Messi versus Ronaldo: the country debate

by Sean Maslin

Messi. Ronaldo. Ronaldo. Messi.

There is perhaps no more bitter feud between two players in football. It is a rivalry that has bitterly divided football supporters as to who is the best, fueled by the pair almost playing a game of “Anything you can do I can do better.” It is a debate that stokes fire and passion and always seems to pique the interest of football supporters.

The question of Messi versus Ronaldo has always been an interesting one because they are at times so very similar . Given that they play similar positions on the pitch, have teams that are built around them, and that each has built their own fanbase and their own culture. Despite each playing for a team that does not particularly like each other they also have put their teams on their back to success.

Here is something that the two also have in common: neither has been particularly effective with their national teams. For all of the great moments and all of the fantastic goals both Messi and Ronaldo have come up with short for country.

Certainly there have been some moments of note for both. For Messi, the first that immediately comes to mind is the 2014 World Cup Finals appearance, two runners-up medals at the Copa America and one Olympic Gold Medal. Some will also point out Argentina’s victory during the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship as an example that he has produced at an international level.

For Ronaldo, the opportunities have not been as prevalent but there are certainly moments of note. The obvious one is finishing as runners-up at the 2004 European Championship. But Portugal has also finished in fourth place at the 2006 World Cup of which Ronaldo played a prominent part in.

Nonetheless, neither has been able to achieve the ultimate goal of a World Cup title or Copa America/European championship. For Messi, the issue seems to stem from injuries. During each of the last three major tournaments (2016 Copa America Centenario, 2015 Copa America, 2014 World Cup) Messi has had to deal with an array of injury issues. Although he has made each tournament, and in the case of the 2014 World Cup willed his squad to the Finals, he has never played a tournament during his prime at full strength.

For Ronaldo, the issue stems from squad depth. Although Portugal has had some exceptional talents come through their side, they have always felt like they were a player or two short from making a serious run at a competition. Ronaldo is an exceptional player, but so much of his work at Real Madrid revolves around having players around him that can set him up and offset some of the pressure. Aside from Nani or Joao Mountinho, Portugal’s depth is very thin which makes the squad at times a man one man party.

If there was a team that could shoulder the load for Ronaldo it would have been the 2004 Portugal side. Featuring Figo, Deco, a young Ricardo Carvalho, and Rui Costa Portugal had the right amount of talent and pieces around that could help push Ronaldo. But much like so many other opportunities for Portugal the squad just came up short against Greece in the final.

The same could be said Messi’s Argentina side at the 2015 Copa America. Despite Messi’s maladies Argentina boasted the likes of Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, and Diego Forlan. Although Messi is one of the greatest players in the world those are certainly some players that can pick up the load if he is not healthy.

Throughout the first half the crowd spontaneously erupted into chants of “MESSI! MESSI!” Their cries were answered at the start of the second half when Gerardo Martino elected to put on his attacking maestro.

Is their lack of a success at the international level a knock against their respective careers? It does seem unfortunate to compare club versus country. Whereas Messi and Ronaldo might spend hundreds of hours with their club teams during a season, with their national teams it might just be a handful of hours a year.

There isn’t the chance to develop a chemistry with one specific side like there is with the complete roster of a club, especially considering that Football Associations call in different rosters for each FIFA window. For a player like Messi that issue is compounded considering that he spent most of his youth career with Barcelona.

In terms of who will finally get to the top of the mountain first, it seems as if Messi has the best chance. Argentina are in the Quarterfinal stage of the Copa America Centenario with both Brazil and Uruguay already knocked out. With Messi and company facing Venezuela and, assuming they win, the United States it appears that they will have another chance at winning their first Copa America title since 1995.

Ronaldo and Portugal’s road to a European title is a bit more harrowing. Their draw in their first match against Iceland, coupled with Hungary’s victory over Austria, means that A Seleccao are in must-win mode. If they are able to dispatch Austria and Hungary and advance out of Group F they will likely face Spain or Croatia.

While neither career is in the balance, both Messi and Ronaldo have a lot on the line this June. If Messi can claim the Copa for Argentina or if Ronaldo can overcome the odds and lift Portugal to a European title it will go far in determining who is the best player of their era.