‘Messi on the altar, Ronaldo in the heart’

Great actions are remembered for an hour

Great moments live on for a decade

Great inventions define a century

Great men inspire for eternity

When David Beckham’s transfer news made headlines, it was a tsunami of epic proportions that hit the entire world. Mixed feelings were expressed but most importantly, probably the nightmare to every Manchester United fan around the world was the prospect of facing an empty No. 7 jersey they’d come to worship.

In such desperate times, men make mistakes. And that alone proves why Ferguson isn’t a mere man.

He unearthed a ‘dynamite from Portugal’ to embrace the No.7 altar. Any fear of losing in the absence of the ball-bender was silenced as this explosive player inflamed the crowds, making success his habit. With an enviable combination of mind blowing speed, sharp reflexes, innovative, powerful and precise free-kicks and commitment to his team, he transformed into a terrifying missile spelling doom in rival camps.

He’d leave the crowds on the toes as he tore through the defenses, in paces unmatched, leaving exasperated opponents trying to catch up with a tornado cruelly thrust upon them. Thus, in a very short while, Old Trafford had a new hero, a bright reason to celebrate, a powerful winner to inspire, an ever dependable hope. The name is Cristiano Ronaldo. Understandably, pretty soon the English home’s wonder guest was a subject of world talk and respect.

Meanwhile in the Spanish ranks rose another rival legend in the making called Lionel Messi; a name aptly given by destiny for as I see it, the short form of mesmerizing. Watching his game is a guide to playing enthralling football as a magical art. He is poetry in motion, turning his health short-comings into a boon. It was only last season I remember when he slotted 5 goals in one match! Observing the audience’s faces watching this mystical performance, you could see their bliss in enjoying a spectacle of the Gods in play.

With talented players in their ranks spearheaded with this inspirational God, Barcelona inevitably transformed into a dream team. Their game seemed like an artistic dance upon the field. A sublime spectacle with precise passing, strategic maneuvers, and deft placements leaving rivals wondering what hit them. One doesn’t need a better memory to illustrate this fact other than the Champions league final clash of 2011, when FC Barcelona took on Man Utd. A game the Spanish armada won 3-1 at Wembley in the Old Empire Stadium with ease, humbling the red-hot rampaging English, with some exquisite skill and gaming.

Not for nothing are the Catalans considered the best knit football team in Europe, a result of the God at the helm of their striking offence.

Thus two invincible heroes simultaneously were born to demand their worthy places in the list of the greatest to grace the sport. While most strikers give you optimism ahead of an encounter, they give you promise.

The irony was that Messi entered my life at a time when I was already a CR7 loyal. And so when Ronaldo shifted to Real Madrid and their La Liga encounters became the stuff of dreams, I sat thinking of the right place for both of them in a football fan’s life. Who was greater and deserved more respect, if that’s a question that can be answered in the first place?

And the following set of thoughts hit me like a forceful kick from their boot.

As I once remarked, ‘With great power comes responsibility. With great fame comes rumor’

A bewitching handsome face, with captivating looks and a stunning game, an overflowing purse and a splurging intent meant that Ronaldo soon had his share of off court feminine extravagance complementing his on-field exploits. Nothing justifies my point more than an article from ‘Sportstar’ that is etched in my memory, I read in my 3^rd year under graduation. ‘27 off-court exploits of Ronaldo!’ An article that provided the pictures as well, of 27 ravishing damsels that included a host of super-models and celebrities. Well, as a male you could envy this man, but unquestionably concede to his worthy flamboyance. But then, for an obtrusive demeanor of stardom and gaiety that seldom shows the man beneath his profession, he’s often had a fair share of dark and despicable titles and images.

But unknown to most, he had an innate human side that most long failed to see including me, until this article ‘A shocking story about Cristiano Ronaldo’ came to light – a touching love story of a man beneath his apparent darkness. Therefore when the knight camped at Real Madrid, and got only better with each passing season, he’d established his legitimate claim on the pedestal of the legends.

The recent report heralding his sadness, the reasons of which shall never be known, makes it disturbing for certain. And for all the talk of a transfer on the cards, it made me realize one thing, ’Money can buy you most things, save peace of mind and a Ronaldo he has been so far.’

In short Ronaldo is all about melodrama, flamboyance, stardom, frivolity, empathy, sacrifice, love, mistakes, controversy; attributes outlining his grounded mortality in the midst of all his superhuman feats for which ‘I would keep Ronaldo in the heart.’

Messi on the other hand has always come across to all as a more benign persona. Seldom has an off-court affair in the spotlight engaged our news, presenting him as the perfect gentleman and an ideal role-model. He may have all the adoration of a million and is obviously paid in that yardstick as well, but the picture of humility captured in this man betrays his immortal glory and his legendary conquests.

For all the tall claims of being his ardent admirers, how many could reel out some incidents from his personal life. Well that’s not your fault. It’s the way the man has carried himself. At least that’s the way I see it, in frank opinion.

Indeed his prolific genius is a stranger to none, as much as his humane side is known to none. I have not come across a more disciplined celebrity who has all the wealth, talent, and aura to court some vanity and yet refrains in indulgence. He is indeed that divinity that performs miracles day in and day out in the field and yet is an enigma that remains unknown. He is as evasive on field as off-field!

Fittingly, for all his divinity, ‘I would keep Messi on the altar’

Yes, I would pray for Messi but play with Ronaldo. The former is a Greek myth while the latter a Spartan. Messi is a mystical enchanting song that sends you into a trance uplifting your soul, while Ronaldo is an entertaining heavy metal that heightens your spirit. The world looks up to the Argentinian, but from the depths of our heart, we must concede to the fact that we all live in the shadow of the Portugal prince.

All in all, both of them are great men who inspire eternity, to each, our own.