Unbelievable

96 CL goals

make that 97

143 European club games, 100 goals !

If he'd failed to score today it'd have been a month since he'd found the net, the longest period in a number of years I believe!

For all his skill at football ..he's still a two hat...meh.

Ronaldo is a machine. 32 and still playing at a level only him and messi can compare.
Gonna go down as one of the best ever if not the best ever.

He will probably win la liga and the champions league this season.

Messi fanboys will be in tears about that comment suggesting Ronaldo could be the best ever.

Sidney1st wrote:Messi fanboys will be in tears about that comment suggesting Ronaldo could be the best ever.

Wonder if Bamford is a Messi fan?

Like him or loath him, he is one extraordinary football talent.

Up there with the best, if not the best.

I remember a period in his career when detractors said he didn't perform in the big games *snigger*

Steve1956 wrote:For all his skill at football ..he's still a two hat...meh.

I guess you've no clue about all his charity work then ? Or all the operations for kids he's paid for ?

Ronaldo like Beckham are hated by most men from pure jealousy

The thing I like about Ronaldo is that most of his talent is through application.

Messi is a natural genius. Ronaldo is at his level purely through hard work. (Not saying messi doesnt work hard)

Some people prefer Ronaldo because he hasn't sat at one club surrounded by some of the best players in the world.

He's done the job in two very different leagues.

Plus you do hear more about his charitable work.

Oh and he's got a winners medal from an international tournament that isn't the Olympics.

Portugals euros win with Ronaldo is almost as impressive as Argentinas success with one man maradonna.

Based solely on stats, Messi is better than Ronaldo. For club and country he has more goals and assists.

If I had a choice to watch just one of them playing to their absolute peak, Mesi every time.

It's unusual that there are two such talents in the game at the same time. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, his career has been played during the period where Messi has been around.

It's could even be argued that Ronaldo (ii) isn't even the best ever Ronaldo, the original was absolutely fantastic, but he didn't have his namesakes dedication.

Even in a poor defeat last night, Messi still created 3 guilt edged chances with some amazingly good through balls.

The biggest shame is that neither are in the Premier League and visiting Turf Moor at least once a season.

I'm not certain Messi would be as effective as Ronaldo, or maybe even Bale, in the PL.

We will probably never find out because he's happy enough at Barca.

Messi is a better footballer in the sense that I can't think of anybody in the modern era who could match him technically, but on the whole I've always preferred to watch Ronaldo. His pace, power and aerial ability are phenomenal and he scores all kinds of goals, whereas Messi more often than not seems to pass/dribble his way to a 1 vs 1 before getting the keeper to commit and chipping him (which is still impressive, just repetitive). Ronaldo also has the capacity to single handedly drag teams to victory, particularly when he's playing with Portugal.

DCWat wrote:Based solely on stats, Messi is better than Ronaldo. For club and country he has more goals and assists.

If I had a choice to watch just one of them playing to their absolute peak, Mesi every time.

It's unusual that there are two such talents in the game at the same time. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, his career has been played during the period where Messi has been around.

It's could even be argued that Ronaldo (ii) isn't even the best ever Ronaldo, the original was absolutely fantastic, but he didn't have his namesakes dedication.

Even in a poor defeat last night, Messi still created 3 guilt edged chances with some amazingly good through balls.

The biggest shame is that neither are in the Premier League and visiting Turf Moor at least once a season.

I agree with all of that. Absolutely spot on.

In fairness FactualFrank, I'm pretty sure I remember a famous thread when your alter-ego Muchacho was talking about how he'd have Ronaldo in his pocket...was a few years back mind you

His 100 European goals here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z31n56M ... e=youtu.be

Woollyhat wrote:In fairness FactualFrank, I'm pretty sure I remember a famous thread when your alter-ego Muchacho was talking about how he'd have Ronaldo in his pocket...was a few years back mind you

That was genuinely one of my favourite threads in the history of ClaretsMad, I had to refill my popcorn when I got to the part where Muchacho started offering people out

SammyBoy wrote:That was genuinely one of my favourite threads in the history of ClaretsMad, I had to refill my popcorn when I got to the part where Muchacho started offering people out

There are some things that are never forgotten, and the back pocket comment followed by the tantrum after being ridiculed is right up there.

claretdom wrote:There are some things that are never forgotten, and the back pocket comment followed by the tantrum after being ridiculed is right up there.

It was perfect fodder for Gough and Durham's "Heads Gone' segment on TalkSport.

Vegas Claret wrote:I guess you've no clue about all his charity work then ? Or all the operations for kids he's paid for ?

Couldn't give a Shiite about Ronaldo and his charity work,if I was on £350,000 a week I would give to charity it wouldn't stop me from being a self centered knob head like him,obnoxious Portugese posing two hat

Steve1956 wrote:Couldn't give a Shiite about Ronaldo and his charity work,if I was on £350,000 a week I would give to charity it wouldn't stop me from being a self centered knob head like him,obnoxious Portugese posing two hat

So you'd be a two hat with or without the money?

Sidney1st wrote:So you'd be a two hat with or without the money?

Of course,no question about it pal!

SammyBoy wrote:Messi is a better footballer in the sense that I can't think of anybody in the modern era who could match him technically, but on the whole I've always preferred to watch Ronaldo. His pace, power and aerial ability are phenomenal and he scores all kinds of goals, whereas Messi more often than not seems to pass/dribble his way to a 1 vs 1 before getting the keeper to commit and chipping him (which is still impressive, just repetitive). Ronaldo also has the capacity to single handedly drag teams to victory, particularly when he's playing with Portugal.

There's definitely a resemblance with some of Messi's goals to the old FIFA games where the striker could just dribble around the whole team and score

DCWat wrote:There's definitely a resemblance with some of Messi's goals to the old FIFA games where the striker could just dribble around the whole team and score

His ball control combined with his low center of gravity make him unplayable when he's at his peak, though I've always suspected Messi could fade dramatically once he gets past 30 though as I don't think he's the natural athlete that Ronaldo is.

He is quite good at football.

KefkaClaret wrote:He is quite good at football.

Y también él es un gran coño del más alto orden..

If you named all the perfect attributes to be a world class forward he has them all...including that marvelous leap. He's phenomenal because of the hard work he's put in to develop into a real athlete.

Messi is fantastic, and has many great attributes, but one thing Ronaldo seems to have more than enough of to match anyone is determination. That's why I like him, he's turned himself into an absolute machine to continue producing at the highest level.

DCWat wrote:Based solely on stats, Messi is better than Ronaldo. For club and country he has more goals and assists.

If I had a choice to watch just one of them playing to their absolute peak, Mesi every time.

It's unusual that there are two such talents in the game at the same time. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, his career has been played during the period where Messi has been around.

It's could even be argued that Ronaldo (ii) isn't even the best ever Ronaldo, the original was absolutely fantastic, but he didn't have his namesakes dedication.

Even in a poor defeat last night, Messi still created 3 guilt edged chances with some amazingly good through balls.

The biggest shame is that neither are in the Premier League and visiting Turf Moor at least once a season.

Cristiano not the best Ronaldo ever? Its not even a competition. CR7 blows him out of the water.

DCWat wrote:Based solely on stats, Messi is better than Ronaldo. For club and country he has more goals and assists.

If I had a choice to watch just one of them playing to their absolute peak, Mesi every time.

It's unusual that there are two such talents in the game at the same time. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, his career has been played during the period where Messi has been around.

It's could even be argued that Ronaldo (ii) isn't even the best ever Ronaldo, the original was absolutely fantastic, but he didn't have his namesakes dedication.

Even in a poor defeat last night, Messi still created 3 guilt edged chances with some amazingly good through balls.

The biggest shame is that neither are in the Premier League and visiting Turf Moor at least once a season.

Isn't this one of the most pretentious bits of rubbish ever written?

I have to agree with DCWat. The original Ronaldo was an unbelievable player. People have forgotten just how good he was at his peak. He simply didn't miss, and created half the chances himself. It's a shame he is remembered for the France '98 final, and then his health issues. but if you compare both Ronaldos at their peak, it is certainly not a clear cut choice as to who was better.

100 CL goals in 137 games, phenomenal

gogogadgetlegs wrote:Isn't this one of the most pretentious bits of rubbish ever written?

Well rounded and thoughtful response there gogo.
Added immensely to the discussion.

30 years from now...

"What was it like grandad, watching those two at their peak, in the same era?".. "Yeah it was amazing, we could squabble on the internet for hours over assist stats, tax returns and charity work. Great times".

Debate only started with the internet.

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Debate only started with the internet.

What's the internet?

The Real Madrid fans were still booing him last night. They obviously want rid. Cheeky bid? Only down side is he'd need to beat George Boyd at a beep test before he gets a game.

Hes prroved hes the best bar messi. Why wouldnt they keep him

Roosterbooster wrote:I have to agree with DCWat. The original Ronaldo was an unbelievable player. People have forgotten just how good he was at his peak. He simply didn't miss, and created half the chances himself. It's a shame he is remembered for the France '98 final, and then his health issues. but if you compare both Ronaldos at their peak, it is certainly not a clear cut choice as to who was better.

Cristiano scored 50+ goals for 5 consecutive seasons. Fat Ronaldo was plagued by Injury, I'm not sure how you can compare a player with potential to a player who's realised his potential in 2 different leagues over many many years. Oh and I forgot to add, we all seem to forget CR7 is a winger, not a striker but he gets compared to strikers because he's that good.

KRBFC wrote:Cristiano scored 50+ goals for 5 consecutive seasons. Fat Ronaldo was plagued by Injury, I'm not sure how you can compare a player with potential to a player who's realised his potential in 2 different leagues over many many years. Oh and I forgot to add, we all seem to forget CR7 is a winger, not a striker but he gets compared to strikers because he's that good.

I'll just add that I didn't say the original Ronaldo WAS better, I said it could be argued. I've seen plenty ex professionals put the original Ronaldo up there with the best of all time.

No disputing that the current Ronaldo has done it for a more sustained period. Doesn't necessarily make him a better player though.

Outstanding player. People don't like him because he is a poser and a cheat. Messi is an outstanding talent without acting like a kn*b and gains more respect universally.

Are you guy's really comparing the fat Ronaldo who played for Brazil with the Ronaldo who scored his 100th CL goal yesterday?
what a joke the original was a carthorse by comparison.

Taffy on the wing wrote:Are you guy's really comparing the fat Ronaldo who played for Brazil with the Ronaldo who scored his 100th CL goal yesterday?
what a joke the original was a carthorse by comparison.

I think people mythologize the original, he was great but not on CR's level.

Was it not for injuries, he could potentially have eclipsed the very best ever. Watch games where he was in his prime, he was on another level.

Just a few comments on the 'cart horse by comparison':

His coach at Barcelona, Bobby Robson, commented: "He was the fastest thing I've ever seen running with the ball. Had he managed to stay free of injury, he had every chance of becoming the best footballer ever", while Lionel Messi states: "He was the best striker I've ever seen. He was so fast he could score from nothing, and could shoot the ball better than anyone."[94] Ronaldinho called Ronaldo "the most complete striker there has ever been."[95] Ronaldo was also a strong and powerful player who could shield the ball from the opposition, with former Italian defender Alessandro Nesta [who faced Ronaldo in a high profile one on one duel in the 1998 UEFA Cup final] stating: "Ronaldo is the hardest attacker I've ever had to face. He was impossible to stop."

DCWat wrote:Was it not for injuries, he could potentially have eclipsed the very best ever. Watch games where he was in his prime, he was on another level.

Just a few comments on the 'cart horse by comparison':

His coach at Barcelona, Bobby Robson, commented: "He was the fastest thing I've ever seen running with the ball. Had he managed to stay free of injury, he had every chance of becoming the best footballer ever", while Lionel Messi states: "He was the best striker I've ever seen. He was so fast he could score from nothing, and could shoot the ball better than anyone."[94] Ronaldinho called Ronaldo "the most complete striker there has ever been."[95] Ronaldo was also a strong and powerful player who could shield the ball from the opposition, with former Italian defender Alessandro Nesta [who faced Ronaldo in a high profile one on one duel in the 1998 UEFA Cup final] stating: "Ronaldo is the hardest attacker I've ever had to face. He was impossible to stop."

and I could pull twice the amount of quotes from footballers claiming CR7 to be the best ever. Twice the amount of Ballon D'ors, a miles better scoring record from a wide position. The main part of your post was " had it not been for injuries, he COULD HAVE". How can anyone seriously compare a player who COULD HAVE to one that's done what CR7 has. The main difference between the two is Cristiano did what Ronaldo couldn't. Again, you're forgetting CR is a winger, a winger who scores 50+ goals a season, incredible really. Compare him to a winger like Hazard, remarkable.