UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2011

RONALDO VS MESSI – THE ULTIMATE BATTLE

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo joked how he is greater than Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi – literally – and that his team must win the Classico.“I am taller and wider than Messi,” Ronaldo joked when asked who will be the better player.“He is having a great season and will now and forever be among the best players ever. But the coach and entire team also deserve credit. Messi does not play alone. He has great players by his side.

These two fascinatingly contrary figures: Messi, the shy, formerly-fragile boy from Argentina who packed his bags aged 13 and put himself in Barcelona’s care; and Ronaldo, the perma-tanned Portuguese with the perfect physique and arrogance to match his £80m attributes.

They are the last two winners of the Fifa World Footballer of the Year award and, despite being far from stereotypical centre-forwards in a positional sense, have each won a European Golden Shoe prize in the last three years.

“The two of them are very good, for sure, but I prefer Messi,” said Zokora. “Messi is perfect in the art of dribbling, while Ronaldo’s shot is incredible. It is very difficult to stop them, they are very, very fast. Could one of them go on and be the greatest? It is difficult to say it, but maybe…”

Lionel Messi:

- 22 goals in 17 games for Barcelona this season

- 54 goals in 48 games for Barcelona in 2010

- Has scored in nine consecutive games for Barca

- In last five seasons (this season last), has scored: 17, 16, 38, 47, 22

Cristiano Ronaldo:
- 16 goals in 18 games for Real Madrid this season
- 38 goals in 42 games for Real Madrid in 2010
- Has scored 14 goals in 12 La Liga games this term
- In last five seasons (first three with Man Utd), has scored: 23, 42, 26, 33, 18

Ronaldo should not be compared with Messi or Messi should not be even compared with Ronaldo. its a sport and we should be enjoying watching two legend play.