Source: Daily_Mail
Tale of the tape: Ronaldo v Messi - who will be the undisputed champion?
Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi in the Champions League Final on May 27. Two football gladiators doing battle in Rome. What a truly mouth-watering prospect.So let's reignite a classic pub/water cooler/playground debate. Who is the best player in the world?Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo and Barcelona's Messi are the two obvious candidates, although their performances in the semi-finals varied considerably.[LNB] Tale of the tape: Who is the best player in the world?[LNB] Government orders Liverpool, United, Chelsea and Arsenal to share wealthMARTIN SAMUEL: Handballs, fouls and a late swing of the boot do the job for BarcaUEFA give Darren Fletcher hope of playing in the Champions League finalMARTIN SAMUEL: Messi will be hard pressed to top this Ronaldo supershowThe Manchester United player was scintillating against Arsenal on Tuesday night, scoring two goals including a 41-yard screamer.But Messi was quiet against Chelsea, although it was the Argentina player's ball that set up Indreas Iniesta's goal and kept Barcelona in the competition.Both players have been accused of hiding in the matches that really matter, so Sportsmail decided to investigate.[LNB]Here is our guide to Ronaldo versus Messi - who gets your vote?Cristiano Ronaldo[LNB]World's best: Ronaldo will face up to Messi in the Champions League final[LNB]Club: Manchester United[LNB]Country: Portugal[LNB]D.O.B.: February 5 1985[LNB]Club appearances: 288[LNB]Club goals: 166[LNB]Goal to games ratio: 1:2[LNB]Club honours: Premier League (2006-07, 2007-08), UEFA Champions League (2007-08), FA Cup (2003-04), League Cup (2005-06, 2008-09), FIFA Club World Cup 2008, FA Community Shield 2007. [LNB]Ronaldo versus Premier League 'Big Four':Just one goal for Ronaldo against the 'Big Four' in the Premier League this season - a penalty against Liverpool in United's 4-1 loss.[LNB]The winger fared better in 2007-08, scoring three goals against United's closest rivals (two against Arsenal and one against Liverpool). Sir Alex Ferguson's team did not lose when he hit the back of the net.Last season was also a great improvement on 2006-07, when Ronaldo failed to score against Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal in the league.Champions League 2008-09: It's four goals in 11 appearances for Ronaldo but, crucially, they have all come in the knock-out rounds. Two against Arsenal in United's 3-1 semi-final second leg win, the winner away to Porto in the quarter-finals and the second in United's 2-0 win against Inter Milan at Old Trafford. Ronaldo has popped up with a goal when it matters most.[LNB]
