Lionel Messi Vs Cristiano Ronaldo - A War That Even Gods Cannot Solve.

Tale of a match between two rival cities,
Sometimes fair play, sometimes atrocities.
One team, led by the man of strength and tough grind,
The other, governed by the left-footed magician,
Known to leave world-class walls behind.
"Which one is better?", Critics argue,
Fans fight on it. Not a petty issue.
Smart ones don't choose sides, they just say
"Enjoy the game. Enjoy how they both play."

What comes to your mind when you see that white ball with black patches on it? Or maybe a Brazuca ball? You just think of wearing those studs and getting into action. Or just to kick that ball. Same happens when you turn on your television to watch a game of football. You can hear the commentators comparing the in-game players. But if you pick up El Clasicos from November 2009 to May 2018, you will hear that commentators are making constant comparisons between the two of the world's greatest footballers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Maybe that's how their rivalry has been. But this was not the first time that this Messi-Ronaldo debate was talked about. It goes back to 2007, when Kaka, Raul, Ronaldinho, Beckham, Zidane and many more.

In the 2007 Ballon d'or, both Messi and Ronaldo lost to Kaka of A.C. Milan (he was just too good for the two that time.) Pundits saw this coming, the way the two youngesters played. Both the players played on the flanks, while Messi under Guardiola became the roaming striker. Records made one day, were broken the other. El Clasicos became a test sheet for the two, and Ballon d'Or meant their scholarship. But a few things changed since 2007. In 2019, Ronaldo came to Real Madrid, the arch- rivals of F.C. Barcelona, Messi's club. Ballon d'Or became that parcel which switched hands for 10 years(2008-2018). Both of them got it five times each. People watch their international clashes with that same zeal - Portugal (Ronaldo) and Argentina (Messi). Being called as the Gods of Football, both Ronaldo and Messi haven't had the privilege to hold the biggest international football title - FIFA World Cup. This is the reason why both of them are arguably the best players ever, not the best players ever.

In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus, Italy. Since then, El Clasicos have been more of team-based rivalry as the two gods are not in the same field anymore. Still, their stats don't fail to catch the eyes of football fans, their comparison never stops. With both of them ageing older, it seems that now football would mean more than just Messi- Ronaldo, more that just "4 d'Ors in a row" vs "Euro Cup". While their gameplay has gradually slowed down, their goal tallies aren't. Even now, oppponents feel that if they were to clash, they would clash 10 players of Barcelona with theirs'. But would require 10 more to clash with Leo Messi. While the gladiators at the Serie A think that Cristiano Ronaldo will be that one card in the Old Lady's deck, that will prove its significance when the time comes. Feels like the two vintner are ageing like the wines they make.

In probably 7 more years, Football will comeback to being a game of 11 players playing as a team. Records will remain unbroken for 25 years or maybe 50. Hattricks would mark that a player played extremely well, unlike these two. For them, hattricks were like silly records. Free-kick goals would be a bliss to watch. 50 goals a season would be whale-like target. But the two names, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will stay forever. Even now we name Jaden Sancho, Ousmane Dembele and Paulo Dybala as 'Next Messi'.

Even now we tag Mbappe, Joao Felix and Joao Filipe as the 'Next Ronaldo'. Even after 30 years, we will bring their names for reference. Their records made today, who knows, might stay unbeaten till then.