The difference between the two superstars is the issue of age. (Source: bestfootballers.com)The differences between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been debated for years. And now one of the most fundamental things that is changing the race between these two great individuals is the age difference.
Cristiano Ronaldo was born in 1985 and just celebrated his 30th birthday two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Messi was born in 1987 and is currently “only” 28 years old, the most beautiful age for a football player when he has had enough experience, glory and failure.
Since the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Nyon, Switzerland on January 12, Ronaldo and Messi’s world seems to have turned upside down.
The Portuguese superstar received a red card in his first La Liga match as the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner for hitting an opponent and was also suspended for two matches. When he returned, CR7’s Real Madrid lost 4-0 to their neighbours Atletico Madrid. Ronaldo’s goal drought only ended when he met Deportivo in La Liga and Schalke 04 in the Champions League round of 16. Specific numbers: in six matches (including suspension) after receiving the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo only scored two more goals.
With Lionel Messi, the Argentine striker seems ready to regain everything he lost in 2014. After January 12, Messi and Barcelona have had five matches in La Liga, the Argentine superstar has scored… 10 goals, created six passes for teammates, contributing to 80% of the goals Barca created during this period.
From only 15 goals at the end of the first leg, falling far behind Ronaldo (26 goals), Messi has now almost caught up with CR7 with 26 goals scored against his opponents, just two goals behind Ronaldo. La Pulga’s excellent form also ensured all victories for Barcelona, the Nou Camp team is now only two points behind Real on the rankings.
This change of position between Ronaldo and Messi was something that not many people thought of at the end of 2014. Messi was involved in a scandal with Coach Luis Enrique, and could even leave Barca, while Ronaldo was at the top of the world when he and Real established a series of 22 consecutive wins.
The biggest reason for this reversal is age. Ronaldo has entered his 30s, the most beautiful age for a man but also marks the decline in form of a player. Injuries have tormented Ronaldo, causing him to miss the World Cup, and now that is threatening CR7’s career. Doctor Mikel Sanchez, the best specialist in treating sports injuries in Spain, has confirmed that Ronaldo’s knee is too inflamed, if not treated completely, it means he will be out of action for six months, the Portuguese superstar may have to retire early.
The way of playing that uses a lot of speed and physicality has come back to knock Ronaldo down. Football today is no longer the time of Alfredo Di Stefano or Ferenc Puskas, where players can continue to fight and win well into their 30s, Ronaldo will have to accept that harsh reality.
As for Messi, at 28, the Barcelona superstar still has the ability to play at the top level and win for at least two more years. La Pulga almost single-handedly dragged Tito Vilanova and Gerardo Martino’s dying Barca through a period of crisis, now with Neymar, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Barca is ready for a new era, where Messi will still be the leader, the number 10’s terrible form at the moment is a guarantee for that future.
Messi will eventually suffer a serious injury and will eventually lose form, but that will not happen now. In 2015, Ronaldo will be 30, Messi will be 28. The world is ready for another pivot, where Messi will surpass Ronaldo again./.
