FIFA Ballon d'Or: Messi 4 - 2 Cristiano Ronaldo

After a phenomenal season which has seen him score 69 goals in 59 appearances for club and country; a tally more than his Ballon d'Or rivals Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery's combined total of 65, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his second Ballon d'Or since 2008, which has inevitably resurfaced comparisons with his No 1 rival, Messi.

Hlabangani Mtshali and yours truly discussed the ongoing debate on who the better player is between the Portuguese superstar and the Argentine wizard.

Hlabangani Mtshali: If anyone bought that golden ball, it's CR7 (Ronaldo).

Sabelo Mashego: I respect Leo (Messi), he's already a legend-and-all but Ronaldo eclipsed him last season. Fair and square.

HM: Messi got injured didn't he?

SM: Yes, but late in the year, just before the deadline for casting votes for the Ballon d'Or.
I presume you feel the same way about Ronaldo as you do about Lil'Wayne. At least acknowledge that the guy (Ronaldo) is good. I know you don't rate Wayne probably of the simple reason of you not liking him? I speak under correction.

HM: Exactly! Except that Lil"Wayne sucks. Ronaldo is good sure case, not as good as people say he is though.

SM: I think there's an extremely thin line between Ronaldo not being as good as people say he is AND people refusing to give him the credit he deserves.
My opinion? Messi is probably better yes, it's just fun being part of the minority that support Ronaldo in this debate. I also think anti-Ronaldo people are too proud (ironically) to admit that Ronaldo has proven them wrong, so they're stuck with their persistence of Ronaldo being overrated.

It's similar to the Nas VS Jay-Z scenario, Ronaldo being Jay-Z in this case. Now I do not know a lot about Nas but he's apparently good. I don't remember hearing any guy say Jigga is better than Nas. In fact, some people would go as far as saying Jigga sucks and is overrated. Just like I've heard people go as far as saying Ronaldo sucks. Does Jay-Z suck? Of course not.

HM: Perhaps, but the problem is that Ronaldo's 'greatness' came before he'd even proven anything. Hype was bigger than the actual skill and they (hype around him and his skill) were never proportional.
Plus, Ronaldo's personality does not help him; but I've found that it's always you Man. United guys that are his supporters.

Jay-Z WAS better (than Nas) for a long time but he's terrible now, he's a shadow of the rapper he once was. His last album is horrible. Nas is better.

SM: Such is the power of the British media; was Ronaldo once overrated? Yes. Of course that fact had a lot to do about him having played for United, a franchise which was born to generate hype. Hype was bigger than his actual skill, granted. Is the hype still bigger than his actual skill now? I don't think so.

And that's what I'm fighting for.
He's earned it. He's realised his potential, something that anti-Ronaldo people thought he'd never do and they still refuse to acknowledge that he's done it. He's too cocky at times yes, and human instinct makes us automatically overlook at that person's abilities because of their excessive ego; but I choose to consider his actual talent more than others. I think it's unfair to consider a player's personality when assessing his ability. Is he better than Messi? My mind says no but my heart says yes. Is he on the same level as Messi? Absolutely.

HM: The hype still overshadows his talent because it's grown with it. Cristiano's one of the best? No doubt. He's one of the best with an awesome PR team.

SM: (chuckles)....I think we've reached parity as far as this conversation is concerned then. You've acknowledged that he's up there with the best, albeit with a bit of a slap in the face. You think the hype is a factor in him being where he is now. That's arguable and is a debate point itself. I say his talent and hard work are a bigger factor than the hype as far as where he at the moment, is concerned.
Typical United fans will tell you that Ronaldo is better than Messi regardless. That's a bit of wishful thinking.

HM: Wouldn't say parity, just me not being a hater. He's good. Messi's God.

As a media practitioner and scholar, you know how much of a role media and PR plays in shaping opinion; to the point where people start believing those opinions as their own. The initial over-inflated hype was made worse by him getting better. Yeah, Messi is the greatest I've seen with my own two. He makes it look sooo easy whereas Ronaldo looks like he's working hard.

SM: Yeah, goes back to the Man. United factor. The media is overwhelming when it comes to anything United, that's why David Beckham was considered a Galactico even before his subsequent move to Real Madrid. But he wasn't considered as one of the best in the world when he was at the peak of his powers as a footballer because he wasn't as talented as Ronaldo. I don't hate against Messi, he is better. As much as I prefer Ronaldo, I know exactly where he stands in the pecking order.
And yes, he works harder than Messi.

HM: Prime example is Beckham...he understood it (hype around him) and milked it; he could play but the hype made him seem like he was top five, 'dead or alive'.
And it does look like Ronaldo is working hard to be on the same level as Messi. Messi looks effortless.

SM: Messi is dog. Ronaldo is regarded as the sole competitor to him ON THE PITCH and rightly so. Hype and-all aside.

HM: Because who else is there??
They play the same role for two of the biggest teams, practically the only teams in Spain. It's not like the audience is spoilt for choice.

SM: And that's how good they are; no one else is there, unfortunately.

*Good to be back blogging again after a six-month disappearance which can be blamed on time strain from hectic working hours and gym. Hope this post is a start of a more consistent run this year. Happy New Year everyone.

*Hlabangani is a good friend of mine.