[tinyowl]

Agreed that Ronaldo is a great player. I respect him for his skill and hard work and he may be the most altruistic person in the world for all I know (and I don't really care,) I just suspect I would not be drawn to him based on the on field drama, and of course I could be wrong.

I played soccer for many many years and still play. When I miss a goal or feel I am fouled, long before Messi or Ronaldo came on the scene, I intuitively behaved like Messi, not Ronaldo. It's almost like the extremes of the two ways you handle yourself on the field (well, there is a third - neither of them are nasty like Ramos, which is of course a valid style too.)

But as for my kids? I'd rather they be terrible at soccer and carry themselves like Messi than be great players ad yet be dramatic on or off the field in a whiny way like Ronaldo. I'd even prefer a mischievous Ramos. Luckily, my opinion doesn't matter :-)

But to your point, I'll take nothing from Ronaldo's skill or hard work. May that work never pay off against Barcelona.

[neverevergiveup]

I agree with everything you said, and think it's great you're still playing. Messi, to me, is absolutely the best player in the world now, if not of all time. It's not just his technical skills. He's also an incredibly smart footballer, with great field vision. I feel very lucky to see him play.

[dfwgator]

But I still say.....Ronaldo Good, Messi Better, George Best!