The debate about Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) will never end, and has swung hands in recent years, but a recent revival from the former suggests Messi could be back on top again.
The Real Madrid forward recently won his second Ballon d’Or in as many years, after incredible consistency in both the Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League. There could be little doubt who was the best player in the world at the time, but things have quickly changed.
Ronaldo ended the year considerably ahead of Lionel Messi on league goals, but the Argentine is now level with the Portuguese international in March. Messi recently bagged a record-breaking hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano which caps an incredible turnaround for the academy starlet, and was his second treble in only a matter of weeks too.
This is the Lionel Messi who has won four Ballon d’Or awards, and has been in the top-three every single year since winning his first. He’s never going to be far away from Ronaldo if the Barcelona man is ever behind him in the rankings, and based on current form he may be reclaiming his throne.
With 10 goals scored and six assists made in his last nine games in all competitions, there are few people in better form than Messi. Ronaldo hasn’t been terrible – scoring six in his last 10 – but he’s scored more than one goal in a game only once in his last 12 in all competitions, which is a lull by his standards.
Previously it seemed as if the two forwards couldn’t get any better averaging a goal a game in the league, and consistency surpassing 25 and 30 goals in a campaign, but once again they continue to surprise everybody improve and strive for more.
Messi’s resurgence has coincided with Barcelona’ rise up the table, with the Catalan giants finding themselves above Real Madrid in the league for the first time in months. The title is now in their hands, after missing out on the final day of last season, and Messi is certainly the man to thank.
He’s finally find his scoring boots, and Barcelona have consistently been winning as a result. It’s come at a bad time for Real Madrid as their own manager has recently criticised the, for being selfish in possession, while currently enduring a slump in form too. But as for the Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo debate, has the Argentine edged in front?
