Messi Edges Ronaldo in a Brand-New Vote, and CR7's Backers Say the Crowd Is Wrong

Fans, our readers have been reading stories about Cristiano Ronaldo, so we're kicking off the oldest debate in football on a brand-new Morfi opinion market: who is the better footballer? Less than a day in, Lionel Messi has edged ahead on 51% consensus, with Ronaldo right behind on 49%. Ronaldo's backers say the crowd has it wrong.

Let's go to the tape. This is a straight two-way fight. The description offered an even split, but nobody has a draw on the board. Messi's camp has 9 holders and Ronaldo's has 9. So far 10 unique traders have put $6,699 behind their opinions. When the chart starts (Nov 5), Messi stood at 50% and Ronaldo at 50%. Since then Messi has swung between 45% and 51%, and the lead has changed hands 3 times. That's a kickoff, not a final whistle. Trading opened less than a day ago, so this lead is less than a day old.

Messi's narrow lead lines up with one camp of experts, though many others still call the debate a matter of personal opinion. According to the Wikipedia entry on the Messi–Ronaldo rivalry, several commentators and players said Messi settled the debate when he led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The same page counts 82 official trophies between the two: 47 for Messi and 35 for Ronaldo. Messi's career record lists eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most of any footballer. Ronaldo's camp has its own case. His career page credits him with the record for official career goals, 146 international goals and more than 200 caps, the most of any male player.

Ronaldo's backers say the crowd has this wrong. "the market keeps making this same mistake and im keep taking the free side," as one backer, Steph, put it. Another, Jess, says the Messi case "only works if you ignore how this actually plays out." That's a classic counter-attack: let the favourite have the ball, then hit them on the break. Even the encyclopedia won't pick a winner. It notes that critics agree both stood far above their peers, but says which one is greater comes down to personal opinion.

Here's my call, and it's opinion, folks. The trophy count, the Ballon d'Ors and that World Cup make Messi the natural pick. But Ronaldo built his name on scoring when nobody gave him a chance, so it fits that his fans are betting the crowd is wrong. If CR7's camp keeps buying while everyone is looking up his name, this lead could get tight fast. If Messi pushes past his early high of 51%, the counter-attack fizzles. The ball's in play. Pick your side and join the market on Morfi.