Messi or Ronaldo? - The grazing angle

FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2014

7. The Conclusion

When we look into the stats of Pele, it seems that he is above all in every aspects. However, a micro observation tells us that in the Brazilian League, there was not enough competition as it is present in today's world in Europe's top 5 leagues. With video analysis of each player it is hard to maintain the scoring momentum game after game for all the players.

Further Pele has played many exhibition matches, as Government of Brazil declared him a National treasure and ensured more matches to keep him away from lucrative offers outside Brazil.

Maradona though was good but not good enough to be placed alongside Pele, However, FIFA had other ideas. In 2000. FIFA declared Pele as "The Greatest Player of the Game" and Maradona as Player of the Century (People's Choice).

Johan Cruyff had his more than 50 percent career with Ajax, a weaker league again. Di Stefano is great but his lack of appearances in any finals of international tournament put a question mark for the GOAT credibility.

Messi is an awesome player but he is not a tough mentality at the final frontier. Also he has been constantly supported by a strong team all together for club and country both. Still he has not managed a Cup with the national team yet. He had failed to inspire a nation. He though showed temperament to take Argentina to World Cup 2018 by scoring hat trick in a do or die match against Ecuador. But when it comes to success as an Individual for Messi, most of it is due to the Tiki Taka system of play adopted and mastered by the players at the start of the decade. His skills acted as an engine to that system for final results.

Messi is facing fierce competition from Cristiano Ronaldo, the final name in the list. The stats suggests he is at par with all the nominees and a level up when it comes to Champions League. In World Cup he had not got enough support from his team mates to progress to a significant level. However, the way he has developed himself it is a matter of time he could overtake all the above nominees to lay claim on the GOAT.

When Portugal was reeling to qualify for the World Cups in 2014 against Sweden, he single handedly took Portugal to Brazil 2014. When Wolfsburg threatened Madrid for an early exit in the Champions League, he vowed and showcased what he is capable of. When Euro looked out of reach in the group stages itself, he took Portugal to the final with his brilliance match after match.

Messi and Ronaldo are not finished yet and already at the levels of Pele and Maradona. So there is a huge chance for one of them to become greatest of all time. With age on his side, Messi has an upper hand. But at the moment, Cristiano is on the driver's seat.

Ultimately, as we have the famous quote from Batman Begins', "It's not who you are underneath, what you do, defines you". After all his achievements, now Cristiano has shown the guts to challenge Italy and has embarked on a journey to redefine himself. Messi has been devoid of competition in Ronaldo as well as an avenger in Iniesta. Stage set, curtains are about to be raised...

For Messi and Ronaldo I would say:

The Inspiration of Generations. The Champions of Champions'. All eyes waiting!!!

The Mother of All Seasons' starts...