Are Messi & Ronaldo world beaters?

[Nige]

After listening and reading head line after head line about the likes of Messi and Ronaldo breaking all the records in Spain. Then most recently CR7 hitting his third hat trick in a row at the weekend I do find my self wondering, Are they really world beaters or is it a case of La Liga turning into the SPL??

Now don't get me wrong both Messi and Ronaldo are real talents, they are world class. But are they as good as they are made out to be? Neither have won the world cup, neither have emulated on the big stage like Maradona or Eusebio? And have never carried their national side to glory like Pele.

So does their weekly exploits go down to real talent, real world class footballing skills like no other? Or are they merely a big fish in a little pond. Picking off the weaker minnows. Is La Liga turning into the Spanish version of the Scottish Premier?
With the Germans winning big on both World and Club level it makes me wonder?

And does the smoke screen of the easy paced La Liga mean the best player in the world could actually not be Messi or Ronaldo but a player the likes of Diego Costa, Eden Hazard or Yaya Toure? who week in week out are playing at a higher level of competition?

It is so very, very hard to judge and cross reference league strengths. But the PL does have more depth. The only real test for us to visible see is in the Champions League. So time will tell this season to see if Diego Costa can surpass his La Liga success with Chelsea or if the two World beaters from Spain can push the two Spainish Giants to the CL final?

I for one would like to see if CR7 and Messi could cut the mustard in the English Leagues today. I know Ronaldo has done so and with success but he was never thought of as the best player in the world until his first season with Real Madrid (Suggestions of La Liga being favoured amongst the voting system). In his days at Man Utd he was more a great player, a great talent plying his trade amongst a great Man Utd team playing with more great players in the PL. Now six seasons on the English Premiership has more competition at the top, more teams with more strength, and a more daunting place to play a game than when Ronaldo graced Old Trafford. Manchester United's fall from grace speaks volumes.

I think this is a question that will truly never be answered and will be very debatable. But in my eyes the best players in world football will always be Pele and Maradona, who not only broke all the records club level but also at the very top on the biggest stage of the world Cup. Until CR7 or Messi dazzle amongst the worlds best 32 and fire their national side to world cup glory I think they will always be a patch off the best.

 

[Saddlerrad]

It would be awesome if Ronaldo and Messi played in the premier league, but they won't - certainly not Messi anyway. They are definetely a couple of the best players to ever play football, probably alongside Pele and George Best. Nice article mate.

 

[TomWolvesFC]

As Saddler said, I'd like to see them both in the Premier League, but I can't see Messi ever leaving Barca, we can hope that Ronaldo makes a return one day though!