Fan Tries To Prove Lionel Messi Is Better Than Cristiano Ronaldo In International Football
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One thing that is often argued puts Lionel Messi behind rival Cristiano Ronaldo is his lack of success on the international stage, but one fan has argued the Barcelona man is actually better than his rival in that sphere too.
Some even believe the lack of international trophies, especially with no World Cup winners medal, makes the Argentina forward lacking behind his rivals when it comes to the debate about the greatest ever.
Ronaldo's success at Euro 2016, coupled with multiple final failures for Argentina and Messi at the World Cup and Copa Americas, means it's a real stick to beat Messi with.
However one fan has claimed it's not that simple, and put together a thread of why the Barca legend is better than his rival when it comes to international football.
A thread on why Messi :flag_ar: is better than Ronaldo :flag_pt: on the international stage - without doubt
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
:point_down: pic.twitter.com/w7pSv9h1dB
Best tournament performance:
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
Messi :flag_ar: - Copa 16
:three::six::five: Mins
:five: Goals
:four: Assists
:four::one: Mins p/ G/A
:three: MOTM
:eight:.:nine::six: Rating
CR :flag_pt: - Euro 16
:six::zero::zero: Mins
:three: Goals
:two: Assists
:one::two::zero: Mins p/ G/A
:two: MOTM
:seven:.:three::four: Rating
Messi in 1/2 the minutes had better stats by a long way. pic.twitter.com/pP80MlGerG
Number of teams they have played more than twice without scoring:
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
Messi - :zero:
Ronaldo - :five:
ALB :flag_al: - 5 games
FRA :flag_fr: - 4 games
GER :flag_de: -4 games
BRA :flag_br: -3 games
ENG :flag_black: -3 games
This shows Ronaldo's struggles v top teams. pic.twitter.com/4xe0VgMacK
Outside of Euro qualifiers, Ronaldo scores 0.52 goals per game.
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
In Euro qualifiers he scores 0.88 goals per game.
This shows that his goal record benefits largely from Euro qualifiers and the weaker teams that he gets to play. pic.twitter.com/bobMPQ1iF3
Messi has scored a lot in friendlies - Brazil hattrick being the most prominent example.
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
Friendly win v Brazil :flag_br: =
:five::nine::one: Ranking points
Euro draw v Hungary :flag_hu: =
:four::four::two: points
Euro qualifier win v Andorra :flag_ad: =
:four::nine::seven: points
FIFA rate the Brazil win the tougher of all 3 pic.twitter.com/oFUFXbgZhQ
Lastly a contentious issue -
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
Average Rating.
Alone it doesnt mean much, but with everything else in this thread it is telling.
Since 09/10 for their country in Major tournaments:
Messi :flag_ar: - :eight:.:four::five:
Ronaldo :flag_pt: - :seven:.:four::eight:
Again a huge difference. pic.twitter.com/RnPvq71NEZ
International records:
- Spooner (@lionelstat) July 23, 2020
Ronaldo :flag_pt:
-1 of only 4 to score in :four: different WC finals
-Oldest player to score a WC hattrick
33 Years and 130 days
-Most national teams scored against - :four::one:
-First player to score in :one::zero: consecutive tournaments pic.twitter.com/QVbls52tWZ
Messi's final heartache saw Argentina lose 1-0 in extra time to Germany in the World Cup back in 2014 but he's come even closer in South America's continental competition.
In both 2015 and 2016 he was in the team as Chile beat Argentina on penalties twice. Barcelona's all time top scorer converted his spot kick in the 2015 final but missed in 2016.
Messi also lost in the 3-0 final defeat to rivals Brazil in the 2007 final and time is running out for his luck to change in international finals.
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Will Messi ever win an international trophy or will it haunt his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Topics: Football News, World Football, Barcelona, Serie A, Lionel Messi, International Football, Portugal, Juventus, Argentina, World Cup, Spain, Euros, Cristiano Ronaldo, La Liga, Italy, European Football
