The Ratings Rivalry: A Decade-Long Battle Between Messi and Ronaldo
The debate has been raging for years – who is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? While both have dominated the sport for over a decade, their ratings in EA Sports’ FIFA series have been a topic of interest for fans. And, as it turns out, the numbers tell an interesting story.
A Tale of Two Careers
Messi and Ronaldo have been the two best players in the majority of FIFA games, with 13 Ballon d’Or awards between them. But, surprisingly, neither of them takes the top spot in EA FC 25, with Messi having an overall rating of 88 and Ronaldo an 86. Across all 19 editions, Messi has been the superior player in 13 games, while Ronaldo has a higher cumulative rating.
The Early Years
In FIFA 06, Messi was a 78-rated youngster at Barcelona, while Ronaldo was an established 91-rated star at Manchester United. For the next three seasons, Ronaldo was rated higher, but Messi began to close the gap in FIFA 10. The roles were reversed for the next seven games, before Ronaldo regained the top spot in FIFA 17 and 18.
The Tie and the Shift
FIFA 19 was the first game where both icons were rated the same (94), marking a turning point in their ratings rivalry. Since then, Messi has consistently been rated higher than Ronaldo, with EA Sports seemingly favoring the Argentine maestro.
The Verdict
So, what does it all mean? Well, according to the great Pele, Messi is the complete player. In a 2018 interview with SporTV, he said, "I would still stay with Messi. Scoring is important, no doubt, but if you do not have anyone to prepare, then the ball is not enough. For my team, I prefer Messi. As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s a great goalscorer."
The Future
As both players approach the twilight of their careers, it’s clear that their rivalry will continue to be a topic of interest. But, for now, Messi takes the top spot in EA FC 25. What do you think? Do you agree with EA Sports’ ratings, or do you think Ronaldo deserves the top spot?
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