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Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi is probably the biggest debate of all time. Fans of both these superstars often collide on social media on who the real G.O.A.T is. Different people have different opinions as some might cite Messi's inability to win a major trophy with Argentina as the reason he is not the greatest while the others will claim that it's his game that makes him the best player to ever play the beautiful game.
While in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo some will argue that the Portuguese skipper has done it all to claim the place of the greatest player of all time while his haters will scream he is just a good goalscorer.
But if there is one thing that no one can deny is that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest players of all time.
Cristiano Ronaldo spent 9 seasons at Real Madrid before moving to Juventus. Over these 9 years, El Clasico was the most anticipated football match year after year. Real Madrid and Barcelona collided on numerous occasions giving us a lot to cheer about.
One major reason why the El Clasico was eagerly anticipated season after season was the excitement of watching Lionel Messi up against Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo have won numerous accolades between them including last 10 ballon dors. With the score settled at 5 each, the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.
With the two legends of football grabbing headlines every week, there have been certain players who might feel unlucky to be playing in the same era as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. These players will go down as legends in the history of the game but their individual honors and the scale of impact would have definitely been different had they played in any other era.
Here we present to you the top 10 players who were unlucky to be playing the Ronaldo-Messi era:
#10 Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria will always be remembered as a skinny winger who was like a live wire on the football field capable of providing inch-perfect crosses into the box. Di Maria's resume is mighty impressive- the Argentine played for some of the biggest clubs in the world- Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG.
The former Real Madrid man has had the opportunity to play with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Lionel Messi at Argentina, Wayne Rooney at Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic at PSG and now Neymar at PSG. The list is filled with legends but one thing is for sure that these players have been equally lucky as they had the opportunity to take the center stage alongside Angel di Maria.
The Argentine was at his best with the Spanish giants Real Madrid. Di Maria won the champions league with Los Blancos in 2014. To top his achievements Di Maria was named the man of the match in Real Madrid's win over Atletico Madrid as Los Blancos won their 10th champions league title.
Di Maria was the second best at Argentina behind Lionel Messi and the second best at Real Madrid behind Cristiano Ronaldo for the most part of his career. The Argentine might feel that had he been playing in any other era, he surely would have been a top contender for the ballon dor award. With assists, screamers and scintillating pace di Maria will always be remembered as a great footballer
#9 Wesley Sneijder
It is rightly said that kids these days don’t know what a sensational player Wesley Sneijder was. The Dutchman is the most capped player for his country and possibly one of the greatest ever to don the orange jersey.
Wesley Sneijder played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe- Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Sneijder was an influential member of the treble-winning Inter Milan squad of 2009-10. Over the years Sneijder established himself as a dynamic attacking midfielder who was capable of providing a little magic every now and then.
Sneijder was instrumental in guiding the Netherlands to the final of the FIFA world cup 2010 in South Africa where they were beaten by Spain. Sneijder was part of the Dutch side that came third in the world cup 2014 in Brazil. His exploits with the national side are well known and a major reason for his presence in the list of great players.
Sneijder might have moved to Galatasaray from Inter Milan which somehow affected his stature as one the best players in Europe but his name will always be included in the list of greatest Dutch footballers of all time.
#8 Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time. The Polish international always finds a way to put the ball in the back of the net. The greatest polish international to ever play football, Robert Lewandowski has ruled the Bundesliga for the most part of this decade. With numerous records to his name including the fastest 5-goal haul, Lewandowski is a legend of the German league.
Often considered as the on the greatest strikers of this generation, Lewandowski has helped Bayern rack up Bundesliga titles year after year after his move from Borussia Dortmund.
To this date, Robert Lewandowski remains the only player to score 4 goals in a match against Real Madrid in a champions league fixture doing so in 2013 in Dortmund's semifinal encounter with Los Blancos.
Lewandowski was dynamic for Borussia Dortmund as well as he helped his former employers end the Bayern rule in Bundesliga as Borussia Dortmund won 2 league titles with Lewandowski up front.
Lewandowski's future might be in balance these days with a number of top clubs looking to sign him but there is no denying of the fact that Lewandowski will go down as one of the greatest strikers to ever play in Bundesliga.
#7 Gareth Bale
The Welshman moved to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for £85 million and rest, as they say, is history. Gareth Bale has spent last 5 seasons at Madrid winning numerous trophies with Los Blancos including 4 champions league titles.
The injury-plagued winger has the ability to turn the game on its head in just some minutes. Many might argue that injuries have been the reason Gareth bale didn't become the best player but nonetheless, the Welshman at his best is a treat to watch.
From his sensational run past Marc Bartra in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final to his 2 screamers against Liverpool in the champions league final, Gareth Bale has always been the man for the big moments. He even helped wales to reach the semifinals of EURO 2016 where they lost to eventual champions- Portugal.
The world will always remember Gareth Bale as one of the fastest footballers to ever play the game.
#6 Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is as a good a striker it gets. The Uruguayan has proved himself in 3 different countries and is one of the modern day greats of the game. He rose to fame at Ajax where he helped the Dutch club in winning the Eredivisie title before securing a move to English giants- Liverpool.
The Uruguayan might not have won a lot of trophies at the Merseyside club but he surely became one of the best players in the world. The 2013-14 PFA player of the year spent 4 seasons with Liverpool as he tormented premier league defenses week in week out.
Suarez moved to Barcelona in 2014 and has been at his prolific best ever since. He formed one of the most fearsome trios with Lionel Messi and Neymar. Suarez has spent trophy-laden years at Barcelona and has become one of the most feared strikers around the globe.
Luis Suarez is the only man other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to lift the famous Pichichi trophy in the last 9 years. His goalscoring exploits in the 2015-16 season earned him the trophy awarded to the top scorer in La Liga.
#5 Frank Ribery
Frank Ribery is a rare breed of footballers who are fast, can dribble, provide crosses and score sensational goals every now and then. The French international retired from international duties in 2014 after representing his nation 81 times.
The 3-time French player of the year has spent more than 10 years with Bayern Munich, winning every trophy possible. The Frenchman was instrumental in Bayern's historic treble success in 2013. Ribery finished 3rd in the final ballon dor standing behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013.
The skillful Frenchman has had an injury-plagued career and its a shame that a player of his calibre had to miss so many games in his career.
Alongside Arjen Robben, Ribery has dominated the Bundesliga for years. The duo was once famously called Robbery and was the driving force behind Bayern's success.
#4 Wayne Rooney
The former Manchester United man is the all-time top scorer for England and Manchester United. The Evertonian spent 13 glorious years with the red devils winning each and every trophy possible. Often called as the perfect team player, Wayne Rooney has been termed as a selfless player.
Many people criticise Rooney for never fulfilling his potential but with numerous trophies won with Manchester United, it is hard to agree with them. Over the years Rooney has always been considered as one of the most influential players on the field. The former Manchester United striker might have had a different story had he played in some other era.
Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene at 2004 EURO championship in Portugal where he top scored for his nation. His excellent performances from Everton earned him a call from Manchester United and rest, as they say, is history. from his emphatic debut against Fenerbahce where he scored a hattrick to his mind-boggling bicycle kick to win the Manchester derby, Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The Evertonian had the opportunity to captain the three lions at a major tournament. His captaincy tenures at manchester united and Everton ensure his place in the rich history of these two clubs.
#3 Arjen Robben
On his day, Arjen Robben is the most devastating footballer in the world, period. The Dutchman has had spells successful spells at PSV, Chelsea, and Real Madrid before moving to Bayern Munich in 2009. Robben has been a mainstay in the Bavarian club, winning every trophy possible.
With his pace, dribbling and long-range goal scoring ability, Robben might go down as one of the most potent attackers in the history of football. Arjen Robben helped the Netherlands in reaching the final of the 2010 world cup final where they were defeated by Spain.
4 years later when the Netherlands finished third in Brazil, Robben was probably their best player. He recorded the fastest speed in a world cup game when he ran past Sergio Ramos and ended up humiliating Iker Casillas and Spanish defense as he scored the fifth goal of Dutch team's 5-1 victory over Spain.
Robben helped Bayern Munich in completing a treble as he scored the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in 2013. The Dutchman was the man of the match over the two-legged victory over Barcelona in the semifinals that season.
Over the years Arjen Robben has scored many memorable goals and humiliated many great players with his drizzling speed and dribbling skills.
#2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic- the great Swede who has won a plethora of trophies in his storied career. From Ajax to Manchester United, Zlatan has been victorious with each and every club he ever played for. Now plying his trade for MLS side LA Galaxy, the big Swede is one of the greatest strikers of all time.
Often labeled as arrogant and brash, Zlatan has been a serial winner who has scored tones of goal in his long career. With almost 500 goals to his name, Ibrahimovic is one of the most prolific goalscorers to ever play the game.
Over the years Zlatan played for some of the biggest European clubs- Ajax, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, PSG and none the least Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic has scored some sensational goals throughout his career and won a host of trophies which make him one of the most decorated footballers in history.
Zlatan might feel unlucky to have never won the prestigious ballon dor title. The big Swede boasts an incredible CV that lacks a certain best player of the world award.
#1 Andres Iniesta
Probably the most talented player to have never won the ballon dor. Andres Iniesta is one of those kinds of footballers whom no one seems to hate. The Spanish maestro has been one of the most skilfull footballers to ever grace the football pitch.
Iniesta might have transformed into a central midfielder in the latter stages of his career but it was as an attacking midfielder that the world witnessed the masterclass of Barcelona legend.
Iniesta came through the ranks from the famous La Masia academy and established himself as a top midfielder at Barcelona, winning numerous titles.
The classy player from Catalonia scored the most important goal in Spain's football history when he scored past Maarten Stekelenburg to win Spain's 1st world cup title.
Andres Iniesta is one of the few players to have won a treble twice doing so in 2009 and 2015 with Barcelona.
Iniesta came close to winning the ballon dor title twice in his career- first in 2010 when he was the runner-up as Lionel Messi claimed the award and then in 2012 when he came third in the final standings.
Often hailed as one of the greatest playmakers of all time, Iniesta would have surely claimed the ballon dor title if he played in some other era.
