National team impact
Lionel Messi has at various points of his international career been accused of failing to come close to replicating his Barcelona form when in Argentina colours. To a large degree that may be a fair criticism though is perhaps more an indictment of his national team colleagues than any failing on his behalf.
That said, over the past couple of years Messi has shone in a big way when in the blue and white of his national team.
Though last summer’s award as the best player at the 2014 World Cup finals was unjustified there is still no denying he made a real impact at the highest level possible.
The Rosario born star is Argentina’s sixth highest capped player in history and only Gabriela Batistuta has netted more goals for La Albiceleste and we are talking about a player who is just 27 years of age….
Cristiano Ronaldo arguably has less to work with when it comes to using his individual talents to propel Portugal to major successes but that hasn’t stopped him trying manfully to achieve just that.
Nothing more exemplifies his desire to do so than the hat-trick he fired in against Sweden in Portugal’s all important 2014 World Cup qualifying play-off.
In all honesty if Ronaldo has a bad day, or is not fit for duty, then Portugal are a shadow of themselves. Though the Portuguese would clearly not want it to be the case they are most definitely a one man team and at times that has weighed heavily on Ronaldo’s shoulders, as evident at this summer’s World Cup finals.
The 29 year old has netted goals in six major finals, his total of 117 caps is just ten shy of record holder Luis Figo and his 52 goal haul is second to none.
Lionel Messi: 9/10
Cristiano Ronaldo: 10/10