Tony Montana wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:
I don't think Messi and Ronaldo should be put in the same category. Mario Gomez would score 50 goals a season playing for Real Madrid in that embarrassment of a League. So would Ruud van Nistelrooy - neither would be fit to lace Messi's boots, or indeed, Henry's.
Not fair.
Ronaldo scored and assisted bucketloads at United over the course of 3 seasons and was compared to Messi regularly. He was the only player worth comparing to Lionel.
Ronaldo is more powerful and stronger hence why he plays differently but to say he's not fit to lace Messi's boots is rather OTT.
It depends what you appreciate in a footballer.
Ronaldo is a great player, but he doesn't have the awareness of players around him or the appreciation of space that Messi has - or lots and lots of other top players have. He can run really fast, all game every game, and is generally blessed physically, and he can shoot with both feet like few others - that's about it for absolutely outstanding attributes. Henry wasn't quite as gifted physically, and couldn't shoot with both feet quite as efficiently or as consistently, but his touch, his passing, his appreciation of time and space and where team mates were positioned - were all in a different stratosphere to that of Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is, in my opinion, a flat-track bully. He rarely looks outstanding playing amongst the very best players or teams. Henry might not have had the greatest goal scoring record in the biggest games, but he always shone when he was in the company of the best players in the world and up against the best defenders/teams. As does Messi.
