Cristiano Ronaldo - 962/1000

[nuanced]

Didn’t Mendes or Infantino already gift Trump some Cristiano memorabilia a while back? Now we’ve got the full-on bootlicking on prime-time TV.

I’m just waiting for Trump to make a big show of “personally allowing” CR7 back into the U.S. Would finally silence all the fairy tales about how the world’s most marketable player just happened to skip the world’s most commercial market for eight straight years.

 

[DarkLord1984]

Didn’t Mendes or Infantino already gift Trump some Cristiano memorabilia a while back? Now we’ve got the full-on bootlicking on prime-time TV.

I’m just waiting for Trump to make a big show of “personally allowing” CR7 back into the U.S. Would finally silence all the fairy tales about how the world’s most marketable player just happened to skip the world’s most commercial market for eight straight years.

I'm pretty sure he's already allowed in.

 

[Kasper]

It truly is beyond comprehension how any grown up can watch this Homelander parody and defend or praise him.
The narcissism is so off the charts it's unbelievable.

 

[Gehrman]

1000 goals do not matter because Messi's goal ratio is already superior, he has already won much more both individually and collectively and has always been the better allround footballer. Plus so many of those goals by Cristiano were penalties and a number in Saudi.

As for the world cup, Ronaldo has never been a POTT candidate let alone POTT winner and i don't expect this to change. Winning any tournament as the team's best player has a different vibe than just being one of the crowd.

But, ofcourse, his fan boys will always suggest otherwise.

Messi outscored Ronaldo at Club Level in Europe(leagues, domestic cups, cl, el. etc)by 3 goals despite playing less minutes worth of full 150× 90 min games. All these goals in the MLS and Saudi are irrelevant to their legacy and stature.

 

[Fortitude]

This and I fully agree here.

La Liga is definitely stronger and better than the Saudi league—everyone knows that. I’m not sure if Ronaldo was lying, being sarcastic, or speaking genuinely, but if he meant it sincerely, it actually makes sense and seems quite valid.

Ronaldo during his Madrid years, around 2009–2015( I could say before14), and after 2022 (or even 2013 or 2018)are completely different players. Back then, he was a physical monster—jumping higher, faster, more agile, and his shots were insanely powerful. His reaction time was honestly better than it is today. So, from his perspective, saying scoring in La Liga was easier isn’t strange at all. Before his serious knee injury in 2013, he could take free kicks faster and better, more explosively, and more efficiently, which made beating defenders much easier without relying solely on being inside the box.

Then consider the players he played with—Ozil, Di Maria, Modric, Xabi Alonso (long passes), Kroos, full-backs like Marcelo, and elite support striker like Benzema. We don't even need to go into detail or any kind of introduction; everyone knows how technically gifted these players are. Being surrounded by such world-class creators obviously made Ronaldo’s life in his peak a lot easier.

Coaches too—Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Zidane—they’re different in style and management, but one thing they had in common: they brought out the best in Ronaldo. Their tactics suited him perfectly, especially as counter-attacking managers, which fit him like a glove before his knee injury. He was arguably the best transition player in the world at that time. You can’t really say the same for Pioli, Garcia, or Castro in Saudi, even though he’s still scoring a ton of goals there.

And like you said, he’s no longer at his peak physical power—long-range shooting declined, dribbling’s been down for a while, reaction time and speed naturally decrease with age. So now he has to work harder to create space and score, even though he’s still a master. I don’t know exactly what he was thinking, only he knows that, but I can see his point and it’s understandable. Even, La Liga as a whole, including its defenders, is clearly much stronger

I’d liken it someone like Roy Jones Junior - in his prime, he basically untouchable, no matter the calibre of opponent - what was considered world class, he could humiliate literally with his hands behind his back. Fast forward some years and unknowns and considerably lower class opponents relative to his prime, were hitting him, beating him, knocking him out. Those end of career “bums” were harder for him than any so-called monster during his prime.

So for RJJ, a Danny Green (who?) was far tougher than a Bernard Hopkins or James Toney. Context is everything.

 

[Fortitude]

C'mon Ronaldo is bigging up the Saudi pro because he wants his goals to add to his legacy. He still maintains its better than ligue 1. He says the reason its harder to score goals is the heat and becshe says the 26th placed league in the world is harder than its given credit for. In other words he's bigging up the Saudi Pro so enough people will still think he's the best to be prolific there. He didn't mention his age as the factor.


“Even in a bad year [when Al-Nassr finished trophyless], I scored 25 goals. If I played the Premier League now, in a top team, I will score the same! If I had a good team, at 40 years old, I will score the same.”

“They say things about the Saudi league, but they have never been here, they never play here. They don’t know what [it is like] to run in 40 degrees [celsius].”

“And I still continue and I repeat the Saudi League, it’s much, much better than Portuguese League, of course. French league is only PSG. Premier League is good, of course, it is the number one.”

“For me, it’s more easy to score in Spain, than to score in Saudi.”

“Ask the other players if the league is good, don’t ask to me because it’s easy to ask me because I’m always saying that ‘Ah, Cristiano saying that because he plays in Saudi’… No, no. I’ve played everywhere. Everywhere.”

A narcissist is going to struggle with fallibility, I don’t think it’s more complex than that. C.Ronaldo > *; he wouldn’t put any league, team, teammate over himself, or at the expense of himself, so for me, there’s not a chance he bigs up the S.A league or shills it to the detriment of himself.

I think 40-year old C.Ronaldo simply finds the game much harder than 25-year old, superpower C.Ronaldo did, he’s just not going to state why that is because it’s an admittance that he’s fading.

 

[General_Elegancia]

I’d liken it someone like Roy Jones Junior - in his prime, he basically untouchable, no matter the calibre of opponent - what was considered world class, he could humiliate literally with his hands behind his back. Fast forward some years and unknowns and considerably lower class opponents relative to his prime, were hitting him, beating him, knocking him out. Those end of career “bums” were harder for him than any so-called monster during his prime.

So for RJJ, a Danny Green (who?) was far tougher than a Bernard Hopkins or James Toney. Context is everything.

Yeah, RJJ is almost the perfect example of that — both had unmatched athleticism in their prime, and during that time, they were practically unstoppable, reaching some of the greatest peaks in their sports. However, once age started to catch up, everything naturally became more difficult; things just didn’t come as easily as before. The craziest part is that his last fight was only about two years ago, which is wild.

Still, my favorite boxer — since I was a teenager and even now — has always been Hagler. He was my absolute favorite when I was around 16 to 18, right when he was still at his peak . So yes, he was my first ‘real’ love in boxing, and he probably always will be.

 

[Fobal]

I’d liken it someone like Roy Jones Junior - in his prime, he basically untouchable, no matter the calibre of opponent - what was considered world class, he could humiliate literally with his hands behind his back. Fast forward some years and unknowns and considerably lower class opponents relative to his prime, were hitting him, beating him, knocking him out. Those end of career “bums” were harder for him than any so-called monster during his prime.

So for RJJ, a Danny Green (who?) was far tougher than a Bernard Hopkins or James Toney. Context is everything.

A narcissist is going to struggle with fallibility, I don’t think it’s more complex than that. C.Ronaldo > *; he wouldn’t put any league, team, teammate over himself, or at the expense of himself, so for me, there’s not a chance he bigs up the S.A league or shills it to the detriment of himself.

I think 40-year old C.Ronaldo simply finds the game much harder than 25-year old, superpower C.Ronaldo did, he’s just not going to state why that is because it’s an admittance that he’s fading.

La Liga is definitely stronger and better than the Saudi league—everyone knows that. I’m not sure if Ronaldo was lying, being sarcastic, or speaking genuinely, but if he meant it sincerely, it actually makes sense and seems quite valid.

Ronaldo during his Madrid years, around 2009–2015( I could say before14), and after 2022 (or even 2013 or 2018)are completely different players. Back then, he was a physical monster—jumping higher, faster, more agile, and his shots were insanely powerful. His reaction time was honestly better than it is today. So, from his perspective, saying scoring in La Liga was easier isn’t strange at all. Before his serious knee injury in 2013, he could take free kicks faster and better, more explosively, and more efficiently, which made beating defenders much easier without relying solely on being inside the box.

Then consider the players he played with—Ozil, Di Maria, Modric, Xabi Alonso (long passes), Kroos, full-backs like Marcelo, and elite support striker like Benzema. We don't even need to go into detail or any kind of introduction; everyone knows how technically gifted these players are. Being surrounded by such world-class creators obviously made Ronaldo’s life in his peak a lot easier.

Coaches too—Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Zidane—they’re different in style and management, but one thing they had in common: they brought out the best in Ronaldo. Their tactics suited him perfectly, especially as counter-attacking managers, which fit him like a glove before his knee injury. He was arguably the best transition player in the world at that time. You can’t really say the same for Pioli, Garcia, or Castro in Saudi, even though he’s still scoring a ton of goals there.

And like you said, he’s no longer at his peak physical power—long-range shooting declined, dribbling’s been down for a while, reaction time and speed naturally decrease with age. So now he has to work harder to create space and score, even though he’s still a master. I don’t know exactly what he was thinking, only he knows that, but I can see his point and it’s understandable. Even, La Liga as a whole, including its defenders, is clearly much stronger

Fort, General, at any moment Cris was doing any rational assessment, he is just moving posts as it goes to accomodate his narrative. It's not the first time he is doing it, it doesn't even matter if at some point or to some extent sthg. holds some truth in it.
Doing any sort of rational analysis attempt towards what he has said, it's just futile.

 

[Kwabs]

1000 goals do not matter because Messi's goal ratio is already superior, he has already won much more both individually and collectively and has always been the better allround footballer. Plus so many of those goals by Cristiano were penalties and a number in Saudi.

Logically, this is correct, but it doesn't really matter. 1000 goals is such a hallowed number that if he reaches it (pretty likely at this stage), it will be a huge deal. No one really seems to care about goal ratio, just like they don't care about Just Fontaine's in the World Cup or Gerd Muller's in the European Cup. They just look at who has the most goals. CR broke Platini's Euros record, it took him 4 extra tournaments to do it, but nobody cares. They just look at who has the record.

As for the world cup, Ronaldo has never been a POTT candidate let alone POTT winner and i don't expect this to change. Winning any tournament as the team's best player has a different vibe than just being one of the crowd.

Again, it doesn't matter for the sake of narrative. It matters to me and other people who care about things like a player showing they are the best in an international tournament win, but it doesn't matter for millions of other people. It didn't really matter in 2016, when he didn't win the POTT (which really proves that he wasn't that good in the tournament because someone of his profile should have been a shoo-in with an unlikely Portugal win). But the bottom line is that they won. How they did it tends to get lost in the mists of time.

But, ofcourse, his fan boys will always suggest otherwise.

I dont think that it is just his fans who think that way. The bottom line is the bottom line.

 

[StretfordEndFaithful]

Roanldo would never have been the great he is without the personality, its give and take. he was a great footballer, a utd icon, but never a servant of the club nor did he sacrifice as much as Rooney. I love Ronnie but for me Rooney is the player who ought to have a statue one day

 

[Gehrman]

Logically, this is correct, but it doesn't really matter. 1000 goals is such a hallowed number that if he reaches it (pretty likely at this stage), it will be a huge deal. No one really seems to care about goal ratio, just like they don't care about Just Fontaine's in the World Cup or Gerd Muller's in the European Cup. They just look at who has the most goals. CR broke Platini's Euros record, it took him 4 extra tournaments to do it, but nobody cares. They just look at who has the record

I think these days people care more about the specifics. Precisely because we are more anal due to quick acess to information via our smartphones and sorrs of analysis. Otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. There is no really a "they" who is a monolith. Sport journalists are always going to rate players taking the specifics into consideration. For completely casuals who just watch the wc and euros obviously it doesn't matter much.

But even so Maradona untill Messi was always the main rival to Pelé, he'd never be rated such based on his total goals, assists and trophies. Its all about nuance.

 

[SirAF]

I’m just waiting for Trump to make a big show of “personally allowing” CR7 back into the U.S. Would finally silence all the fairy tales about how the world’s most marketable player just happened to skip the world’s most commercial market for eight straight years.

There are zero legal issues preventing Ronaldo from entering the US. This is a misconception that has been explained at great length over the last few years. A quick Google search can tell you that the criminal case was dismissed ages ago and the subsequent civil suit was also thrown out.

 

[SirAF]

953

47 to go

 

[Red_Chick]

+1 penalty.

Penaldo for a reason.

 

[KingEric04]

Messi outscored Ronaldo at Club Level in Europe(leagues, domestic cups, cl, el. etc)by 3 goals despite playing less minutes worth of full 150× 90 min games. All these goals in the MLS and Saudi are irrelevant to their legacy and stature.

Did he? Messi has one more goal in the Big 5 leagues but Ronaldo has more goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo also managed to be a top scorer in the three best leagues in the world. Messi's time in PSG was pretty poor by his standards. He only scored 6 goals in his first season for PSG in the French league.

Ronaldo was a better player than Messi in the Champions league and Messi was slightly better domestically. But what Ronaldo did domestically was pretty underrated. He managed to be lethal in Utd, Spain and Juve and to quickly adapt to different leagues and environments.

 

[Fobal]

Did he? Messi has one more goal in the Big 5 leagues but Ronaldo has more goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo also managed to be a top scorer in the three best leagues in the world. Messi's time in PSG was pretty poor by his standards. He only scored 6 goals in his first season for PSG in the French league.

Ronaldo was a better player than Messi in the Champions league and Messi was slightly better domestically. But what Ronaldo did domestically was pretty underrated. He managed to be lethal in Utd, Spain and Juve and to quickly adapt to different leagues and environments.

If anything, everything Cris has done has been enhaced time and again even by himself; he'll tell and repeat that a million times, if he has to, because people aren't really listening (nor reading).

 

[Gehrman]

Did he? Messi has one more goal in the Big 5 leagues but Ronaldo has more goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo also managed to be a top scorer in the three best leagues in the world. Messi's time in PSG was pretty poor by his standards. He only scored 6 goals in his first season for PSG in the French league.

Ronaldo was a better player than Messi in the Champions league and Messi was slightly better domestically. But what Ronaldo did domestically was pretty underrated. He managed to be lethal in Utd, Spain and Juve and to quickly adapt to different leagues and environments.

Yes

https://www.messivsronaldo.app/

Go to club all time(excluding mls/saudi).

Edit: No Ronaldo has played minutes more worth 81 games in all time club exluding saudi and usa. The minutes more played that came 150 worth of 90 min games was for all time excluding semi retirement leagues.

 

[Kwabs]

Did he? Messi has one more goal in the Big 5 leagues but Ronaldo has more goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo also managed to be a top scorer in the three best leagues in the world. Messi's time in PSG was pretty poor by his standards. He only scored 6 goals in his first season for PSG in the French league.

Ronaldo was a better player than Messi in the Champions league and Messi was slightly better domestically. But what Ronaldo did domestically was pretty underrated. He managed to be lethal in Utd, Spain and Juve and to quickly adapt to different leagues and environments.

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

It truly is beyond comprehension how any grown up can watch this Homelander parody and defend or praise him.
The narcissism is so off the charts it's unbelievable.

Absolutely. His statements are embarrasing.

Logically, this is correct, but it doesn't really matter. 1000 goals is such a hallowed number that if he reaches it (pretty likely at this stage), it will be a huge deal. No one really seems to care about goal ratio, just like they don't care about Just Fontaine's in the World Cup or Gerd Muller's in the European Cup. They just look at who has the most goals. CR broke Platini's Euros record, it took him 4 extra tournaments to do it, but nobody cares. They just look at who has the record.


Again, it doesn't matter for the sake of narrative. It matters to me and other people who care about things like a player showing they are the best in an international tournament win, but it doesn't matter for millions of other people. It didn't really matter in 2016, when he didn't win the POTT (which really proves that he wasn't that good in the tournament because someone of his profile should have been a shoo-in with an unlikely Portugal win). But the bottom line is that they won. How they did it tends to get lost in the mists of time.

I dont think that it is just his fans who think that way. The bottom line is the bottom line.

I get your point. So its the fanboys plus the media because it makes for a good reading. I remember after Euro 2016, unbelievable hype despite being him being bang average through the tournament and huge doses of luck for Portugal.

 

[Fobal]

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

It's just take seeing them.
The numbers games are there to help Cris, to even claim he has been underrated, it's silly.
As a side note, just Messi's CL campaing LOOSING in 2018/19 it's better than the great majority of campaings of anyone and even himself.

Like I've said before, this numbers game it's a game that if fellas like Killian, Erling or anyone in the future with more games to play perhaps ends troucing or merely edging it, will end biting Cristiano's butt.

 

[Wand of a right foot]

Did he? Messi has one more goal in the Big 5 leagues but Ronaldo has more goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo also managed to be a top scorer in the three best leagues in the world. Messi's time in PSG was pretty poor by his standards. He only scored 6 goals in his first season for PSG in the French league.

Ronaldo was a better player than Messi in the Champions league and Messi was slightly better domestically. But what Ronaldo did domestically was pretty underrated. He managed to be lethal in Utd, Spain and Juve and to quickly adapt to different leagues and environments.

Nop. Messi was a much better footballer than Cristiano in every competition. Ronaldo's success in the ucl came when he had already become a goalpoacher.
Messi>>>>>Cristiano in playmaking and dribbling.
Messi = Cristiano in goalscoring.

 

[Fobal]

Anyway...this is Cristiano's thread and we are derrailing it again

 

[Joel Miller]

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

That’s the key issue with these guys, they just whittle it down to goals. But only one of the two has ever spent years as an out and out striker, and only one is a playmaker. They cherry pick the stats that suit the narrative. That’s just how it is!

 

[KirkDuyt]

He's not more handsome than Beckham.

 

[Offside]

He's not more handsome than Beckham.

Beckham isn’t handsome. Michael Owen is better looking. Unless you love wrinkles and tattoos.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Beckham isn’t handsome. Michael Owen is better looking. Unless you love wrinkles and tattoos.

Who doesn't love those. I have 50% of 'm.

 

[RedMessiah]

Nop. Messi was a much better footballer than Cristiano in every competition. Ronaldo's success in the ucl came when he had already become a goalpoacher.
Messi>>>>>Cristiano in playmaking and dribbling.
Messi = Cristiano in goalscoring.

Yes, if you're mildly objective, this should be your take

 

[Pickle85]

Yes, if you're mildly objective, this should be your take

Given that, without any exaggeration, c. 75% of your posts are about Messi, I'm not sure you're the best judge of objectivity.

 

[Kinsella]

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

In an ideal world you shouldn’t feel the need to cite stats. Just tell people to use their bloody eyes.

But this thread went beyond the pale of common sense a long time ago mate.

 

[Irwin99]

He's not more handsome than Beckham.

Yeah he's not as good-looking as Becks.

It’s quite interesting that I’ve heard quite a few girls and gay guys say they don’t find Ronaldo remotely attractive. You’d think it’d be the opposite.

 

[Maluco]

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

This is it all summed up in an easy to digest, tidy paragraph.

 

[RedMessiah]

Given that, without any exaggeration, c. 75% of your posts are about Messi, I'm not sure you're the best judge of objectivity.

I don't think anyone can argue about Messi being a better dribbler and playmaker than Ronaldo. And, given that he has a better goal per minute ratio than Ronaldo, Messi = Ronaldo is being kind to Ronaldo there. So, again, objectively true. It's great that you take the time to check my posts, but still not a great argument.

 

[Pickle85]

I don't think anyone can argue about Messi being a better dribbler and playmaker than Ronaldo. And, given that he has a better goal per minute ratio than Ronaldo, Messi = Ronaldo is being kind to Ronaldo there. So, again, objectively true. It's great that you take the time to check my posts, but still not a great argument.

I'm not making an argument. I'm simply saying that someone so obsessed with Messi shouldn't post about objectivity

 

[Henandez14]

I'm not making an argument. I'm simply saying that someone so obsessed with Messi shouldn't post about objectivity

Being objective does not mean not having a preference, or sitting on the fence.

 

[thepolice123]

Are people not tired of him at this point. Felt like he is trying so hard to stay relevant. Love the man but football has moved on.

 

[Pickle85]

Being objective does not mean not having a preference, or sitting on the fence.

Someone that makes 3/4 of their posts either about Messi or about Ronaldo being inferior to Messi probably isn't the most objective. And having a preference absolutely impacts one's ability to be objective. How couldn't it?

 

[KingEric04]

Nop. Messi was a much better footballer than Cristiano in every competition. Ronaldo's success in the ucl came when he had already become a goalpoacher.
Messi>>>>>Cristiano in playmaking and dribbling.
Messi = Cristiano in goalscoring.

A "goalpoacher" who has more assists than "playmaker" Messi in the UCL .

- Barcelona's UCL record with Xavi and Iniesta as playmakers 4 UCL titles in 9 years.
- Barcelona's UCL record with Messi as a playmaker: 0 UCL titles, 0 UCL finals and only 1 semifinal

 

[aldair45]

A "goalpoacher" who has more assists than "playmaker" Messi in the UCL .

- Barcelona's UCL record with Xavi and Iniesta as playmakers 4 UCL titles in 9 years.
- Barcelona's UCL record with Messi as a playmaker: 0 UCL titles, 0 UCL finals and only 1 semifinal

Haaland and Lukaku have had more assists than Kroos, Modric, Xavi and Iniesta in many seasons. By your logic, that must make them playmakers .. and not only that, actually better playmakers than Kroos, Modric, Xavi and Iniesta, right? Messi has won the IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker award a record five times. Ronaldo: 0 as he is technically and skills wise inferior to be a playmaker. Luis Suarez also has many more assists than Ronaldo, doesn't make any of them playmakers.

Since leaving Real Madrid, and without Modric, Kroos, Benzema, Ronaldo has won 0 Ballon d’Ors, 0 Golden Shoes, and reached 0 Champions League finals or semifinals, while Real Madrid have gone on to win 2 Champions League titles, 3 La Liga titles, and seen Benzema claim a Ballon d’Or. With or without Xavi and Iniesta, Messi continued winning Ballon D'ors, Golden Shoes, UCL Golden Boot, UCL best forward awards, Ronaldo's favorite awards.

 

[KingEric04]

Yes

https://www.messivsronaldo.app/

Go to club all time(excluding mls/saudi).

Edit: No Ronaldo has played minutes more worth 81 games in all time club exluding saudi and usa. The minutes more played that came 150 worth of 90 min games was for all time excluding semi retirement leagues.

If we are looking at the "big 5" leagues Messi has 1 more goal than Ronaldo, however Ronaldo played in better leagues than Messi. Messi also had an advantage because he played in a one single league throughout his whole career and then went to a relatively weak French league. Ronaldo frequently changed the clubs and the leagues and it's very hard to do that compared to staying in one league throughout your whole life. Messi's domestic league campaign is definitely better than Ronaldo's but Ronaldo's ability to change environments in a relative ease is pretty underrated in my opinion.

Debatable. Messi's goal ratio and goal contribution ratio are better, and he scored 11 less goals on 300 less shots. His percentage of shots on target was significantly better, he completed 250 more dribbles, had 70 more key passes, created 30+ more big chances, was deemed man of the match 30 more times than Ronaldo and his average match rating was better. As an all round player, Messi was better, just as he is in every competition. Because he can simply do more stuff.

It's slightly better at 0.2 goals per game, but Ronaldo was far better in the knockout stages than Messi. 0.80 vs 0.64 per game ratio in the knockout stages for Ronaldo. Even if we combine the goal contributions Ronaldo was still better than Messi. Ronaldo has won more UCL titles where he was a protagonist than Messi. 5 vs 3 for Ronaldo (Messi was a passenger in 05/06). Ronaldo has more golden boots than Messi 7 vs 6. Ronaldo even has more assists than Messi in both knockout stages and overall in the UCL and Messi is supposed to be a far better playmaker. Ronaldo has twice amount of free kick goals as Messi 12 vs 6 (or 7). Ronaldo actually has the most free kick goals in the UCL history despite being ridiculed for years.

Messi was a better dribbler than Ronaldo, can anyone dispute that?! Just look at the amount of goals of Messi vs Ronaldo from the quarter finals to finals:

Quarter-finals:
25 goals in 22 games for Ronaldo
12 goals in 23 games for Messi

Semi-finals:
13 goals in 21 games for Ronaldo
6 goals in 15 games for Messi

Benzema and Lewa have more semi final goals than Messi, and Di Stefano and Puskas if you count European Cup (pre 1992)

Finals:
4 goals in 6 games for Ronaldo
2 goals in 4 games for Messi

Messi has more goals than Ronaldo in the round of 16, but in the deeper stages of the UCL, Ronaldo simply oblitirates Messi and this is what separates them in my opinion. Ronaldo was more "clutch" and more of a big game player than Messi in the UCL. He has more golden boots than Messi and was a main protagonist than Messi in the UCL winning campaigns. Even in categories where Messi is supposedly "way better" like assists and free kicks (debatable), Ronaldo has better stats than Messi. Even though Messi is a way better dribbler than Ronaldo, Ronaldo's dribbling prime was pretty underrated. Ronaldo averaged around 4 dribbles per 90 in his Man Utd days, with his peak being 6 dribbles per 90 in 04/05.

 

[2 man midfield]

He must count every goal as a blessing at this point. He'll hit 1000 goals at like 43 years old and unveil a shirt that says finally I can retire.