There’s no denying that this is a golden age of football. With legends like Messi, Ronaldo, and Lewandowski gracing the pitch, it’s hard to imagine a time when the game was any better. All three players have achieved greatness in their own right, and there’s a case to be made that they’re three of the greatest footballers of our generation.
What makes them stand out from other great players? During their prime years, each player had a signature move or style that made them unique — and, in some cases, even better than other players in their age group. Here are some examples of how Messi and Ronaldo used their skills to make an impact on the pitch:
Lionel Messi
Messi is widely regarded as the best player in the world, and it’s easy to see why. The Argentine has been nothing short of sensational for Barcelona, Argentina, and Paris Saint Germaine, scoring an incredible 787 goals in 997 appearances. He’s a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down. At 35-years-old, Messi is still at the top of his game, and there’s a strong case to be made that he’s the greatest footballer ever.
Messi is an attacking midfielder who can play wide on either side of the pitch (or even through the middle). He is known for his amazing dribbling skills and ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. Additionally, Messi’s FIFA 23 rating only goes on to cement this claim. He has been a big part of Barça since he was 12-years-old, but in his first year with Argentina’s national team, he scored all of their goals in the Copa America tournament. Messi is currently ranked second on FIFA’s all-time goalscoring list, behind only Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been hailed as the greatest footballer of this generation by many of his peers. The 37-year-old has enjoyed a hugely successful career, winning numerous trophies with both club and country. His accolades are also impressive, having been named FIFA World Player of the Year several times and winning the Ballon d’Or five times.
Additionally, Ronaldo consistently producing world-class performances has seen him earn widespread admiration from fans and fellow professionals. His work ethic and dedication to his craft are also second to none, which has helped him maintain his high level of performance for over a decade.
Born on February 5, 1985, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Cristiano Ronaldo began his football career with local club Andorinha before signing with Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon at 12-years-old. After impressing with Sporting’s youth team, he made his first-team debut in 2002 at 17-years-old. The following year, he helped Sporting win the Portuguese Cup and was named the Portuguese Liga Player of the Year. In 2003, Ronaldo caught the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who paid £12 million (€14 million) to sign him. Ronaldo made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, scoring twice on his Premier League debut against Bolton Wanderers. He scored 15 league goals in his first season in England as United won the Premier League title.
Ronaldo is not new to the spotlight. His second season was even more successful, as he scored 23 league goals and helped United retain the Premier League title. He also scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Arsenal and was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. The 2006-07 season was Ronaldo’s breakout year, as he scored a staggering 31 league goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot. He was also named the FIFA World Player of the Year, the first Portuguese player to win the award.
Moreover, in the 2007-08 season, Ronaldo helped United win the Premier League title for the third consecutive year, and he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Chelsea. He became the first Portuguese player to achieve the Ballon d’Or and was voted the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.
If you’re looking to improve your team with a legendary player, check out our article on Zlatan Ibrahimović in FIFA 23.
Also, here is our list of the best players of the next generation in FIFA 23.
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