Stats 'Prove' Lionel Messi Is Better Than Cristiano Ronaldo

The eternal debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi seems to come down to preference but it could be a lot more simple than that because the stats suggest Messi's been the best for the last 10 years.

Earlier this week Pele managed to rule himself out of the debate about who the greatest footballer of all time is. Plenty of people already figured the Brazil legend was a fraud but he pretty much outed himself this week.

The former Santos forward's favourite goal was one he scored in 1959 and wasn't recorded by anyone so a video emerged of an animation of his description, and it's clearly nonsense.

That leaves us debating whether or not Diego Maradona was better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi because everyone else ends up pretty much forgotten in this debate.

Of course it's likely that we'll never be able to end the debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, what with each man having his millions of fanboys.

The two men have shared 10 Ballon d'Ors in the last 11 years, only not winning last year, with five for each of them.

So you'd think that it'd be close between them on who the best was each season, but that's not the case. According to their average rating each year on Whoscored, via Givemesport, Messi has won eight of the last 10, is ahead this year and there's been one draw.

2018/19 (so far)

Lionel Messi - 8.5
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.8

2017/18

Lionel Messi - 8.7
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.9

2016/17

Lionel Messi - 8.5
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7.6

Messi is well ahead of his rival this season. Image: Whoscored.com

2015/16

Lionel Messi - 8.5
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.0

2014/15

Lionel Messi - 8.8
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.5

2013/14

Lionel Messi - 8.3
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.3

2012/13

Lionel Messi - 8.8
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.2

2011/12

Lionel Messi - 8.9
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.3

2010/11

Lionel Messi - 8.8
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.3

2009/10

Lionel Messi - 8.7
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8.5

Messi and Ronaldo agree to never talk about which one of them is better. Image: PA Images

Ronaldo is likely to win another league title for another team in another country. In his first season in Serie A Juventus are 11 points clear of second place Napoli.

Messi too should add to his collection of league titles with Barcelona six points clear of Real Madrid but it'll be very interesting to see if either can win the Champions League this season.

Will Messi finish the season as the better man once again?

Topics: Football News, Manchester United, Barcelona, Serie A, Lionel Messi, Sporting, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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