Any tournament that has Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing in it immediately makes these two superstars the talking points. And the 2018 World Cup is no different.
Both Ronaldo and Messi have made very contrasting starts to the tournament with Cristiano being the joint top scorer while Lionel Messi’s Argentina are in serious doubt if they will be able to progress to the knockout stages.
And amongst this frenzy, almost everyone is drawing comparisons between the two players and this time it’s former Wales International Robbie Savage who has an opinion.
Writing for the Mirror, Savage has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo has brought more to the World Cup as compared to Lionel Messi.
Robbie Savage wrote: “Lionel Messi looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders during the national anthems before Argentina’s blow-out against Croatia.
“And he played like it, too.
“One of the sub-plots to this World Cup has been to compare Messi’s influence on Argentina with Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on Portugal.
“Much as I’ve loved watching Messi down the years, Ronaldo has brought more to the party – and not just because of his goals.
“It’s true that Argentina did not get the ball to Messi — certainly not in enough dangerous areas — to hurt Croatia on Thursday.
“Whether you are in Messi’s camp or Ronaldo’s, I have to say it: with the same team-mates around him, I believe Ronaldo would have found a way to influence that game.
“Whether it’s through moments of magic, a winning mentality or the sheer force of his personality, he always comes up trumps.
“That’s why he was a European Championship winner with Portugal two years ago.
“That’s why he has picked up five Champions League winner’s medals with Real Madrid and Manchester United.
“And that’s why I’m convinced he will win a sixth Ballon d’Or this year, and go 6-5 ahead in his race with Barcelona superstar Messi.
“Right now, in the Ronaldo v Messi debate for the ‘greatest player’ accolades, I’m leaning towards the Real Madrid galactico.
Portugal take on Iran in their final Group game of the World Cup and with 4 points in their bag, their progress to the knockout stages is more or less secure.
On the other hand, Argentina take on Nigeria in their first game of the group stages and Lionel Messi’s team will have to win this game and that too with a handsome margin if they wish to have any chance of qualifying to the next level.
Read: Premier League star breaks a 32-year-old World Cup record for Belgium.
Read: Several Premier League clubs dealt with a severe blow as Inter are one step away from signing Ligue 1 midfielder.
Read: West Ham launch a bid for 26-year-old defender who was banned for match fixing.
Read: Steven Gerrard reveals who is the more selfish between Ronaldo and Messi.
