Why the world would love a messed up Messi than a ‘hat trick’ Ronaldo - EDITORIAL

20 June 2018 12:02 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Unlike in politics in sports the clever often rise to the top. On the top comes the distinction. The world would never shy away from distinguishing the one who is both clever and good against the clever and the bad. It is this that sees the world adoring a Roger Federer against a Rafael Nadal and a Lionel Messi against a Cristiano Ronaldo. The bad here does not mean bad in an unwholesome sense. It’s just that they are being too loud, pompous, arrogant and also perhaps ‘not decent enough’. Closer to home there’s Sachin Tendulkar for the ‘good boy’ example while a super talented, but incorrigibly arrogant Virat Kolhi is the anathema of many cricketing nations.

With Lionel Messi messing up Argentina’s first match, reigning champions Germany being beaten by a mediocre Mexico and hot favoruites Brazil held to a draw by Switzerland, the first few days of the ongoing FIFA World Cup saw quite a few upsets. Messi was later quoted as saying his missed penalty against debutante Iceland ‘hurt’ him a lot. It should be as the same day saw his nemesis Portugal skipper flamboyant Cristiano Ronaldo scoring three goals against Spain thus earning a draw with his neighbour.

Argentina, which is slated to play the next match against a dominant Croatia which beat Nigeria 2-0 on Sunday, however was fortunate enough to tie the match with Iceland 1-1.

Ronaldo’s hat trick on Saturday certainly was feted. However one cannot help, but wonder what would have happened if it was Messi who scored the three goals instead of the 33- year-old golden boy of Real Madrid. Certainly the world would have loved it better. On the other hand if it was Ronaldo who missed the penalty instead of Messi soccer fans would have bad mouthed the Portuguese skipper saying ‘It’s all his big talk, but no work”. Instead when Lionel Messi missed the penalty the soccer fans across the globe too moped with him. Besides it was obvious that Argentina’s defence was palpably weak and it really made matters difficult for Messi.

There’s no doubt that Ronaldo is a legend. This Real Madrid forward’s step overs, fancy passes and tricks are so magical that they have inspired hundreds of millions of youngsters across the globe. His FIFA hat-trick on Saturday which took him closer to the title of greatest ever footballer of all time reminded one of his similar feats against Sweden in the 2014 World Cup.

However Ronaldo is also extremely arrogant and doesn’t hesitate to make statements that he is better than Messi, who is two years his junior. The Portuguese skipper is better known for his Hollywood style life, flashy cars and flamboyant private life with regular link ups that often make it to the gossip magazines. Ronaldo is also a born marketer, a brand himself with his good looks and he had marketed himself as no sportsman has ever marketed himself.

Messi on the other hand takes his stardom in stride. His modesty and dignity have earned him respect even among the bulk of Ronaldo fans, something that Ronaldo doesn’t enjoy among Messi’s fans. The ever loyal family man and good boy even just before FIFA, Messi was quoted as saying that he considered himself a very ordinary player in the Argentina team. This Barcelona superstar keeps a low profile and leads an unruffled private life that often it’s only his talent that makes it to news media. Besides just like Roger Federer, Messi is endowed with a childlike quality that has endeared him even more to the audience so much so that they don’t want to see him losing a match and turn sulky.

Iceland’s goal keeper Hannes Halldorsson who stopped Messi’s spot kick on Saturday understandably said “it’s a dream come true” for him.

In a world where people lose their heads to power and popularity archetypes like Messi and Federer always raise hopes that one can be both the best in the game and also be respectable.

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Comments - 19

Jd Cap Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:52 AM

Not really as you think. The world no more cares about the truths. Lies are becoming truth and the truth are becoming lies. Things that make sense make sense no more and it is the way the world is turning now and that is why despite of all of messi mediocre performances over the years some are regarding him as the greatest player in the history of the game but in reality that claim doesn't make sense and has no magnitude for a guy who's only exceptional for club team and hasn't been tested beyond his boarders. A guy who only depends on home turf to be magical and that is why he tends to struggle out of barcelona, and also this is why he doesn't score too many goals away from the camp nou and wouldn't play for another club apart from Barcelona. The world has never been fair, things are always shipped by the elite and the rest of us follow. The elite hailed messi and give him all the hype and we the grassroots see Ronaldo as the greatest and love him.

fundi mangungu Wednesday, 20 June 2018 04:56 AM

Heheheeeeee! my friend you are on your own in this heavily biased opinion. CR7 is CR7 and Messi is Messi two different players and conclusively CR7 is the best. He just delivers goals,whether sorrounded by other stars or not.The other issues, just talk to fill up your articles.

ricky Wednesday, 20 June 2018 08:46 AM

Messi is the best. Ronaldo is a good attacker but messy is all brains.

sebastian Wednesday, 20 June 2018 08:48 AM

like like both the boys they are so differently talented. But agree one cannot help loving messi for being the gentleman he is.

raza Wednesday, 20 June 2018 08:48 AM

messi is undoubtedly a legend, there's no match to him

carlo Wednesday, 20 June 2018 08:51 AM

one cannot help loving messi and envying ronaldo. messi is relatable where as ronaldo is someone not one of usCarlo

nuwan Wednesday, 20 June 2018 09:08 AM

Both are good, agree that Ronaldo is terrific but messi too is the same in his own way. both are legends

lucky Wednesday, 20 June 2018 09:11 AM

Everyone likes Messi but Ronaldo is incomparable, however unlike messi he has haters for being so flashy

victor Wednesday, 20 June 2018 09:15 AM

I respect this opinion, everyone is entitled to his or hers. But I think CR is better than LM.

Suleiman Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:28 AM

Both of them are great of all time based on their individual achievement. Ronaldo start before Messi, but i prefer L. Messi as the greatest ever.

Terry Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:40 AM

There is no doubt, CR7 is better than messi ,with four champios league! Four balloon d'or in the last five years.there is no doubt He is the greatest ever

Delahi Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:44 PM

Cr 7 or messi ? Who is best. Just watch messi is no. 1 Dribbler, creating chanches, n one big thing he generally played from midfield but his goal tally matched with cr7 who generally played in D area.

nalin perera Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:45 PM

One cannot accept the writers comments about Rafael Nadal. He is as humble as any Tennis player going around. For someone who does not have the natural talent like Federer it is simply awesome that he has won 17 Majors.

king Wednesday, 20 June 2018 02:15 PM

so u think argentina s happy cuz messi messed up

finn christensen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 02:25 PM

No doubt messi is world best player.To call Ronaldo one of the best is just not right.He is strong and very experienced in front of goal and a star. But like in music, the biggest stars does`nt have to be the best musicians. Messi and a few others have so much more.Ronaldo work so hard to play and look what he call handsome, but Messi is a naturel and intelligent player. I`ve seen them all since the days of Pele and had my heros over the years, but have to say, Messi is the best I`ve seen.

MFSL Wednesday, 20 June 2018 06:26 PM

I don't know about Messi and Ronaldo to comment...but I certainly know about Nadal and Federer. And the author doesnt know what he's writing where these two are concerned... the arrogant one if at all of the two is Federer and not Nadal.....if at all the difference some say is Federer is more gifted than Nadal, whereas Nadal has more power....not that one is a better person than the other.

lula Thursday, 21 June 2018 08:35 AM

messi is classy

federer fan Thursday, 21 June 2018 08:59 AM

I think nadal is more arrogant than Federer...agree with writer. But then others too are entitled to their opinion.

rafa Thursday, 21 June 2018 09:16 AM

messi and ronaldo both are good humanbeings.

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Why the world would love a messed up Messi than a ‘hat trick’ Ronaldo - EDITORIAL

Comments - 19

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