Time Magazine unveiled its list of the 100 most influential people on Thursday. Headed by pop superstar Beyonce, the comprehensive list details and praises people across all professions. A total of five professional sports personalities landed in the 100, but only one plays the beautiful game.
His name: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi to Earn More than Cristiano Ronaldo?
The reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner and Real Madrid star received glowing praise in his write up from the iconic Pele. In it, the three-time World Cup champion says about Ronaldo, "I greatly respect his competitive mind-set on the field, and it's no surprise that he is currently considered the best soccer player in the world."
"Cristiano never ceases to give his best for his national team. He reminds me a bit of my late friend and Portuguese soccer legend Eusébio. They have the same elegance and creativity," he added.
"Back when I played, I would have loved having a teammate like Cristiano to play with up front."
Obviously, such waxed poetic would lead many to question why Pele would single out Ronaldo as the perfect teammate and not the majestic Lionel Messi.
That, however, is answered with a simple analysis of their styles.
Though Pele carried a staggering goalscoring record throughout his career—1,281 goals in 1,363 games—his position was not that of a striker. It was the amount of touches, not space and runs off the ball that led to his world-renown success.
Touches, above all else, is what fuels Messi's class.
In 2010-11, Messi (97.2) averaged nearly 30 more touches per match than Ronaldo (67.3). With only one ball to share, having two players with like tendencies would eventually lead to a predictable attack. Having the pace of Ronaldo—one capable of covering 96 meters in 10 seconds—is ideal in finding the open space vacated by defenders attracted to the dribbling prowess of Pele.
The pairing would've had the perfect compliment of skills to dominate a sport unlike any other.
Unfortunately, different eras never allowed it to be seen.
Who would have been a better partner for Pele: Messi or Ronaldo? Tell us @SportsWN
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