Lionel Messi has won 2 FIFA Club World Cup Final Most Valuable Player award which is highest by a player. Along with these world records, Messi has created a lot of team records for Argentina and Barcelona.

Christiano Ronaldo won 5 World Soccer Player of the Year awards and highest in the category. Ronaldo won 4 FIFA Club World Cup or Intercontinental trophies and shares the record with Toni Kroos. Along with Pele, Ronaldo shares the record of Top goalscorer in the history of FIFA Club World Cup which is 7. Christiano is the only player to  score in 7 consecutive major international tournaments. He is also the first footballer to surpass 40 goals in professional league for back to back seasons. Ronaldo's 50 goal performances in 6 seasons and 7 consecutive calendar years are also a record.  

Skills

Ronaldo is a right footed footballer and uses his left  feet in some finishing situations. Messi's strength relies in his left foot and we have seen him shaking the nets with that foot. Messi was initially placed in the right side of the attack but later shifted to center. Messi's piledrivers was vital in one on one situations. Messi prefers to finish the goal with his skills whereas Ronaldo uses his absolute strength. Considering the head goals, Ronaldo is the best with his 6feet tall where as Messi's 5feet 4 inch physique doesn't favors the technique. Christiano Ronaldo is having a great variation in his free kick goals. His curving shots were please to every viewers eyes. Messi's free kicks were all about skill and savage force. Dribbling skills favors Messi. He is having great techniques, quick feets and balance than Christiano Ronaldo.But Ronaldo's immense control over the ball helps him to surpass the defenders.

Personal Life

Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987 at Rosario, Argentina. His father Jorge Messi was a steel factory manager and mother Celia Cuccittini was working in a magnet manufacturing shop. His keen interest in football made him part of some junior teams. But Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency and faced a threat to his football career. But later all the expenses was handled by Barcelona by hiring him to their junior team.  Messi's career witnessed a amazing growth at their. In 2009 Messi revealed his relationship with Antonella Roccuzzo. They have 3 children's hiago (born 2012), Mateo (born 2015) and Ciro (born 2018). He is having Amazing family commitments. As a representation of love towards his mother, Messi tattooed her face in his left shoulder. Messi was part of many charitable efforts. He is contributing good financial aid for UNICEF also a good will ambassador of the organisation. Leo Messi foundation is yet another charity contribution from him.

Cristiano Ronaldo was born on 5th February 1985 at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Ronaldo's mother,  Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro is a cook and Father José Dinis Aveiro, is a municipal gardener. Ronaldo is having a one older brother 2 older sisters. In his young age, Ronaldo given up his education to only concentrate on football. But he was suffered with racing heart and his football career was in under threat. But luckily, Ronaldo healed from this quickly and became one of the crucial part of world football. Ronaldo had a hidden relationship and have 3 childrens. He was announced the birth of first child on 2010 and later in 2017 he was gifted with a twins. In the same year his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez gave birth to their daughter. He had a relationship with Russian model Irina Shayk and later they breakup on 2015. Ronaldo is actively participating in the philanthropy works. In 2011, Ronaldo auctioned his golden boot to contribute education system for Gaza's effected children's.  He is the artist ambassador of Save the Children.