Why Gerrard and Iniesta are better than Messi and Ronaldo

omgukilledkenny SG

All we’ve been reading about these past few weeks is Messi this, Ronaldo that. The seemingly never ending debate on which player is the best has granted, been a whole load of fun, yet for me it’s also been tiresome in equal measure.

There can be no doubt that Lionel Messi won his individual battle with Cristiano Ronaldo in Rome but does that really make him the world’s greatest footballer?

My inclination is that Ronaldo and Messi are the two most ‘dangerous’ players on the planet. One with his power and technique is the perfect Premier League specimen, the other with his craft and skill, the epitome of Spanish football at its best. They are the ultimate match winners. But are they the best?

Personally, I think not.

For all their skill, speed and trickery both superstars have areas of their game that remain distinctly average. All-round footballers they are not.

I’d like to think that the world’s best player should excel in almost every way. They should be complete. They should be the most influential player on the pitch, almost every time they step onto the grass.

With that in mind, can you think of two players who can top Steven Gerrard and Andres Iniesta? They have power, pace, skill, vision, endeavour, defensive nous, leadership, craft, goals, creativity, temperament….they have the lot.

I nominate Iniesta as the best player in the world as of today. Who gets your vote?

gigabyte14 SG

think messi best

hamidisaidi SG

Iniesta maybe yes but Gerrard for me, No! All he mainly does is goes for hollywood balls and takes pot shots. He cannot control the midfield area. His positional sense is lacking. Thats why the spanish waiter pushed him further forward and have alonso and masch behind. That is also why Lampard and Gerrard combo failed for England coz Gerrard leaves spaces behind him when he goes forward without thinking..

hamidisaidi SG

ooh..forgot one more thing...he dives as well

limpper SG

gerrard himself said before he's still far away from the standard of xavi.

i will say, iniesta, xavi, messi, eto form a very scary attacking play

omgukilledkenny SG

The comments made by some readers from soccerlens also quite interesting..

Here's one about Ronaldo

Kartik Krishnaiyer

Ronaldo shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same class with these other players. Iniesta, Gerrard, MEssi and FRANK LAMPARD are all a class above Ronaldo. So is Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs for United.

Ronaldo’s success has entirely been against English teams. English clubs, and English national team. His profile has been elevated by an English media anxious to anoint someone at an English club who had defeated England at the national team level as some sort of conqueror, some sort of new Cryuff, Pele or Eusiebo. Here are the facts on Ronaldo- his greatest success has been due to other players- Figo, Rui Costa, Giggs, Rooney etc. It is a myth that he is somehow on the level of Xavi, Inesita, Messi, Riberry, Gerrard, or even Rooney himself.

His performance for Portugal in key games most recently the Euros against Germany show he is not a truly world class player- a good one yes. Someone who can excel with a lot of talent around hime playing well, yes.

His list of real bad performances include Portugal’s last few qualifiers under Carlos Quieroz who he has a strong bond with, the 2008 Euros vs Germany, the 2006 World Cup vs France and the Euro 2004 final vs Greece.

His success has been entirely confined to matches against England, English clubs or lesser European nations and clubs. Gerrard on the other hand and Lampard also have raised their game when they need to. Rooney is the one truly world class English player who could fit in seamlessly in Serie A or La Liga without the usual acclimation process it takes for an English player in a league with different tactics and wider pitches.

Man U fans should embrace Rooney, who after all is English before Ronaldo. So should the British media.

Poolman SG

Ok ma , the rating of Gerrard and Iniesta .

Gerrard can attack , score goals , defend ... Iniesta can play-make , can score , can defend in midfield ..

Messi is not a capable defending player , so to Ronaldo .

Upfront , yes , they are better than Iniesta and myabe Gerrard , but overall .

Overall is the key word !!

brokenluv SG

The comments made by some readers from soccerlens also quite interesting..

Here's one about Ronaldo

hmmm.. very interesting.. i cant totally agree with him but some points he raised is quite true.

sg_forum SG

Each player has their own skills & abilities...but overall, I think Iniesta is the best currently.

Babyball77 SG

to my thinking is that they need their teammates to support them......football is team work not one player alone can go all the way........

HyuugaNeji SG

I think no one can match ronaldo in 2008 cos he got skills + dive.

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1) SG

For C.Ronaldo can go other clubs lia0, onli free kick zai, diving 70% tio card....

The Best is PELE

brokenluv SG

how about maradona or messi =D they scored with their hands too

Aang SG

iniesta is gd but i tink xavi is gd also

dinky1409 SG

iniesta owns all..

Marco_Simone SG

Ya right!

Gerrard is overrated! Poor guy can't pass or control the ball properly for gawd's sake! He likes to whack the ball but only 1 of 10 is on target and then the media raves about it like nothing before...