The book of football is incomplete without two names: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Not just the fans, but the bettors are also crazy after these two players.
Since their arrival, these two icons have been dominating the sport with ease, setting new standards, winning titles, and shattering records. Standing and performing on the field for decades, they have experienced many highs and lows. Are you a fan of both the stars? So, why don't you join us to explore Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's finest years?
Throughout their careers, these two stars dominated football. Whether it was dragging their teams to trophies and awards, or fighting over the Ballon Dor, it didn't matter who Messi and Ronaldo played for, they were the best.
Their Ballon Dor journey together was a massive one as they shared the stage together for the better part of two decades and as the award ceremony approached, the odds for either of these two to win the Ballon Dor were always as low as evens (1/1 or 2.00). If you are unaware of what Evens means, AskGamblers did an informative page that explained gambling odds and their meanings that players, both new and old, can learn from.
Best Years of Lionel Messi
As a 22/23-year-old, Messi was already being called one of the best players of all time and in the lead-up to the Champions League final against Manchester United, all the eyes were on him which showed how above and beyond he was compared to everyone else in the world.
2014-15
Want to witness Lionel Messi's finest moments? Watch him play during the 2014–2015 campaign. Joining hands with the iconic players Neymar, and Luis Suarez, he formed the MSN trio. It was a group popular for its lethal attacking gameplay.
During this season, we saw a more attacking and tactical Messi. His out-of-the-box goal against Bayern Munich is still fresh in every fan's heart. Messi pulled Barcelona to win against Juventus in the Champions League final, which is an iconic moment in the book of Football.
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Club stats: 58 goals, 57 appearances, 5,061 minutes, 27 assists
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Trophies: LaLiga, UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey
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International stats: 10 appearances, 825 minutes, 4 goals, 4 assists
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Ballon d'Or finish: First
2011–2012
Hands down! You are definitely not a Messi fan if you have not witnessed this performance in the 2011–2012 season. This is the season when Messi unlocked his beast mode. Showcasing his amazing skills, Messi scored an incredible 91 goals, showing his true class to the world. That's not all. His performances in La Liga, the Champions League, and other international events were enough to announce his arrival as a legend.
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Club statistics: 73 goals, 30 assists, 5,221 minutes, and 60 appearances
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Trophies: Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup
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International statistics: 810 minutes, 9 goals, 4 assists, and 9 appearances
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Ballon d'Or finish: First
Best Years of Christiano Ronaldo
2014-15
Cristiano Ronaldo played like a Football god during this 2014-15 venture. Showing his skills in the Real Madrid team, Ronaldo delivered a blend of performance and consistency. He played like a beast both in domestic and European tournaments. He turned out to be the critical thread that connected his team and victory. One of the main highlights of this season was his outstanding five-goal performance in a single La Liga match against Granada.
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Club statistics: 4,715 minutes, 61 goals, 22 assists, and 54 appearances
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Awards: FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup
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International statistics: 540 minutes, 6 appearances, 5 goals, 1 assist
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Ballon d'Or finish: Second
2011–2012
The 2011-2012 years showed us the peak of Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid. He played the role of a trump card pulling his team to the La Liga title. Performing exceptionally on the field, breaking records, and showcasing his dominance, it was during this season Ronaldo started his walk as a legend. Under Ronaldo's leadership, every match was intense. What the fans remember is Ronaldo's game-winning goal in the El Clásico versus Barcelona at Camp Nou. This goal pulled the La Liga title towards Real Madrid.
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Club statistics: 60 goals, 5,180 minutes, 55 appearances, and 15 assists
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Awards: La Liga, Spanish Supercopa
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International statistics: 1,109 minutes, 7 goals, 3 assists, 13 appearances
Messi vs Ronaldo
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are legends of Football. With firm dedication, immense talent, and a lot of hard work, both the players proved their worth. While Messi is popular for his amazing creativity and playmaking, Ronaldo’s athleticism, talent, and leadership shine through.
Conclusion
When it comes to Football, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are at the apex. Their finest years demonstrate their distinct genius, but what really defines them is their continuous supremacy over two decades. So, if you are a true Football fan, you will definitely enjoy the game of both these players. Don't choose sides, just watch the two of the greatest players of all time reinvent the beautiful game.