This "Messi is pure talent and Cristiano pure hard work" is a myth.

Both of them had insane talent and worked their ass non stop to reach and stay on that level.

Messi is lucky because God or whatever exists out there gave him a bit more of what we call talent tho.
That's the truth for any legendary sport player. They have insane talent and they train their ass to reach and maintain such a level.
 
This "Messi is pure talent and Cristiano pure hard work" is a myth.

Both of them had insane talent and worked their ass non stop to reach and stay on that level.

Messi is lucky because God or whatever exists out there gave him a bit more of what we call talent tho.
It was probably propagated by good for nothings that put in zero effort and then blame those that succeed as being blessed.
There is an element of luck and talent, yes, but you can be the most talented person ever and you would still lose to a hard working person with a third of your talent.
 

Reborn

Throughout Heaven & Earth,I alone am d Honored One
cape verde is 100% beating argentina btw
Then you woke up from sleep 😴

This "Messi is pure talent and Cristiano pure hard work" is a myth.

Both of them had insane talent and worked their ass non stop to reach and stay on that level.

Messi is lucky because God or whatever exists out there gave him a bit more of what we call talent tho.
True

Messi is blessed by footballing gods. They both do hardwork and are really talented - different sorts of talents but they have talents.

Biggest differences are that Messi has been blessed by an onfield vision and a team that adapts and plays to give Messi more freedom. Barca, Inter miami and Argentina - they all did the same. Only exception was PSG

Football isn't one player game. Messi greatness lies not just because of hardwork and talent he poses but also because of the teams he always had.

Ronaldo at international stage do lack that kind of team support and atmosphere.
 
Ronaldo's biggest "fault" was that his peak didn't coincide with a good Portugal generation. This current squad with noodle hair Ronaldo, or the Euro's squad too, would have been World champion favorites any day of the week.
Not true imo.

Young CR7 had great players such Figo, Rui Costa, Deco, Pauleta and others with him.

That roster was capable to make deep runs at international tournaments but at the end of the day the winner is not always the best team.
 
Not true imo.

Young CR7 had great players such Figo, Rui Costa, Deco, Pauleta and others with him.

That roster was capable to make deep runs at international tournaments but at the end of the day the winner is not always the best team.
Young CR7 yes but not peak scoring machine Ronaldo. He started hitting his stride in 2008 and only really started dipping in 2019.
Meanwhile the old golden gen started aging out by Euro 2008 and new faces started coming in.
They had a good showing in WC2006 but that was still pre-goat status Ronaldo. Figo was the main player then and I'd say even Deco was ahead as far as expectations from Portuguese fans were concerned.
 

Reborn

Throughout Heaven & Earth,I alone am d Honored One
Personally, I don't think having stars in the team makes a team great.

We have seen teams with big stars falling flat.

Messi was clearing struggling at international stage in winning trophies until Scaloni came and made entire Argentine team mould according to Messi gameplay. Pep did the same thing. Beckham did the same thing.

Argentina team has collective identity. Every player understands their role, works relentlessly on field, and is comfortable with sacrificing personal glory to create the best conditions for Messi to influence and control the game.

This is what makes both France and Argentina so dangerous.

Portugal possessed exceptional individual talent but lacked the same stable team structure and collective identity.

Portugal had 24 years to have a management to form a team that plays more like one unit and mould it around Ronaldo.

But all they did is patchwork. Their team looks more like bunch of excellent players led by mediocre and clueless management, searching from past 24 years, the most effective balance and tactics around Ronaldo.
 
Young CR7 yes but not peak scoring machine Ronaldo. He started hitting his stride in 2008 and only really started dipping in 2019.
Meanwhile the old golden gen started aging out by Euro 2008 and new faces started coming in.
They had a good showing in WC2006 but that was still pre-goat status Ronaldo. Figo was the main player then and I'd say even Deco was ahead as far as expectations from Portuguese fans were concerned.
Yeah i remember Cristiano's "prime" started at 07/08 year when he got a red card at the start of the season and didn't play for a whole month.

One of Fergie's assistants coached him personally and told him him that he has to become a lethal striker instead of trying to hit "beautiful" goals.

All of this started because Cristiano was happy that he scored 20-25 goals the previous season and Fergie told him "you did jackshit, i scored 45 goals in 1 season as a player" and the rest is history.
 
Ronaldo's biggest "fault" was that his peak didn't coincide with a good Portugal generation. This current squad with noodle hair Ronaldo, or the Euro's squad too, would have been World champion favorites any day of the week.
But you could argue that's part of the issue. Ronaldo, like him or hate him, creates a demand on the team to cater to him which brings down squad unity and overall cohesion. Managers are afraid to sub him, and his ego can sometimes run unchecked. I wouldn't be surprised if he sometimes brings net negatives even with his undeniable brilliance.
 
Personally, I don't think having stars in the team makes a team great.

We have seen teams with big stars falling flat.

Messi was clearing struggling at international stage in winning trophies until Scaloni came and made entire Argentine team mould according to Messi gameplay. Pep did the same thing. Beckham did the same thing.

Argentina team has collective identity. Every player understands their role, works relentlessly on field, and is comfortable with sacrificing personal glory to create the best conditions for Messi to influence and control the game.

This is what makes both France and Argentina so dangerous.

Portugal possessed exceptional individual talent but lacked the same stable team structure and collective identity.

Portugal had 24 years to have a management to form a team that plays more like one unit and mould it around Ronaldo.

But all they did is patchwork. Their team looks more like bunch of excellent players led by mediocre and clueless management, searching from past 24 years, the most effective balance and tactics around Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is 41, but he is trying to play like he is 30.
 
Ronaldo is 41, but he is trying to play like he is 30.
For all the critics he gets, I think people are largely overestimating Portugal's attack. Who else is better than him as a 9 in this team?
The issue is that the coach doesn't know how to use him and Ronaldo's ego like you said makes him think he's still as good as he was when he was 30.

If they both worked on that, he would do better in this WC.
 
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