First touch
The first touch can often be the game-changer. Someone with a great first touch outfoxes multiple players without even making a dribble. A great first touch is what gives you the extra yard or two to put the dagger in the heart of the opponents.
Lionel Messi’s first touch is sensational, to say the least. He constantly turns defenders the wrong way with his mesmerizing touch; something that gives him room to make the acceleration during a dribble.
Cristiano Ronaldo, however, has a very good first touch himself, but it isn't the most clever touch. He can bring a crazy ball in control with his first touch, but he can’t squeeze defenders out of their zone with the sleight of the feet. Inside the box, however, his first-touch is almost often a shot towards the goal which, more often than not, hits the net.
Passing
This has always been an undermining aspect of the Portuguese’s game, but a strong weapon in Messi’s arsenal. The Portuguese grew up in an environment where he played with and against kids who were many years his senior and also constantly bullied him.
Hence, he never really cared to pass the people who harassed him. This habit rubs the wrong way on people as they label him selfish—which can be unfair at times. However, in recent years, he makes more attempts to pass, but rarely does he make any jaw-dropping passes.
Growing up in South America and in a friendly environment made Messi more accustomed to passing the ball. And he does it in a ridiculously good way.
Lionel Messi is not just about goals. If he wants, he can dictate the play with his sublime passing and hawk vision. He has made some wonderful assists in his career—a testament to his visionary passing.
Pace
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano can generate some serious pace. However, their running styles are highly contrasting to each other. The Argentine runs with small strides, giving him more agility and flexibility with the ball at his feet.
This type of short-stride running style gives Messi an advantage when dribbling while also highlighting his superb close control. Only he knows how he keeps the ball glued to his feet while running with tiny strides.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, he runs like an athlete—huge strides covering the maximum possible distance at one leap and that has helped him break many sprint records. His style is best suited for a counter-attacking situation where there is a lot of space to run into.
Both of them are quick players – Messi with the ball and Ronaldo with or without. However, the fact that a 31-year-old can still run at unbelievable speed shows us the level of his fitness.
