One is the epitome of the modern athlete — streamlined to perfection, a tense raw energy coupled with the strength and balance of a Rudolf Nureyev. The other, though not physically imposing, seems to grow in stature on the turf with logic defying control, the ball seemingly magnetised to his feet.
Who is better — the magician from Madeira or the tick from La Bajada? Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? At various points in their still blooming careers, the answer has oscillated one to another with the definitive date, as of this moment, still May 27, 09. Before then, the final of the 2009 UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo was higher in the pecking order. Ninety minutes later, Messi, who had scored the winner in the 70th minute with a rare header, had not only eclipsed the Portuguese wizard but also put an end to Ronaldinho’s Barcelona era, a year after the Brazilian’s acrimonious departure from the Nou Camp for San Siro.
Named after American actor and President Ronald Reagan, (an irony never lost on scribes and opposition defenders witness to his theatrical falls at the slightest contact) Ronaldo first caught the eye of talent scouts and Sir Alex Ferguson with his flashy displays of dazzling dribbling for Sporting Lisbon. Man United signed up the 18-year-old winger for £12.3 million to operate on the right-flank, just vacated by David Beckham. Thrust straight into the spotlight, Sir Alex gave Ronaldo United’s famed number 7 jersey — previously worn by the legends George Best, Eric Cantona and Beckham.
Pacy, athletic and with a vast array skills and moves, Ronaldo made an impact straight away, though for the first few years he came under criticism for selfish play and not knowing when to release the ball. On the national team, Ronaldo played with members of Portugal’s golden generation including stars like Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Pauleta, and reached the final of Euro2004, Portugal. Two years later, at the World Cup quarters in Germany, when Portugal squared off against England, Ronaldo played a key role in United teammate Wayne Rooney’s sending off and was vilified in the British tabloids.
Despite rumours of his impending departure from Old Trafford, Ronaldo came back a changed man and embarked on the most successful three years of his career. He inspired the Red Devils to three straight EPL titles, the Champions League and led them to the brink of back-to-back European crowns. In 2007 he scored 23 goals, then an astounding 42 the next year and 26 more to take him to that final in Rome. Having long aspired to playing in the Bernabeu, he finally got his chance when Real Madrid splurged a world record £82 million transfer fee in the summer — part of euro-250 million makeover which failed to bring any silverware.
Ronaldo took time to settle, not least because of injury woes, but ended the season with an impressive tally of 33 goals in 35 matches. However, at Real second place is as good as relegation and two El Clasico defeats is not something pampered fans accept. Ronaldo’s star has fallen this last year. Indifferent form in the crimson of the Portugal national team resulted in not a single goal in their World Cup qualifying campaign, forcing Portugal to sneak in through the back door via a European playoff win over Hungary.
Lionel Messi’s own national team form may not be spectacular with just 4 goals in their 18 match qualifier campaign which saw the Albiceleste grab the final automatic berth from South America. However, his performances since winning the Champions League final in Rome have been from another planet. Last season he totalled 47 goals in 53 matches and led Barcelona to their second La Liga title on the trot, a year after scoring 38 goals in 51 matches, fulfilling the potential he first displayed when the Catalan club spotted his exceptional talent at the age of 13. Messi, a product of the famed La Masia youth academy, is revered in Barcelona more than the man whose style of play he most resembles — Argentina coach Diego Maradona.
The most mesmerising talent since his national team coach, Messi has his work cut out for him if he wants to join the pantheon of all time greats, Maradona, Pele and Beckenbauer; bring home the World Cup on July 11th.
Ronaldo also knows what needs be done — a World Cup title can mean football immortality. The football galaxy is agleam with fading stars who won it all but failed to win a World Cup — the most recent being Samba wizard, Ronaldinho.
Messi and Ronaldo have shared the past two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and their battle to become this generation’s greatest will be riveting. To add to the drama, if either of them slip up, 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, Kaka, who also won the World Cup as a rookie in 2002, is ready to usurp both.