MUST: Cristiano Ronaldo shocks doctors during his first physical tests post-lockdown

[ArbitraryWater]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6vtUUnv_MY

Inspirational for any athlete.

This is a guy with the most Balon d'Ors ever and the greatest resume in football history, 35 years old, still this hungry and disciplined.


Athletes like LeBron and Ronaldo defy sports science.

[Dr Hawk]

Cristiano is the Kobe of soccer in terms of taking care of his body.

[ArbitraryWater]

Cristiano is the Kobe of soccer in terms of taking care of his body.

Kobe visibly aged though, and detoriated

LeBron and Ronaldo have the body of a 20 year person

Dont think Kobe was back in the gym working hard 1 day after the finals

[Overdrive]

Kobe visibly aged though, and detoriated

LeBron and Ronaldo have the body of a 20 year person

Dont think Kobe was back in the gym working hard 1 day after the finals

There are enough accounts of Kobe doing workouts, shootarounds, pragtices at night, during offseason etc. Lebron also lost a step, but obviously his higher ceiling also means that baring injury it will take longer for him to become "unathletic".

[ArbitraryWater]

There are enough accounts of Kobe doing workouts, shootarounds, pragtices at night, during offseason etc. Lebron also lost a step, but obviously his higher ceiling also means that baring injury it will take longer for him to become "unathletic".

We're going off course here.

LeBron and Ronaldo were athletic marvels who kept their same BF% pretty much.

Kobe was a hard worker who practiced a lot.

Its two different things highlighted here.

[uber]

Messi has the most Ballon d'Or trophies

[ArbitraryWater]

Messi has the most Ballon d'Or trophies

they're basically tied

everyone knows 2018 was a farce

and im not even adressing the other questionable years

[tpols]

Kobe visibly aged though, and detoriated

LeBron and Ronaldo have the body of a 20 year person

Dont think Kobe was back in the gym working hard 1 day after the finals

soccer is a ***** game... kobe took way more hits.

[ArbitraryWater]

soccer is a ***** game... kobe took way more hits.

You don‘t understand the game bro. If you‘d ever legit played it, you‘d know it was physical

[ArbitraryWater]

soccer is a ***** game... kobe took way more hits.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCydrKFwyTU

[FreezingTsmoove]

Who?

[ArbitraryWater]

Who?

does it matter who it is? its not an opinion, its a physical test dummie

[Turbo Slayer]

Hard work pays off! :applause: to those men.

[dankok8]

Most Ballon D'Or? LMAO

Cronaldo is the 5th greatest player of all time after Messi, Maradona, Pele, and Cruyff (not necessarily in that order). He has tremendous work ethic and dedication but he isn't a great all-around player compared to these guys who can dominate matches without scoring. You can invariably choose almost every single match in which Cristiano didn't score and conclude that he had very little impact. Can't do that with the others.

[ArbitraryWater]

Most Ballon D'Or? LMAO

Cronaldo is the 5th greatest player of all time after Messi, Maradona, Pele, and Cruyff (not necessarily in that order). He has tremendous work ethic and dedication but he isn't a great all-around player compared to these guys who can dominate matches without scoring. You can invariably choose almost every single match in which Cristiano didn't score and conclude that he had very little impact. Can't do that with the others.

Yeah but, when he does score he almost always has more impact than a non-scorer, and his scoring has happened a lot more than Messi scoring (QF/SF) :lol

[dankok8]

In the QF's, yes but not the SF's. Messi has had enormous impact in the semis.

Way to ignore the R16 and Finals. Cherry-picking at its best! :oldlol:

[Soundwave]

Kobe visibly aged though, and detoriated

LeBron and Ronaldo have the body of a 20 year person

Dont think Kobe was back in the gym working hard 1 day after the finals

Define "visibly aged" ... at 34 Kobe Bryant was still averaging 27+ ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg. Tearing your achilles isn't really "age specific" you can do it in your 20s.

And Kobe was back in the gym straight away after the 2008 Finals, not sure why that's such a big deal.

[Whoah10115]

Um, it's annoying to hear people talk about Ronaldo wrongly. And with all due respect, if you have him in your top 5 ever then you don't have a list. Overrated in the highest order, a goal scorer eager to score when the game is over. What the NBA forum calls a stat-padder.

All-time great player? Yes, of course. Not top 5 or 10 or particularly close.

Carry on.

[FKAri]

Um, it's annoying to hear people talk about Ronaldo wrongly. And with all due respect, if you have him in your top 5 ever then you don't have a list. Overrated in the highest order, a goal scorer eager to score when the game is over. What the NBA forum calls a stat-padder.

All-time great player? Yes, of course. Not top 5 or 10 or particularly close.

Carry on.

So just as other have said, The Kobe of soccer.

[SaltyMeatballs]

Kobe visibly aged though, and detoriated

LeBron and Ronaldo have the body of a 20 year person

Dont think Kobe was back in the gym working hard 1 day after the finals

Yeah only because of that Achilles tear. Otherwise, Kobe has always been great at keeping his body in shape and working hard. He even proved he was still one of the best in the game before his major injury

[ArbitraryWater]

In the QF's, yes but not the SF's. Messi has had enormous impact in the semis.

Way to ignore the R16 and Finals. Cherry-picking at its best! :oldlol:

Um, Messi hasn't scored more in finals either, and he is massively outscored in the semifinals.

You are completely out of touch.

Messi has been a no show exiting while remaining scoreless AND assistless in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

His legacy in the CL isn't up to GOAT standards.

You don't wanna do this. The facts aren't on your side.

[ArbitraryWater]

Um, it's annoying to hear people talk about Ronaldo wrongly. And with all due respect, if you have him in your top 5 ever then you don't have a list. Overrated in the highest order, a goal scorer eager to score when the game is over. What the NBA forum calls a stat-padder.

All-time great player? Yes, of course. Not top 5 or 10 or particularly close.

Carry on.

You are an absolute idiot. Players would facepalm reading this.

Imagine saying this after Ronaldo led a threepeat, as only ever to do so. What an idiot.

[dankok8]

Um, it's annoying to hear people talk about Ronaldo wrongly. And with all due respect, if you have him in your top 5 ever then you don't have a list. Overrated in the highest order, a goal scorer eager to score when the game is over. What the NBA forum calls a stat-padder.

All-time great player? Yes, of course. Not top 5 or 10 or particularly close.

Carry on.

Well his resume is that of a top 5/top 10 all timer for sure. I agree that in his peak you could find as many as ten players in the history of soccer who are better.

[ArbitraryWater]

I'd get a headache calling Messi GOAT with his big match performances / demeanor.

Same problme with Wilt.

[Im Still Ballin]

Peak Ronaldinho = GOAT.

[dankok8]

Um, Messi hasn't scored more in finals either, and he is massively outscored in the semifinals.

You are completely out of touch.

Messi has been a no show exiting while remaining scoreless AND assistless in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

His legacy in the CL isn't up to GOAT standards.

You don't wanna do this. The facts aren't on your side.

Not scoring or registering an assist doesn't mean you had a poor game especially if you play a huge role in build up that Messi does.

If you think Messi isn't GOAT level in semifinals and finals of CL then you don't know what you're talking about. I won't bother responding. You are generally knowledgeable about sports but insanely biased about Cronaldo. Most of those years you posted, Barca lost in QF.

[Hakkim90cc]

Meh Ronaldo was better

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/WickedSourDegu-small.gif

[dankok8]

I'd get a headache calling Messi GOAT with his big match performances / demeanor.

Same problme with Wilt.

LOL at the Wilt comparison. Messi might retire with the most major titles in soccer history.

[AlternativeAcc.]

Top 5 GOATS

Ronaldo
Messi
Zidane
Freddy Adu
Landon. D

[ArbitraryWater]

LOL at the Wilt comparison. Messi might retire with the most major titles in soccer history.

Haha, if you wanna equate leagues with CL's...

3 of those years were QF's.

Again you have no clue what you are talking about.

And Messi was a disapperance act in all those ties except the '17 1st leg and '19 2nd leg.

Ironically you accuse Ronaldo of being impactless besides scoring, but its Messi's lame, sleepwalking style as the player running the least amount on the pitch that is a detriment in huge knockout rounds. Against Liverpool he did nothing outside that free kick in the 1st leg.

You don't understand what the most important thing in football is, evidently.

A game of 2-3 goals a game will always be predominantly decided by the best scorers, the difference makers. Always.

And those and the midfield+ elite are the majority of GOAT's.

Just like how the best asset of the greatest basketball players is scoring.

And Ronaldo does this at a far more frequent and diverse level in the CL Knockout stage than Messi.

Besides that he has led CL campaigns in chances created, and is a perfect motivator / teammate / leader / role model/inspirer for teammates.

Messi's claim relies on fancy pants new age heat maps and passing stats.

But he's not cutthroat. Not at all.

The moment he became lazy boss and started strolling the pitch, was the moment he lost his edge.

[ArbitraryWater]

Meh Ronaldo was better

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/WickedSourDegu-small.gif

Fat Ronaldo did score a massive 9 CL goals, which might just blow Ronaldo's 129 CL goals out the water... oops

[PeroAntic]

Meh Ronaldo was better

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/WickedSourDegu-small.gif

True. Cristiano picked up his entire game from Original Ronaldo aka the Phenomenon. Just did it less naturally and through hard work. Original Ronaldo didn't even have to put any effort and still nobody could touch him. He also wasn't obsessed with stats and accolades, he just played for fun. Both of them are fringe top 5:

Pele
Maradona
Di Stefano
Messi
Fenomeno/CR7/Zidane

[Hakkim90cc]

https://i.ibb.co/kJzzXd1/Bqrvis-WCAAAqvy-C.jpg

[ArbitraryWater]

True. Cristiano picked up his entire game from Original Ronaldo aka the Phenomenon.

Dude, stick to basketball.

On 2nd thought, just look for something else all together.

[Hakkim90cc]

True. Cristiano picked up his entire game from Original Ronaldo aka the Phenomenon. Just did it less naturally and through hard work. Original Ronaldo didn't even have to put any effort and still nobody could touch him. He also wasn't obsessed with stats and accolades, he just played for fun. Both of them are fringe top 5:

Pele
Maradona
Di Stefano
Messi
Fenomeno/CR7/Zidane

He blew out his knee TWICE, didnt play for 2 years, came back and lead Brazil to a WC trophy.

[Hakkim90cc]

This dude is talking about cl goals like anybody gives a **** about cricri scoring hattricks against malmo and apoel nicosia:oldlol:

[warriorfan]

Op is gay

[dankok8]

Haha, if you wanna equate leagues with CL's...

3 of those years were QF's.

Again you have no clue what you are talking about.

And Messi was a disapperance act in all those ties except the '17 1st leg and '19 2nd leg.

Ironically you accuse Ronaldo of being impactless besides scoring, but its Messi's lame, sleepwalking style as the player running the least amount on the pitch that is a detriment in huge knockout rounds. Against Liverpool he did nothing outside that free kick in the 1st leg.

You don't understand what the most important thing in football is, evidently.

A game of 2-3 goals a game will always be predominantly decided by the best scorers, the difference makers. Always.

And those and the midfield+ elite are the majority of GOAT's.

Just like how the best asset of the greatest basketball players is scoring.

And Ronaldo does this at a far more frequent and diverse level in the CL Knockout stage than Messi.

Besides that he has led CL campaigns in chances created, and is a perfect motivator / teammate / leader / role model/inspirer for teammates.

Messi's claim relies on fancy pants new age heat maps and passing stats.

But he's not cutthroat. Not at all.

The moment he became lazy boss and started strolling the pitch, was the moment he lost his edge.

League titles can be worth almost as much as the CL especially and especially La Liga which for a period of 5+ years had three top 5 teams in the world. I could start posting quotes by the likes of Zidane, Simeone all calling La Liga more important than CL. I wouldn't ever go that far but to disregard winning the league title with competition that strong is stupid. Winning the Serie A with Juventus or Bundesliga with Bayern is not as good as winning the CL but winning La Liga... it's very close especially the 2015, 2016 and 2018 titles that Barca got all against a peak Real and strong Atleti.

Ronaldo in his 9 years in La Liga won 2 titles and in one of which (2017) he had minor impact compared to Messi's best. In their 9 years in La Liga together, Messi was the league's best player 7 times and Ronaldo 1 time. To most people, that matters a lot.

You sound like a total retard comparing Messi to Wilt when Messi is the winningest top player in club soccer history. I think only Dani Alves has more titles than Messi.

As for the CL, Messi has a better goal rate in R16 and Finals, Ronaldo in QF and SF. But in SF, Messi's best performances outshine Cronaldo's best.

Enough with that motivator/teammate/leader bullshit. That's the way for Cronaldo fans to rationalize their boy doing nothing in so many big matches and still winning. I'm not going to sit here and pretend Messi inspited Iniesta to score that goal vs Chelsea. But Cronaldo inspired Eder and Ramos... That's the level of mental gymnastics you're engaging in.

[PeroAntic]

Fat Ronaldo did score a massive 9 CL goals, which might just blow Ronaldo's 129 CL goals out the water... oops

I guess Lebron stains are statboys in every sport:oldlol:

also your data is wrong. if youre gonna be a statboy at least be good at it

[light]

Cristiano is the Kobe of soccer in terms of taking care of his body.

Kobe was always hurt though and when he retired he got fat. Not the best comparison. Cristiano is more like LeBron.

[ArbitraryWater]

League titles can be worth almost as much as the CL especially and especially La Liga which for a period of 5+ years had three top 5 teams in the world. I could start posting quotes by the likes of Zidane, Simeone all calling La Liga more important than CL. I wouldn't ever go that far but to disregard winning the league title with competition that strong is stupid. Winning the Serie A with Juventus or Bundesliga with Bayern is not as good as winning the CL but winning La Liga... it's very close especially the 2015, 2016 and 2018 titles that Barca got all against a peak Real and strong Atleti.

Ronaldo in his 9 years in La Liga won 2 titles and in one of which (2017) he had minor impact compared to Messi's best. In their 9 years in La Liga together, Messi was the league's best player 7 times and Ronaldo 1 time. To most people, that matters a lot.

You sound like a total retard comparing Messi to Wilt when Messi is the winningest top player in club soccer history. I think only Dani Alves has more titles than Messi.

As for the CL, Messi has a better goal rate in R16 and Finals, Ronaldo in QF and SF. But in SF, Messi's best performances outshine Cronaldo's best.

Enough with that motivator/teammate/leader bullshit. That's the way for Cronaldo fans to rationalize their boy doing nothing in so many big matches and still winning. I'm not going to sit here and pretend Messi inspited Iniesta to score that goal vs Chelsea. But Cronaldo inspired Eder and Ramos... That's the level of mental gymnastics you're engaging in.

Haha, you can post your La Liga > CL quotes all you want, but you probably won't because you know its not true.

Your statement on who was the league's best player is pretty useless to me. Thats not how several newspaper awards saw it during that time.

--

I'm not saying he inspired those specific goals at all.

But maybe you haven't noticed it.

Ronaldo and Madrid have won some pretty huge ties after deficits, and at moments when players drop their head, Ronaldo is seen clapping, alerting teammates and telling them to lets go...

these aren't myths.

We have footage of these things because cameras film everything happening on a pitch now.

Its that kind of motivation that is absolutely necessary for a leader of men.

You can ignore it and write it off to just BS, it would be easy. But it would also be easy to show you these things happening.

Meanwhile when Messi gets knocked down, he stays down.

He's quiet. He doesn't inspire a thing out there.

And when your leader is walking around the pitch, not pressing, lumped shoulders, then that takes on to the teammates as well...

Where as Ronaldo doesn't just try, but he also finds the right words.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGshFwJKb7g


This is perfect leadership. If you'd know about leadership styles, he hits all the spots here.

He has the right tangibles and intangibles.


Better goal rate in the finals, get the fukk outta here. Are you going full Kobe mode now? "Kobe has more game winning/tying shots in the finals bro!" Yeah, 1 to 0.

Messi wins with 2 goals in 3 finals compared to 4 goals in 6 finals.

Seriously?

Is that something you even want to be proud of?

Like I said, you are either out of touch with football or just completely delusional/biased when it comes to Messi/Ronaldo.

[KobesFinger]

What does this have to do with basketball? You couldn't have posted this in the OTC forum?

[ArbitraryWater]

What does this have to do with basketball? You couldn't have posted this in the OTC forum?

I put LeBron in the OP, check again. From then on, an easy cross conversation could ensue. Also essential for any athlete.

[dankok8]

Haha, you can post your La Liga > CL quotes all you want, but you probably won't because you know its not true.

Your statement on who was the league's best player is pretty useless to me. Thats not how several newspaper awards saw it during that time.

--

I'm not saying he inspired those specific goals at all.

But maybe you haven't noticed it.

Ronaldo and Madrid have won some pretty huge ties after deficits, and at moments when players drop their head, Ronaldo is seen clapping, alerting teammates and telling them to lets go...

these aren't myths.

We have footage of these things because cameras film everything happening on a pitch now.

Its that kind of motivation that is absolutely necessary for a leader of men.

You can ignore it and write it off to just BS, it would be easy. But it would also be easy to show you these things happening.

Meanwhile when Messi gets knocked down, he stays down.

He's quiet. He doesn't inspire a thing out there.

And when your leader is walking around the pitch, not pressing, lumped shoulders, then that takes on to the teammates as well...

Where as Ronaldo doesn't just try, but he also finds the right words.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGshFwJKb7g


This is perfect leadership. If you'd know about leadership styles, he hits all the spots here.

He has the right tangibles and intangibles.


Better goal rate in the finals, get the fukk outta here. Are you going full Kobe mode now? "Kobe has more game winning/tying shots in the finals bro!" Yeah, 1 to 0.

Messi wins with 2 goals in 3 finals compared to 4 goals in 6 finals.

Seriously?

Is that something you even want to be proud of?

Like I said, you are either out of touch with football or just completely delusional/biased when it comes to Messi/Ronaldo.

Let me put it this way... While Cronaldo was in Madrid, he and Messi were pretty neck and neck in the CL (several years one was better, several years other) while Messi dominated Cronaldo in other competitions. DOMINATED

Oh enough with that. Messi is plenty fired up himself. Perception is different from reality. Your boy always sulks too when his team loses. Heck he sulks when a teammate scores a goal!

You forgot to mention that 3 of Cronaldo's finals also featured extra time so he has 4 goals in what is essentially 7 matches worth of minutes. And honestly say what you want but his goal in the 2014 finals was garbage-time stat-padding. 120th minute PK with his team up 3-1. Messi has been more productive in CL finals and you can't deny that.

Bottom line is both men benefitted from their teammates. Iniesta goal in 2009 SF was huge but Cronaldo benefitted more. Ramos in 2014 and 2016 Finals, Bale in 2018 Finals (Ramos and Karius deserve honorable mentions) just off the top of my head. No amount of bullshit intangibles are going to make people forget that. Bottom line is if Ramos and Bale don't step up he has several fewer CL titles. They won those key matches, not Cronaldo. Just like Eder won it for Portugal. Cronaldo's impact was smaller than any Portuguese player that was on the pitch in that match because he wasn't playing.

[Turbo Slayer]

Messi is like Tim Duncan and Ronaldo is like LeBron James.

I never watched soccer but still...

[FKAri]

Messi is like Tim Duncan and Ronaldo is like LeBron James.

I never watched soccer but still...

Ronaldo is like Kobe
Messi is like Dr. Strange

[dankok8]

Messi is like Tim Duncan and Ronaldo is like LeBron James.

I never watched soccer but still...

In terms of personality yes but imagine if Tim Duncan held a bunch of Wilt-like records like most points in a season, most assists of all time etc. Messi at his peak is the most dominant soccer player of all time (at least in the last 50 years) in terms of the numbers he put up. Duncan was not a statistical marvel or the dominant force that Messi is but they are both quiet, unassuming, and loyal to their franchise and just go about their business. In that respect they are similar.

[Turbo Slayer]

In terms of personality yes but imagine if Tim Duncan held a bunch of Wilt-like records like most points in a season, most assists of all time etc. Messi at his peak is the most dominant soccer player of all time (at least in the last 50 years) in terms of the numbers he put up. Duncan was not a statistical marvel or the dominant force that Messi is but they are both quiet, unassuming, and loyal to their franchise and just go about their business. In that respect they are similar. Fair enough.

[86Celtics]

Fat Ronaldo did score a massive 9 CL goals, which might just blow Ronaldo's 129 CL goals out the water... oops

Off topic, but you don't know what you're talking about and judging by your other posts that's a general theme with you. The Brazilian could do stuff that the Portuguese could only dream of. But keep bringing up longevity stats without any context, that's all you're good for.

[ArbitraryWater]

Let me put it this way... While Cronaldo was in Madrid, he and Messi were pretty neck and neck in the CL (several years one was better, several years other) while Messi dominated Cronaldo in other competitions. DOMINATED

Oh enough with that. Messi is plenty fired up himself. Perception is different from reality. Your boy always sulks too when his team loses. Heck he sulks when a teammate scores a goal!

You forgot to mention that 3 of Cronaldo's finals also featured extra time so he has 4 goals in what is essentially 7 matches worth of minutes. And honestly say what you want but his goal in the 2014 finals was garbage-time stat-padding. 120th minute PK with his team up 3-1. Messi has been more productive in CL finals and you can't deny that.

Bottom line is both men benefitted from their teammates. Iniesta goal in 2009 SF was huge but Cronaldo benefitted more. Ramos in 2014 and 2016 Finals, Bale in 2018 Finals (Ramos and Karius deserve honorable mentions) just off the top of my head. No amount of bullshit intangibles are going to make people forget that. Bottom line is if Ramos and Bale don't step up he has several fewer CL titles. They won those key matches, not Cronaldo. Just like Eder won it for Portugal. Cronaldo's impact was smaller than any Portuguese player that was on the pitch in that match because he wasn't playing.

Dude, you‘re missing the point. Their finals sample sizes aren’t worth it to begin with, especially since their scoring rates are similar. Take away Ronaldo‘s OT goal. 3/6 vs 2/3. You‘re not moving a needle here.

Its almost sad to see you straw manning like this.

Choose better options for your arguments.

Dominated in the other competitions huh?

You are talking out of your ass again.

Ronaldo personally outscored Messi in the 2012 and 2013 CdR encounters. In 2012 by 2 goals, and in 2013 Messi famously disappeared.

Just about every time the El Clasico came around, Facebook got ready to do their "Has anyone seen this man: *Messi picture" memes. Thats how much he took himself out of games.

You saying Messi "dominated" Ronaldo in other competitions (league&cup) is unfounded bullshit. Its lying, and revisionist history.

They were each turning heads week for week in the league and passing weekly/yearly awards between them. And now here you are years later, cooking up some major revisionist history.

3 of Barcelona‘s league wins were decided on the last of 38 weeks (2010, 2015, 2016).

Ronaldo is the all time leading scorer of Europe‘s 5 major leagues.

Ronaldo NEVER sulked in CL. EVER.

Every time his Team fell behind, you could see him give everyone a cool Look and clap like lets go...

Messi‘s dropped head limped shoulders become the focal point even on Barcelona message boards, and here you are completely unaware of it.

I don‘t need the teammates.

Ronaldo has simply made a career of heroic wins and solo acts that Messi cannot hang with.

Ronaldo himself has 2 Hattricks to singlehandedly turn 0-2 ties: vs Wolfsburg 2016, vs Atletico 2019

TEN more QF/SF/F Hattricks or Braces: 2009 SF vs Arsenal, 2012 SF vs Bayern, 2013 QF vs Galatasaray (saved from elimination), 2014 SF vs Bayern, 2015 QF vs Schalke (saved from elimination), 2017 vs Bayern TWICE (saved from elimination), 2017 vs Atletico (saved from elimination), 2017 Final vs Juventus, 2018 QF vs Juventus (saved from elimination).

[ArbitraryWater]

*continuation:

Elimination saves being those that would result in elimination without his goals.

Messi in his entire career has 4 QF/SF/F Braces and 1 Hattrick. 2010 Arsenal, 2011 Real, 2015 Bayern, 2019 United, 2019 Liverpool.

He has been generally absent of any legendary self willed acts since 2015 and 2015 is the only great CL ties he‘s had since 2013. He was as lifeless as can be in 2014, and generally helpless against Atletico‘s parked bus in 2014 and 2016.

Ronaldo‘s variety and completeness as offensive option is simply more worth to a football game than Messi‘s. And it was proven year after year.

He scored 10 goals from QF/F against the top 3 defenses in the world in 2017.

In doing so, Ronaldo has CRUSHED the most consecutive CL SF appearances record: EIGHT (2011-2018).

And its not about the braces and hattricks per se, but Ronaldo has been more of an individual carrying machine than Messi. He has more often overcome the odds (actual odds), where as Messi has only once: 2017 vs PSG, playing third fiddle to Neymar‘s MVP Night.

Ronaldo has by far the record for most knockout stage goals.

But the fact you said Messi scores more in SF‘s alone shows me you have no clue what you are talking about.

Messi has made a career of the opposite: being on the wrong end of beatdowns and BLOWING big leads.

Blowing 4-1 vs AS Roma, blowing 3-0 vs Liverpool.

2013: 0-4 vs Bayern
2017: 0-3 vs Juventus
2018: 0-3 vs Roma
2019: 0-4 vs Liverpool

2010 WC: 0-4 vs Germany
2020 WC: 0-3 vs Croatia

Ronaldo has also amassed legendary performances for his National Team.

Signature matches.

Brace vs Bosnia to qualify for the EURO's
Brace vs Netherlands at the EURO's to win the Group
Hattrick vs Sweden to qualify for the World Cup
Brace + Assist vs Hungary to make it to the KO stage of the EURO's
Hattrick vs Spain at the World Cup

Messi doesn't have one signature performance for Argentina. He doesn't have that game, that moment.

Because he relies on play finishers, even as all-time scorer, against teams set up a very defensive, perhaps even Messi-centered way.

Ronaldo is play creator and finisher in one.

Meanwhile Ronaldo has more assists than Messi in the CL.

Ronaldo has the most CL Assists of all time.

Chew on that and stop acting like Ronaldo is Gerd Müller.

[ImKobe]

Ronaldo is more like Kobe - a winner. Lebron is more like Messi - better numbers but doesn't win as much.

[dankok8]

No... your boy Cronaldo doesn't have the most goals in Europe's top 5 leagues. Messi has 1 more (438 to 437) despite playing 92 fewer matches. Messi has a goal scoring rate of 0.92 and Cronaldo 0.78.

All I see here is the same bullshit narratives about blowing leads, losing matches etc. Listening to you, one would think Messi never won a CL. He has a more impressive trophy case than Cronaldo. 1 less CL but 4 more league titles, 1 more Ballon, 2 more European Golden Shoe, World Cup Golden Ball, Copa Golden Ball... Cronaldo has the Euro title but everyone and their grandmother knows that he had very little to do with it.

You're the one who started talking about QF's of CL and pidgeonholing. Why not think about sample sizes then? Because Messi has the higher overall scoring rate in the CL. That's a fact you can't dispute. The only context in which you ever mention assists is the CL. Messi blows Cronaldo apart in assists for their careers and furthermore in any and all advanced passing stats including in the CL. If you remove their scoring which is the only comparable area, Messi is literally 5 times the player. If you did anything more than watch boxscores and hate on Messi you'd realize he played a great tie against Juventus in 2017 and Liverpool in 2019 in terms of building up play. IIRC he had something like 10 key passes over two legs vs Juve. Just because his teammates didn't finish those chances doesn't mean he didn't create them. At least not to me. I'm not a boxscore watcher. I can see his impact on the game. I can see multiple defenders always watching Messi even when he doesn't have the ball.

In the last decade of 2010's, Messi leads all players in:

- goals
- assists
- key passes
- dribbles
- free kicks
- goals scored from outside of the box

That's complete and utter dominance. In the CL from 2016 to 2019 where he supposedly struggled, Messi averaged a goal a game plus all the other work he does.

Everything else is narratives and bullshit.

[ArbitraryWater]

Messi has 2 less CL's than Ronaldo, honestly speaking.

No sane fan with integrity would want to credit him with a CL in which he did not play the final, semifinal both matches, quarterfinal both matches, and R16 2nd leg.

But you're bottom of the barrel.


It's not narratives.

Messi loses almost every single year in the CL as favorite while not producing goals or assists:

2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

He was the favorite in ALL of these ties.

He exited remaining scoreless in ALL matches.

In a total 17 matches, he scored 2 goals (from the same match).

Meanwhile Ronaldo annually wins QF/SF stage matches by putting his team ahead as favorite or underdog and scoring in ways Messi can't replicate.

Thats what you need to concern yourself with.

Nobody cares about Messi's group stage/R16 scoring.

People dont care anymore about him running up the score on a mid tier spanish league team, only to get bounced when it matters.

Yeah he built up play nicely.

But he can build up play as nicely as he wants to, make nice passes, crosses, through balls... (This is a hypothetical, this isnt a regular Messi tie. That Juventus 1st leg and Liverpool 2nd leg were good performances from him but not the norm for when he exits. You'd notice I even made note of his Juve play in an earlier post.)

At the end of the day its inferior to the physical/technical product of Ronaldo who can turn a match in a second of jumping for a header.

I don't know this stat but I can tell you with 100% conviction you are bullshitting.

Messi absolutely does not lead all players in goals scored from outside the box.

[Im Still Ballin]

Peak Ronaldinho made Barcelona a powerhouse.

[ArbitraryWater]

Peak Ronaldinho made Barcelona a powerhouse.

Thats the only thing you ever say about football lol

[dankok8]

Messi has 2 less CL's than Ronaldo, honestly speaking.

No sane fan with integrity would want to credit him with a CL in which he did not play the final, semifinal both matches, quarterfinal both matches, and R16 2nd leg.

But you're bottom of the barrel.


It's not narratives.

Messi loses almost every single year in the CL as favorite while not producing goals or assists:

2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

He was the favorite in ALL of these ties.

He exited remaining scoreless in ALL matches.

In a total 17 matches, he scored 2 goals (from the same match).

Meanwhile Ronaldo annually wins QF/SF stage matches by putting his team ahead as favorite or underdog and scoring in ways Messi can't replicate.

Thats what you need to concern yourself with.

Nobody cares about Messi's group stage/R16 scoring.

People dont care anymore about him running up the score on a mid tier spanish league team, only to get bounced when it matters.

Yeah he built up play nicely.

But he can build up play as nicely as he wants to, make nice passes, crosses, through balls... (This is a hypothetical, this isnt a regular Messi tie. That Juventus 1st leg and Liverpool 2nd leg were good performances from him but not the norm for when he exits. You'd notice I even made note of his Juve play in an earlier post.)

At the end of the day its inferior to the physical/technical product of Ronaldo who can turn a match in a second of jumping for a header.

I don't know this stat but I can tell you with 100% conviction you are bullshitting.

Messi absolutely does not lead all players in goals scored from outside the box.

People care even less about your bullshit narratives. Messi is the most dominant player ever statistically, won the most titles (well after Dani Alves), and passes the eye test.

The reason they were favorites in a lot of those years (they definitely weren't in 2008, 2013, and 2019 BTW) was because of Messi. Everyone always expects a team with Messi to win. There is a reason for that.

As for goals outside of the box:

https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-messi-has-scored-the-most-goals-outside-of-the-box-since-200708-20190929

There are ton of Twitter posts I saw as well from like Squawka/WhoScored etc. about that…

[ArbitraryWater]

People care even less about your bullshit narratives. Messi is the most dominant player ever statistically, won the most titles (well after Dani Alves), and passes the eye test.

The reason they were favorites in a lot of those years (they definitely weren't in 2008, 2013, and 2019 BTW) was because of Messi. Everyone always expects a team with Messi to win. There is a reason for that.

As for goals outside of the box:

https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-messi-has-scored-the-most-goals-outside-of-the-box-since-200708-20190929

There are ton of Twitter posts I saw as well from like Squawka/WhoScored etc. about that…

Looks like that stat is free kick involved, which isnt really the point of longshots.

I doubt Messi has scored 48 free kicks, but I know for a fact Messi hasnt scored 6+ free kicks every season since 07/08.

Thats made up.

I have all his goals here.

Messi did not score 6 or more free kicks in 08, 09, 10, 11...

[tpols]

Messi is like Tim Duncan and Ronaldo is like LeBron James.

I never watched soccer but still...

nah... Messi is supreme offensive skill he's more like a Kobe.

Lebron is a good comparison for ronaldo since theyre both power / line drive players.

[ArbitraryWater]

nah... Messi is supreme offensive skill he's more like a Kobe.

Lebron is a good comparison for ronaldo since theyre both power / line drive players.

football isnt a power/line drive kind of sport you idiot

its about skill and skill only

[ArbitraryWater]

nah... Messi is supreme offensive skill he's more like a Kobe.

Lebron is a good comparison for ronaldo since theyre both power / line drive players.

skill, son:

1-touch backheels:
https://i.gyazo.com/d128762773e34d978cfb2a5298558867.gif
(look at the perfect weight on them, delicious)
more:
https://gyazo.com/66c05355edb7bbe88d865fb1a99b40c0[/url]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTT70TEEriY

shoulder passes:
https://i.gyazo.com/a295700f57460a89c09caafc7951f426.gif

aerial first touch and go:
https://i.gyazo.com/c07d706aed89a805001e2223c648aebf.gif

im not making a broader point here anymore.

just so some american noobs such as yourself can appreciate some futbol skill

[dankok8]

Looks like that stat is free kick involved, which isnt really the point of longshots.

I doubt Messi has scored 48 free kicks, but I know for a fact Messi hasnt scored 6+ free kicks every season since 07/08.

Thats made up.

I have all his goals here.

Messi did not score 6 or more free kicks in 08, 09, 10, 11...

It's from 2007-2008 to present... cumulative. It doesn't mean every season he had that many. Messi has become a free kick specialist about 5 years ago and started scoring insane numbers of them.

[tpols]

Nobody said ronaldo wasnt skilled... just signifigantly less than Messi.

the gifs you poasted werent even that impressive. a chest pass and backwards heel pass?

:biggums:

messi used to carve through defenses like a knife through hot butter.

Reminds me of the kyrie olympic gif where hes schooling everybody bringing the ball up full court.

https://media.giphy.com/media/2HavnYT1BfENa/giphy.gif

[ArbitraryWater]

It's from 2007-2008 to present... cumulative. It doesn't mean every season he had that many. Messi has become a free kick specialist about 5 years ago and started scoring insane numbers of them.

The article features a tweet from ElevenSportsUK which says so.

[ArbitraryWater]

Nobody said ronaldo wasnt skilled... just signifigantly less than Messi.

the gifs you poasted werent even that impressive. a chest pass and backwards heel pass?

:biggums:

messi used to carve through defenses like a knife through hot butter.

Reminds me of the kyrie olympic gif where hes schooling everybody bringing the ball up full court.

https://media.giphy.com/media/2HavnYT1BfENa/giphy.gif

"backwards heel pass" lmao. You mean a backheel?

I dont think you understand the absurd timing and touch/body stance necessary to pull off a pass at that angle and have it perfectly weighted for the teammate.

Ronaldo was known for those shoulder and backheel passes. Its not a chest pass :facepalm: chess doesnt direct necessary pace or placement at longer distance

Check them out and my link includes 2 more backheels.

You don't see anyone else doing those.

The most impressive thing about that Messi goal is his elusiveness and touch and body control past the first 2 defenders. I can show you similar for young Ronaldo, receiving a pass and making a mess out of the defender while being with his back or side to him.

The rest is historically bad defense. Kindergarten stuff how the goalie rushes him and the defender before tackling from the side

[tpols]

"backwards heel pass" lmao. You mean a backheel?

I dont think you understand the absurd timing and touch/body stance necessary to pull off a pass at that angle and have it perfectly weighted for the teammate.

Ronaldo was known for those shoulder and backheel passes. Its not a chest pass :facepalm: chess doesnt direct necessary pace or placement at longer distance

Check them out and my link includes 2 more backheels.

You don't see anyone else doing those.

The most impressive thing about that Messi goal is his elusiveness and touch and body control past the first 2 defenders. I can show you similar for young Ronaldo, receiving a pass and making a mess out of the defender while being with his back or side to him.

The rest is historically bad defense. Kindergarten stuff how the goalie rushes him and the defender before tackling from the side

Bro... look at that split second hesi he put on the goalie faking the left kick.

then skates by for the easy goal.

that's straight kobe level trickery.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BelatedWelloffBinturong-size_restricted.gif

[dankok8]

@tpols

Messi gets underrated as an athletic specimen. He's supremely fast although not the fastest player at full speed but more importantly he's unmatched when it comes to short bursts of acceleration. That along with his skills that you mentioned makes him unguardable. Think MJ triple threat at the elbow. That's Messi on the edge of the penalty area in soccer. He can blast it into the corner, dribble past the defender or make a perfect pass (through-ball, lob, cross, give and go... you name it). And you're scared to foul him because he is deadly with free kicks!

I can see the Kobe comparison in a sense that Messi is methodical in his approach just picks you apart whereas Cronaldo is more of a bull in a china shop like Lebron. However, considering that Messi is a much better all-around player, it's not a sound comparison in that sense.

[tpols]

@tpols

Messi gets underrated as an athletic specimen. He's supremely fast although not the fastest player at full speed but more importantly he's unmatched when it comes to short bursts of acceleration. That along with his skills that you mentioned makes him unguardable. Think MJ triple threat at the elbow. That's Messi on the edge of the penalty area in soccer. He can blast it into the corner, dribble past the defender or make a perfect pass (through-ball, lob, cross, give and go... you name it). And you're scared to foul him because he is deadly with free kicks!

I can see the Kobe comparison in a sense that Messi is methodical in his approach just picks you apart whereas Cronaldo is more of a bull in a china shop like Lebron. However, considering that Messi is a much better all-around player, it's not a sound comparison in that sense.


that makes the analogy even more valid.

[RRR3]

that makes the analogy even more valid.
Pass the needle, bro.

[Im Still Ballin]

Thats the only thing you ever say about football lol

Messi and Ronaldino put up goals... But Dinho at his best... Best ever.

GOAT peak.


He did see that Messi was the chosen one though -- took him under his wing.

Yodainho.

[ronniec]

Most Ballon D'Or? LMAO

Cronaldo is the 5th greatest player of all time after Messi, Maradona, Pele, and Cruyff (not necessarily in that order). He has tremendous work ethic and dedication but he isn't a great all-around player compared to these guys who can dominate matches without scoring. You can invariably choose almost every single match in which Cristiano didn't score and conclude that he had very little impact. Can't do that with the others.

There were so many greats in football (not soccer) history, and Cruyff is certainly one of them.
But when you have to count 5, it is debatable.
The total football revolutionized the game but it was more as a team execution than an individual.
On the other hand, "Der Kaiser" Franz Beckenbauer revolutionized the position centerback, and and made it to sweeper/"libero" pretty much by himself.
Of course, he won WC with West Germany and tons of trophies with Bayern Munich as well.
I would put him over Cruyff for the top 5.

[It'sTheVibe]

I don't know why you guys are discussing this because it's very simple.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the allround skill level and physical specimen that lebron james is combined with the kobe killer mindset!

Messi is the pure refined elite skill level that kobe is combined with the timide lebron james mindset !

So the question is what do you prefer lebron james skill with kobe mindset or kobe skill with lebron james mindset.

Because let me tell you one will be the ultimate Goat of basketball and the other one will be just another Demar Derozan.

[ArbitraryWater]

I don't know why you guys are discussing this because it's very simple.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the allround skill level and physical specimen that lebron james is combined with the kobe killer mindset!

Messi is the pure refined elite skill level that kobe is combined with the timide lebron james mindset !

So the question is what do you prefer lebron james skill with kobe mindset or kobe skill with lebron james mindset.

Because let me tell you one will be the ultimate Goat of basketball and the other one will be just another Demar Derozan.

Ronaldo is indeed the mentally strongest athlete ever. Kobe is no match on that front.


Him prophesizing and announcing a comeback from down 0-2 against Atletico is one of the most epic things ever. Inspired all his teammates, then had a hattrick.

The man‘s belief and conviction is on another level than anyone‘s.

[FKAri]

Messi and Ronaldino put up goals... But Dinho at his best... Best ever.

GOAT peak.


He did see that Messi was the chosen one though -- took him under his wing.

Yodainho.

In 100 possessions:

Ronaldinho:
80 times loses the ball
10 times succeeds while making a high % play
10 times succeeds while making a low % stylish play and everyone loses their minds and it gets played on highlight reels

Messi:
50 times loses the ball
49 times succeeds while making a high % play
9 times succeeds while making a low % stylish play and everyone loses their minds and it gets played on highlight reels

Percentages are not to scale


I don't know why you guys are discussing this because it's very simple.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the allround skill level and physical specimen that lebron james is combined with the kobe killer mindset!

Messi is the pure refined elite skill level that kobe is combined with the timide lebron james mindset !

So the question is what do you prefer lebron james skill with kobe mindset or kobe skill with lebron james mindset.

Because let me tell you one will be the ultimate Goat of basketball and the other one will be just another Demar Derozan.
Nice alt Arby

[ArbitraryWater]

Nice alt Arby

Lol I'd never put Kobe above LeBron mindset

[dankok8]

LOL

Messi with a timid mindset? These people can't be taken seriously. Messi is the guy who gets hit in the face, tackled violently, trash-talked and shoved by players way bigger than him and you never see him back down. In fact the more players try to intimidate him, the angrier and more dangerous he gets. You can see that in his matches vs. Real and Sergio Ramos in particular.

If you look at their career records in SF and Finals of big tournaments, it's actually Cronaldo who disappears more often. Cronaldo for being a slightly better penalty taker has more misses in big matches. Sometimes perception is not reality. Messi is more clutch and I can prove it with numbers.

[Round Mound]

Maradona is the GOAT end of discussion!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akIokTkJQ0A

[ArbitraryWater]

LOL

Messi with a timid mindset? These people can't be taken seriously. Messi is the guy who gets hit in the face, tackled violently, trash-talked and shoved by players way bigger than him and you never see him back down. In fact the more players try to intimidate him, the angrier and more dangerous he gets. You can see that in his matches vs. Real and Sergio Ramos in particular.

If you look at their career records in SF and Finals of big tournaments, it's actually Cronaldo who disappears more often. Cronaldo for being a slightly better penalty taker has more misses in big matches. Sometimes perception is not reality. Messi is more clutch and I can prove it with numbers.

Messi gets timid almost every year when Barca gets punched in the mouth and he doesn‘t do anything about it.

This had him flamed on Barca message boards for years, and here you are acting like it never happened and creating the biggest lie of all time. You have no shame. Luckily I‘ve never encountered anyone mirroring the stuff you say.

Ronaldo has the most CL SF goals of all time.

Messi meanwhile has scored in 2/15 CL SF games in his life.

You are so delusional.

[ArbitraryWater]

And that stat is 2/15 and not 2/16 because he ducked another beatdown from Bayern in 2013 after a 0-4 whopping. Sat on the bench just in case a comeback was on the cards, but played in the league 4 days earlier and 3 days after.

He had that magic 1 day injury, bad enough to keep him out of a CL SF 2nd leg at home, but not bad enough to play a meaningless league game in a league they had already won with a 15+ pt lead.


Thats Messi mentality.

You could have bet your ass Ronaldo would have tried to come back.

[dankok8]

Messi gets timid almost every year when Barca gets punched in the mouth and he doesn‘t do anything about it.

This had him flamed on Barca message boards for years, and here you are acting like it never happened and creating the biggest lie of all time. You have no shame. Luckily I‘ve never encountered anyone mirroring the stuff you say.

Ronaldo has the most CL SF goals of all time.

Messi meanwhile has scored in 2/15 CL SF games in his life.

You are so delusional.

No I'm not buddy.

Every player, the greater he is, the more he gets criticized by irrational emotional fans. Nobody on Barca forums really flamed Messi except after the Roma defeat which was deserved. He should have done better there. But in other years, Barca was simply outplayed. Liverpool lost 3-0 in the 1st leg but they actually outplayed Barca even in that match and got very unlucky with that scoreline. We already established that Messi played really well in 2017 and 2019. In 2014 and 2016 against Atleti he was nothing special but Cronaldo from 2014-2016 against Atleti didn't do anything either so I don't know how you can use that as an argument. 2013 Messi was hurt. 2012 ok... he had an assist, missed a PK which if he made they would have still lost with the same aggregate score but maybe that PK would have made a difference. But he wasn't awful by any stretch. 2010 against Inter I don't remember this tie much to be honest and 2008 was before his prime.

Messi scored in 3/8 CL SF ties but it's worth noting that he was injured or not in his prime for a few tie (2008, 2013) and that two of those ties (2011, 2015) might be the two best performances in CL history.

You like Lebron as do I. Is he a choker like people say? Skip Bayless keeps bringing up 2011 Finals.