Lionel Messi: Cristiano Ronaldo will never match Barcelona star due to one thing - pundit

Posted Thursday, March 15, 2018 by Express.co.uk

LIONEL MESSI proved once again why he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time in Barcelona's win over Chelsea last night, and Rio Ferdinand has noticed one thing he does that Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't do.

Barcelona held the advantage over Chelsea heading into the second leg having scored the all-important away goal at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago.

The Blues entered the game having not lost in their previous four trips to the Nou Camp but a Messi-inspired performance led Barcelona to victory.

The 30-year-old scored after just three minutes to set his side on their way before providing an assist for Ousmane Dembele to double their lead.

Messi then scored his 100th Champions League goal in the second half to all-but kill any hopes of a Chelsea fightback.

His performance once again drew praise from several pundits and brought up the comparisons between the small forward and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The La Liga duo have shared the last 10 Ballon d'Or's between them and have broken numerous records between them.

But Manchester United legend Ferdinand believes Messi stands above Ronaldo in one aspect of his game.

"I think him and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best players," Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"The difference between the both of them is that Cristiano goes out there and his mindset is 'give me the ball in the areas where I can score a goal'.

"He's an out-and-out goalscorer. Cristiano Ronaldo isn't bothered about being on the halfway line playing at the rhythm of the game, he wants to be at the cutting knife-edge of the game.

"Whereas Messi, you sometimes see him in the defensive midfielder position picking up the ball, playing one-twos, just playing with the opposition.

"He's involved in the rhythm of the game constantly and that's the difference between the two players."