One strange thing about Cristiano Ronaldo arguments though is the way many argue like he was just some plodding goal machine with technical limitations. Before Ronaldo became a goal machine, he was already being compared to George Best by many United legends (including George Best himself who said that it was the first time such a comparison was a compliment to him). I remember the very first game I watched Ronaldo for Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly against Man U (I think the Utd players demanded Fergie sign him after that match) where he ripped them to shreds and he looked the trickiest winger I had ever watched. Also remember teh first time he played against Arsenal and I couldn't recall Ashley Cole looking that clueless against anyone before as Ronaldo ran him ragged. I think a lot of people underrate Ronaldo's technical ability just because he's not Messi.

Original Ronaldo was brilliant but I do also feel like he gets overrated because of the fact we never got to see him at his peak because of injury. It would have been interesting to see what he could have done ant Inter who weren’t really a top European side at the time (more like one tier below). Equally I think many underestimated just how incredible Cristiano was.

Maybe there’s a debate that original Ronaldo was more gifted but again that does underestimate Cristiano’s talents because his professionalism was second to none.

Original Ronaldo has one amazing season, Cristiano had about 10.

R9

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 55 minutes ago
Cristiano Ronaldo was better overall. More creative, more precise finishing, better in the air, more intelligent movement. Ronaldo de Lima was technically superior with better balance and more nimble footwork. They have a lot in common in their strength and explosive athleticism and 2-footed shooting.
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How can you say Cristiano's finishing was more precise?

For years at Madrid, he was a percentages finisher. Perhaps the most frequent reason he got booed at the Bernabéu was for taking speculative 'glory shots; instead of passing to a better placed team mate. The number of times he put the ball in row Z was astonishing.

The original Ronaldo was far more precise, I mean far more.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 55 minutes ago
Cristiano Ronaldo was better overall. More creative, more precise finishing, better in the air, more intelligent movement. Ronaldo de Lima was technically superior with better balance and more nimble footwork. They have a lot in common in their strength and explosive athleticism and 2-footed shooting.
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How can you say Cristiano's finishing was more precise?

For years at Madrid, he was a percentages finisher. Perhaps the most frequent reason he got booed at the Bernabéu was for taking speculative 'glory shots; instead of passing to a better placed team mate. The number of times he put the ball in row Z was astonishing.

The original Ronaldo was far more precise, I mean far more.
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I'm talking about his efficiency with good chances, and not his proclivity for risky, speculative, 40-yard efforts. Cristiano Ronaldo was an outstanding finisher.

If I had a cup final I'd probably take R9 pretty comfortably, but over the course of a season I'd probably go for CR7, but not such an easy pick.

R9 edges it for me. I don't really like CR7 but he's an absolute machine at what he does/did.

So what you're saying is Cristiano was better at tap-ins? Based on? Was Ronaldo comparatively profligate with good chances? I certainly don't remember him being so.

The one thing I would say was that Cristiano was more active in games and got himself into shooting positions more frequently. That doesn't make him a more efficient finisher though.

2 goals from CR7 tonight. His longevity is incredible.

R9 was finished along time at 39 years old.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 42 minutes ago
So what you're saying is Cristiano was better at tap-ins? Based on? Was Ronaldo comparatively profligate with good chances? I certainly don't remember him being so.

The one thing I would say was that Cristiano was more active in games and got himself into shooting positions more frequently. That doesn't make him a more efficient finisher though.
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So if I say CR7 is a better finisher, that must mean that R9 was "comparatively profligate"?

It's not about tap-ins. The way CR7 could finish from any position, on either foot or with his head. I'd trust him with a crucial chance more than just about anyone I've watched other than Messi. And yes, he had better instinctive movement to get himself into those scoring positions.

comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 20 minutes ago
2 goals from CR7 tonight. His longevity is incredible.

R9 was finished along time at 39 years old.
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Longevity is a different argument.

comment by T-BAD (U11806)
posted 55 minutes ago
If I had a cup final I'd probably take R9 pretty comfortably, but over the course of a season I'd probably go for CR7, but not such an easy pick.

R9 edges it for me. I don't really like CR7 but he's an absolute machine at what he does/did.
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Really. You'd pick R9 in a cup final? I loathed Ronaldo and Real Madrid and Ronaldo was the ultimate big game player who was annoyingly influential in an incredible number of big moments through his career.

While I might concede R9 was more entertaining to watch, I think a lot of people's personal dislike of CR7 as a character influences their perception.

Ultimately, they're both forwards and you simply can't argue against the reality that CR7's numbers are better - whether peak-on-peak comparisons or consistency. Unlike Messi who is a creative force with more nuances to his game, you can't really argue that there are more dimensions to R9's game that could make him better than CR7.

Think cr7 gets underrated, based on this thread

R9 was great but sadly short lived. CR7 is a top 5-10 player of all time.

comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted 6 hours, 16 minutes ago
R9 was great but sadly short lived. CR7 is a top 5-10 player of all time.
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If I created a separate article with below question in capitals and bold, with stars and neon lights and stuff all over the question, what would be your answer?

"Who was the better player? Not who had the better career which is CR7 but at their peak who was the better player?"

"Who was the better player? Not who had the better career which is CR7 but at their peak who was the better player?"

That is what I thought was being asked? maybe some didn't read the OP and I get why some like CR7 better and think he was the better player but what you said is the way I thought about it, was good to have some decent football chatter again though

comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted 6 hours, 16 minutes ago
R9 was great but sadly short lived. CR7 is a top 5-10 player of all time.
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If I created a separate article with below question in capitals and bold, with stars and neon lights and stuff all over the question, what would be your answer?

"Who was the better player? Not who had the better career which is CR7 but at their peak who was the better player?"
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Goofy R10 'inho

Original Ronaldo has one amazing season, Cristiano had about 10.
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