Hate to agree with @dreamboy3000 , and I can't stand Ronaldo but without him Portugal would have won nothing. He has a massive ego, but that is backed up by hard work and stepping up to the plate when needed.
But not any more though - I think that's the point. He's been an unbelievable player for over 20 years, but he's a detriment now.
Julian Dicks school of penalty taking - loved watching him absolutely leather it, never going to be saved.
Great character to step up and absolutely bury his 2nd penalty, still looks good to me. Ronaldo is/was better then Messi. I said what I said.
For me Ronaldo should have had his shootout pen chalked off as well. Clearly stops forward momentum in his run up, waiting for the keeper to move. But just cos it's Ronaldo, rules don't apply I guess.
Ronaldo is nowhere near Messi. This article from when they were both at their prime explains it well. Messi is levels above to the point where it's not really even a debate https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/
Watching the match last night, it seemed the commentators were obsessed by Ronaldo and could stop mentioning him, even when there was need to
The fact many of CR7's ex team mates also say Messi is better also speaks volumes. Rio for example played alongside Ronaldo arguably when he was at his best and most exciting and he still always says Messi is the better player. Ronaldo is an amazing player and ridiculous athlete and will always be one of the best, but never will be the best for me as Messi is just by far the better footballer.
I've always had Ronaldo above Messi for what it's worth (basically nothing cos I don't know much) - Ronaldo scored a wider variety of goals. Head and both feet, a natural finisher. Messi is strictly one footed. Obviously that foot is probably the best foot to ever kick a ball, but I take the variety. - Ronaldo played a variety of positions. Starting as a tricky winger, then developing into the greatest striker of the last fifty years. Messi was essentially employed off the right hand side for all his career. - Ronaldo tested himself in different leagues and conquered them all. Premier League, La Liga, Serie A. He's only really missing the Bundesliga. Messi stayed in the comforts of the Barca system throughout his prime. And I think Ronaldo is a complete greasy toerag, who has now caused my favourite ever player to be known as The Fat Ronaldo.
It's a myth about Messi's right foot being crap. Ronaldo is actually a worse finisher on his weak foot. He scores marginally more goals but from a much higher number of shots.
Well it is though, you can look at a number of statistics which favour Ronaldo - he’s played more games, more international games - he’s played longer at the highest level, he’s scored more goals, more international goals, played in more top leagues. I said what I said, Ronaldo is better.
Most of that argument is "Ronaldo is older." Any meaningful analysis of their contributions and play puts Messi way above. Also, Messi - 0 rapes.
Messi is 2 years younger then Ronaldo and is already in the retirement league, so not going to catch him now
