With Real Madrid and Barcelona toe-to-toe for the top spot in Spain's La Liga, the Lionel Messi - Cristiano Ronaldo comparison is alive again.
Actually, it never really died. Whether the two players are on a roll or struggling, fans will continue to argue which one is better. Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo has more goals in the Spanish league with 42 compared to Lionel Messi who has 40.
However, because of the Argentinian football superstar's brilliant display in the semis of Champions League vs Bayern Munich, his fans believe they have a good point.
Lionel Messi - Cristiano Ronaldo comparison might never ever die. For the rest of football fans' lives, these two will always be part of conversations on who is the greatest ever to play the game.
While supporters continue with their Lionel Messi - Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons, Diego Maradona, an Argentinian legend who is considered as one of the best footballers of all time, does not want to jump in. Instead, he thinks the debate should not even exist because the two are even.
"It's not the case that Messi is better than Ronaldo or Ronaldo is better than Messi. I think they are at the same level," Maradona told Sky Sports.
However, Maradona thinks there is one part where Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi, that is in scaring opponents' goalkeeper.
"Cristiano is a predator in front of goal," he said. "You can't let Cristiano shoot from anywhere in the opposition half. Goalkeepers are scared of him. You have to be honest, goalkeepers are scared of Cristiano. They are not so scared of Messi in those areas because he doesn't have the same power as Cristiano."
"Cristiano is an incredible professional. I think at this present time he is right up there at Messi's level."
Real Madrid and Barcelona are currently fighting for a UCL finals spot. However, Cristiano Ronaldo's team are in a tight spot as they trailed Juventus in the first leg, 1-2, while Lionel Messi's team hold a comfortable advantage over Bayern Munich going into 2nd leg with 3-0 victory at Camp Nou.
