Author Archives: David Hjelmström

1. 5 times Messi outplayed Real Madrid in the El Clásico

   28th November 2022 9:57 am Leave a Comment

   During a 20-year career at Barcelona, Lionel Messi featured in nearly 50 El Clásico matches against Real Madrid. The rivalry is one of the fiercest in football, and Messi often stole the show with electric performances and goals of the highest quality. When Messi transferred from Barcelona for Paris St Germain in 2021, he left as the highest-ever scorer in El Clásico with 26 goals. In addition, the Argentinian produced some of the most memorable moments from the grudge match in recent years.

   1. La Liga 2007

   Messi had played in two Clásicos by age 19, and both were away at the Santiago Bernabéu. But when Messi got his first taste of a clash with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in 2007, he was ready.

   In the La Liga match, Madrid led three times, only for Messi to hit back with his first senior hat-trick. Barca drew the game 3-3, but Messi stole the headlines in his first mesmerising performance of many.

   • La Liga 2014

   Messi would have to wait for six more seasons before his net hat trick against Madrid. This time, it came at the Bernabéu in one of the greatest El Clásico fixtures in modern times.

   In an end-to-end fixture that ended 4-3 for Barcelona, Messi played a part in all four goals. He assisted Andreas Iniesta for the opener before Madrid pegged Barca back. Messi responded with a curling effort before striking two late penalties to seal the victory.This period of Messi’s career is some of his golden years, where he could do it all: dribble, pinpoint accurate through balls and obviously finish in stunning fashion. Keeping track of the ball at Messi’s feet was as exciting as watching a roulette-ball land on a live roulette online wheel. Fans couldn’t get enough of the Argentian as matches he featured in were always an exciting watch.

   • Champions League 2011 

   During his Barcelona career, Messi only faced Madrid four times in the Champions League, and his first was the most memorable.

   Madrid held firm against Barcelona’s dominance in possession and Messi eventually turned on the style. After 76 minutes, the match was still 0-0 before Messi scored a poacher’s goal to open the scoring.

   Then, the Argentinian scored one of his most iconic Barcelona goals. Messi received the ball in his own half, dribbled past three Madrid players and curled past Iker Casillas to double the lead sensationally.

   • La Liga 2017 

   Drama and tension often mark El Clásico fixtures. The 2017 encounter at the Bernabéu was one of the tensest, and Messi was eventually the difference-maker.

   Messi had already scored as the game was tied at 2-2 heading into injury time. With the clock ticking down, Messi fired past Keylor Navas to seal the win and his 500th Barcelona goal.

   To add fury to a shocked Bernabéu, Messi took off his jersey and held it up to the crowd, adding to the spectacle.

   • La Liga 2009 

   In May 2009, Barcelona went to the Bernabéu in need of a victory to secure the La Liga title. What could have been a cagey encounter turned into a Barcelona rout, and Messi was the key man once again.

   The Catalan side thrashed Madrid 6-2, and Messi played a part in three goals. First, the Argentinian set up Thierry Henry to open the scoring before adding two of his own in one of Barcelona’s biggest-ever Clásico victories.

2. Analyzing the Odds of the Potential of the Golden Boot Winners at the 2022 Football World Cup

   25th November 2022 1:20 pm Leave a Comment

   The World Cup is always an exciting event for soccer fans as it is the chance to see the very best players compete for their countries. Alongside the main tournament there are also gripping side contests like the Golden Boot.

   That is the prize awarded to the player who scores the most goals. While being top scorer was recognized from the start, an actual trophy has only been awarded since 1982.

   Back then it was called the Golden Shoe and the very first one went to Paolo Rossi of Italy who scored 6 goals at that year’s tournament. Notable winners since include England strikers Gary Lineker (1986) and Harry Kane (2018), while the biggest surprise wins were those of Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci in 1990 and Oleg Salenko in 1994 – the latter playing for a team eliminated at the group stage!

   Messi and Ronaldo are both competing this time, but they are not the only ones. Let’s take a look at the main contenders.

   Harry Kane

   The England star would set a new record if he won the prize – as the first player ever to claim the Golden Boot twice. He one of the hot favorites, but there are a couple of things that potentially put him at a disadvantage.

   One is the mediocre form of the England team. They have managed just two wins in 2022 and suffered an embarrassing 0-4 home defeat to Hungary in June.

   A second issue is that the temperatures in Qatar will be higher than anything he is used to. That is true for all of the players from Northern Europe though.

   Kane is certainly hitting his targets in the Premier League and his World Cup odds of +700 will attract a lot of betting.

   Kylian Mbappe

   Mbappe is one of the players tipped to take over from Messi and Ronaldo, when those giants eventually retire. The 23-year-old plays for the 2018 World Cup winners France and a lot of people think this is the tournament where he will break out.

   He scored four times at the last World Cup and has netted 169 goals for Paris Saint-German in the years between 2018 and now. Robert Lewandowski is the only player with a better record.

   Mbappe will have to adjust to the Qatar temperatures and improve on a poor Euro Championships in 2021, where he did not score as France lost in the last 16. He is rated around +900 to win his first Golden Boot, so a lot of people think that he will.

   Karim Benzema

   It says something for how strong France appear to be going into the World Cup that they have two Golden Boot favorites in their team. Benzema is a Ballon d’Or winner and was effectively Ronaldo’s replacement at Real Madrid.

   If that sounds impossible, Benzema has proven up to the task, with an amazing 44 goals from 46 matches for Los Blancos last season. He also scored four times at the Euro Championships in summer 2021, despite only just being back from injury.

   The odds for Benzema are in the region of +1200, which still puts him among the major contenders for the 2022 Golden Boot. Questions about his fitness remain though, plus his age – he is 34 – won’t help in the heat; but a 0.95 goals-per-game average for Madrid last year means he can’t be ruled out.

   Lionel Messi

   This is the last chance for the legendary Messi to win this prize. Somehow, for all his club achievements, his Argentina career has never quite hit the same heights.

   Despite that, he has managed 6 goals from 19 World Cup appearances for them and he will finally be playing for an Argentine team capable of challenging. He is in good form, managing 12 goals from his 19 matches for Paris Saint-Germain, which is reflected in the +1200 odds.

   Messi really wants the World Cup and Golden Boot to round off a glittering career.

   Cristiano Ronaldo

   That is true of his biggest rival too though. Unlike Messi, Ronaldo has tasted glory for his country, as he led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title, but he has never won the Golden Boot.

   He has odds of around +1600 and has started to play more for Manchester United since Erik ten Hag took charge. Ronaldo scored his 700^th club goal during October.

   At 37 years of age, this is his final shot at this tournament and a last opportunity to outshine Messi. Both players should be able to cope with the heat and can create goals for themselves as well as poaching them.

   These are the players to watch out for in the Golden Boot contest and the finale to the Ronaldo and Messi rivalry should be fascinating.

3. 2022 World Cup Topscorer – Messi or Ronaldo

   3rd October 2022 9:13 am Leave a Comment

   The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and football fans are looking forward to seeing the best players in the world grace the pitches of Qatar.

   It’s set to be a great tournament with the likes of Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Germany and Netherlands all expected to do well when looking at the free sports tips that WhichBookie have published for the upcoming tournament. 

   However, the focus should be on two of the greatest players to have ever set foot on the football field as this will be the last time we will see both Lionel Messi and Ronaldo play in a World Cup.

   Messi and Ronaldo have long been rivals on the pitch, in the friendliest way possible, and this will be their last chance to go head-to-head in football’s biggest competition.

   Both players have picked up a string of honours throughout their careers which include winning the Champions League, the European Golden Shoe, the Ballon d’Or, La Liga titles and various other achievements over the years. However, there is one trophy that both players are missing from their cabinets – The World Cup.

   Neither Messi with Argentina or Ronaldo with Portugal have ever won this tournament and at the ages of 35 and 37, this will surely be their final chance to do so. 

   The Messi vs Ronaldo debate will continue long after both players have retired but adding a World Cup trophy to their honours list would give one of the two a huge boost above the other.

   Argentina are one of the bookies favourites to go all the way this year and are priced at around 7/1. Portugal are 8th favourites at 14/1.

   Both sides have the potential to win the World Cup this year but if they are to do so, their key players in Messi & Ronaldo will need to be in top form.

   Looking at the World Cup Top Scorer market, the bookies have the pair side-by-side at odds of 16/1 with only Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema ahead of them in the pecking order.

   Let’s take a look at Lionel Messi’s & Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Stats.

   Messi World Cup Stats

   Lionel Messi has featured in four World Cup competitions throughout his career.

   • Games played: 19
   • Goals: 6
   • Goals per game: 0.32
   • Most World Cup Goals: 4 goals at Brazil 2014

   Ronaldo World Cup Stats

   Similar to Messi, Ronaldo has also played in four separate world cup tournaments with Qatar 2022 being his fifth.

   • Games played: 17
   • Goals: 7
   • Goals per game: 0.41
   • Most World Cup Goals: 4 goals at Russia 2018

   As with many statistics involving the two, there’s not much between them in terms of World Cup scoring records. 

   Both players should get their chances in front of goal during the group stages of the tournament with Argentina drawn into Group C along with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland and Portugal in Group H with Ghana, Uruguay and Korea Republic.

   It really is a toss of the coin as to whether Messi or Ronaldo grabs the most goals in the World Cup this year but with Argentina the more likely of the two teams to progress in the tournament, our bet would be on Lionel Messi, and at odds of 16/1, he looks like a very tempting wager indeed.

4. How is Cryptocurrency is Becoming More Popular in Sports Betting

   26th April 2022 8:20 pm Leave a Comment

   Cryptocurrency has become popular in sports betting in recent years. There are expectations for an increase with the growing demand for cryptocurrency.

   Many high-profile athletes and celebrities accept cryptocurrency as payments for their goods and services or donations to their causes. The adoption of cryptocurrency by such high-profile individuals is helping reduce the stigma associated with digital currencies.

   Many people show interest in buying and using cryptocurrency. Especially with the widespread use of the internet.

   With so many online casinos and bookmakers accepting this type of payment, you can be sure that your money is safe and secure. You can also be sure of safe and secure transactions. Thus, making it an ideal choice for those who want to remain anonymous when they play online. It is important to remember that online sports betting is for people 18+ years old and above.

   However, what makes cryptocurrency becoming more popular in sports betting? Here is a quick breakdown.

   Anonymity

   The first and perhaps most important reason cryptocurrency is becoming so popular is that it enables users to remain anonymous. When you use a cryptocurrency for sports betting, you don’t need to provide your name or bank details. This anonymity is one of the main reasons cryptocurrency has become so popular in the gambling industry.

   There is a lot of competition for crypto coins in the sports betting industry, as there are many types of cryptocurrencies. As more and more people use them, the competition will intensify. Thus, the value of the coins will increase even further. However, it will be hard for any single coin to dominate the market, as they are all unique in their way.

   Faster Transactions

   Payment processing is one of the biggest challenges in gambling. Not every site accepts credit cards as a payment method. They are also not available in all countries, and banks can limit their use.

   Bank transfers, e-wallets, and other alternative payment methods are also problematic for gambling because of fraud and chargebacks. They can delay payments and sometimes don’t go through at all.

   Cryptocurrencies have solved many of these issues. Transactions are faster than bank transfers, and they are irreversible. Therefore, there is no way to reverse a transaction after it goes through.

   Security and Privacy

   When you bet online with a bookmaker, you will have to provide them with personal information such as your ID or passport. The bookmaker will also require that you verify your email address and mobile phone number. In addition, you will have to provide your credit card details as well.

   Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning that no central authority or bank controls the currencies. This is why cryptocurrencies were invented. To make transactions secure and private without the need for a third party such as a bank. It is also important to note that financial institutions are not obliged to report transactions made with cryptocurrencies to tax authorities.

   Greater Acceptance of Cryptocurrencies

   One of the main ways cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular on sports betting sites is by increasing their acceptance by bookmakers and other organizations. Although it is still less common to find bookmakers accepting cryptocurrencies than it is with traditional payment methods, there are a growing number of them who accept them.

   This number is constantly increasing. For example, some online bookmakers are recently accepting Bitcoin payments from players. Moreover, many other bookmakers have followed suit over the last few years. Many people also feel that Bitcoin is a fast, secure, and reliable way to bet on sports.

   Low Transaction Fees

   Another reason why the cryptocurrency is becoming more popular in sports betting is because of low transaction fees. Unlike traditional methods such as credit cards, which charge high processing fees, cryptocurrencies have incredibly low transaction fees.

   For example, Ethereum charges only $0.30 per transaction regardless of the amount you are processing. Even Bitcoin charges lower transaction fees than credit cards and banks.

   Speed

   Lastly, cryptocurrency is gaining popularity in sports betting because of its speed. Unlike other payment options such as bank wire transfers that take several days to clear, cryptocurrency payments are instantly processed.

   They don’t go through intermediaries such as banks or payment processors. The process happens directly between two parties, allowing users to instantly receive their money or withdraw funds from their casino accounts anytime they want.

   Final Takeaway

   In the past, most of the bettors who used cryptocurrency were generally investors because of the high level of anonymity and security it offered. Nowadays, some sportsbooks have decided to start accepting crypto sports betting. The future looks only bright for crypto-bettors.

5. Ronaldo vs Messi – who’s had the best summer?

   11th July 2021 3:38 pm Leave a Comment

   Summer 2021 has been a busy time for football, with tournaments gripping Europe and South America. The two greatest footballers on the scene, and perhaps of all time, have both been representing their countries in the tournaments; Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, and Lionel Messi for Argentina.

   Many commentators and pundits frequently compare the two players. Both are high scoring players, frequently breaking the 50 goal mark in club football seasons, both leading their countries on the international scene, and both receiving awards for their footballing prowess. Many compare their rivalry to that of Ali and Frazier or Borg and McEnroe, or even Senna and Prost. However, they both have very different styles both on and off the pitch.

   Ronaldo was one of the most talked about players this summer due to his impressive performances; the social tracker shows all the information, statistics and details of all teams and players who have taken part in the competition. Though Portugal was eliminated from the competition, Ronaldo is still one of the most mentioned players, with a Social Tracker Score of 10.0, 620 mentions in a week, and over 90 million followers.

   Argentina, on the other hand, are still in the Copa America, no doubt in part due to the stellar performances by Messi. Argentina are unbeaten in their last 19 games, with their last loss coming in 2019 in the semi-final of the Copa America against Brazil. Messi has scored five goals so far and been instrumental in a further 15, a remarkable feat that has yet to be matched by another player, and makes Messi the leader in the race for the 2021 Copa America Golden Boot.

   Both Ronaldo and Messi are exceptional players, but is one better than the other?

   Ronaldo

   Ronaldo is currently leading the race for the Golden boot with five goals, despite Portugal being out of the competition. Whilst it is possible for Harry Kane of the England Team to beat this, he will need to score twice in the final to secure this accolade, and Ronaldo remains the favourite to win. He has also set records for scoring in every match, and set (and subsequently broke) the record for overall goals, a record which now stands at 14.

   Ronaldo’s performance at this summer has matched the world record for most international goals by any male player; 109 in 177 games (there are several female players who far exceed this record). He also holds the record for playing in the most tournaments; this is his fifth, and is the only player to score in all five, as well as being the defending champion going into the current competition.

   Ronaldo has also been a key player in the FIFA World Cup over the years. Making his debut in 2006 at just 21 when Portugal finished fourth eliminating England on penalties, where Ronaldo scored taking Portugal into the semi-finals where they lost to a strong French side. Though Portugal have yet to win a FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo has been the recipient of the Ballon d’Or on five occasions, and hold the record for being the youngest ever recipient of the award at just 20.

   Messi

   Messi is, like Ronaldo, currently leading the pack when it comes to goals, with 4 so far in Copa America 2021. He has scored 12 goals in all Copa America’s, and has led his team to the finals in 2007, 2015, and 2016, but has yet to secure a win. Argentina is through to the semi-finals this year with a 3-0 win over Ecuador, with Messi assisting with the first two goals and scoring the third from a free kick in injury time.

   Argentina have won the FIFA World Cup on two occasions, though both long before Messi started playing. Messi has scored six times in the World Cup, the first time as an 18-year old in his debut against Serbia. A rocky start to his career did not see him playing regularly for the national team until 2010, where he won the first of a record breaking six Ballons d’Or. By 2018, Messi was captain and led Argentina to the final, where they were beaten by a strong German side.

   Messi has also previously won the Golden Ball at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, an award given to the best player of the tournament. Messi has also won the Olympic Gold in Beijing 2008.

   Comparative table

   Goals

   	Ronaldo	Messi
   World Cup Goals	7	6
   Other tournaments	14	10
   Total Games	42	49
   Total Penalties	5	2

   Who is the better player?

   It is hard to say categorically that one player is better than the other. Ronaldo has won an international trophy with Portugal, whereas Messi has got close to both the World Cup and Copa America but failed to win. Messi has won the Golden Ball and won the Ballon d’Or on more occasions. But Ronaldo has scored more goals in international tournaments than Messi.

   Both players are undoubtedly leaders in their field, and both have a strong track record at both club and international level, and despite their relative advanced age for the sport, both will have future opportunities to continue to collect wins and awards.

6. How Would Messi Rank if he was Playing in Euro 2020?

   30th June 2021 9:28 am Leave a Comment

   One of the greatest players that has ever lived, Lionel Messi has achieved everything at domestic level. With Barcelona, he has lifted the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Rey trophies while being acknowledged, via the Ballon D’Or, as the best player in the world on six separate occasions.

   If there is one thing missing from his illustrious CV, it’s a major honour at international level. With Euro 2020 currently being played on another continent, it’s interesting to ask just how Messi would rank if he was eligible to take part.

   No Slowing Down

   Barcelona may have their collective issues as a squad but Lionel Messi is still returning incredible statistics at the age of 34. Across the 2020/21 domestic season, the Argentinian scored 30 goals in 35 La Liga matches and recorded 38 in 47 games overall.

   That return marked an improvement on the attacker’s scoring ratio last season so it may well be that Messi can still get better with age. On the international stage, Argentina look poised to head through to the knockout phase of the 2021 Copa America. Lionel Messi scored his team’s first goal of the tournament and he followed that up with a brace in Argentina’s 4-1 demolition of Bolivia in game four.

   It would be fitting for the player to end his career with a major medal for Argentina and maybe this could be his year.

   European Teams in Contention

   As Euro 2020 reached the knockout stage, Messi’s great rival Cristiano Ronaldo was defeated, along with his Portuguese side at the hands of Belgium. You can check out this website to see just who remains in contention with England, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark among those aiming for glory.

   Spain are also through after a dramatic 5-3 extra time victory over Croatia. Lionel Messi has spent so much time in the Spanish set up that it’s easy to imagine him slotting into this side along with some of his Barcelona teammates. The question, however, is based on Argentina and their potential to succeed in the Euros.

   Individual Comparisons

   For the majority of his career, Lionel Messi has drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese rival may just provide an answer to this conundrum. Portugal are a side with talented individuals but it’s Ronaldo who has turned them into winners. He was a vital part of the side that won the Euros in 2016 and, while his team are out of this year’s competition, he may yet win the Golden Boot as leading scorer.

   In 179 full internationals, Cristiano Ronaldo has found the net 109 times. In comparison, Lionel Messi’s double in the win over Bolivia took his total to 75 from 148. Ronaldo has the better ratio but those statistics underline the importance of both men to their respective international teams.

   Both Ronaldo and Messi have set new national records in terms of appearances and most goals scored. Nobody can ever be a one-man team but these two players have a bigger impact on their respective nations than anyone else in the game.

   Starring Role

   Comparisons between those two players are inevitable but the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo drove his Portugal team to success in Euro 2016 gives us an answer to this question. Anything CR7 can do, Messi can match and it’s therefore plausible that Argentina could succeed in the European Championships.

   As an individual, Lionel Messi could also rank highly in terms of Player of the Tournament and Leading Tournament Goal Scorer awards. Not surprisingly, Ronaldo made it into the team of the tournament for the European Championships in 2004, 2012 and 2016. That’s an accolade that Messi would surely reproduce if his Argentina side were able to play in the competition.

   At the World Cup in Brazil back in 2014, Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. This was despite the fact that his Argentina team lost out in the final to eventual champions Germany. At the Euros, with some of the world’s best teams taken out of the equation, he would surely shine even brighter.

   Difference Maker

   It is, of course, inconceivable that the rules will change to allow South American teams into European international competition. We may have seen Australia enter the Eurovision Song Contest but football’s European Championship is a far more serious affair and it’s unlikely to follow suit. Each organisation within FIFA also has its own major tournament and the Argentinians need to focus on the Copa America.

   Speaking hypothetically, if Argentina were to play in Europe’s biggest international tournament, they would surely stand a good chance of winning the trophy. The man driving them on is Lionel Messi. We’ve seen that telling comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo but, more importantly, he is the key to every successful Argentinian team of the last few years.

   A World Cup winners medal would offer a fitting end to a brilliant career but, at the Euros, Lionel Messi would surely rank as the best player among his European counterparts.

7. Where could Messi end up playing next season?

   14th May 2021 8:06 am Leave a Comment

   Barcelona have had a somewhat difficult time over the past couple of years, at least by their own lofty standards. Last season they missed out on any major silverware, finishing second in La Liga and only making it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

   They’re still in contention for this year’s league title but currently sit at third and they also crashed out of the Champions League even earlier this time around, when they lost to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16.

   That being said, they are still a juggernaut of European football and have the ability to attract the best players in the world so if you’re taking advantage of these 38 new betting offers for May 2021, don’t rule Barcelona out of being back to their imperious best and reclaiming the Champions League next season.

   Last season, Barcelona’s long-time captain and global superstar Lionel Messi handed in a transfer request. The news stunned the sporting world, but Messi’s move was ultimately blocked and he conceded that the only way to leave the club would be to take them to court, so he elected to stay.

   This season, the Argentine has already racked up more goals than he did last year, netting 36 of them in 45 appearances, compared to 31 goals in the 2019-20 season across all competitions.

   Clearly, as the club’s top scorer, Messi is an integral part of the team and would leave an enormous hole should he leave. His current contract is up at the end of this season, leading many to speculate about which shirt he will be pulling on for the 2021-22 campaign.

   As things stand, Messi could well be committing his future to the club he’s spent his life at. Reports have emerged that the 33-year-old has informed Barcelona that he would be willing to take a paycut to his eye-watering 40million Euro per year salary, but only if the club make clear assurances over their actions in the summer transfer window.

   Apparently, Messi has agreed to the pay cut so that Barcelona can use the money saved from it to finance the signing of Borussia Dortmund standout Erling Haaland.

   New Barcelona boss Joan Laporta – who has made it clear one of his priorities is to get Messi to stay – apparently promised that the club are set to begin negotiating a deal for Haaland, thereby securing Messi’s future with the La Liga giants.

   Laporta also has a good relationship with super-agent Mino Raiola, who is in charge of Haaland’s affairs, making a deal even more likely.

   Aside from the money saved with Messi’s new deal, Barcelona would also still need to find further funding to complete a deal for Haaland, who Dortmund insist is not for sale. To that end, the top brass at the club are reportedly meeting with an investment firm.

   While there’s still a lot that needs to fall into place for Messi to stick with Barcelona, it seems like the signs are pointing toward the all-time great staying with the club he’s found so much success with.

   However, PSG still remain an enticing option for the six-time Ballon D’or winner. Reports claim that PSG bosses are determined to sign Messi in order to bolster an attacking line that already boasts the talents of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

   After being knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City recently, the Ligue 1 side are apparently now on the hunt for Messi while holding on to Neymar and Mbappe, which would make their offense one of the best in the world.

   PSG are one of the few sides who could actually afford Messi, plus there’s the added incentive of a reunion with former teammate Neymar, who has previously hinted at a Messi signing for his current club.

   English fans were excited at the prospect of Messi settling on their shores when City emerged as one of the main contenders to sign him when he announced his intention to leave Barca at the end of last season.

   Like PSG, the Premier League side have the financial means to procure Messi’s talents, though there have been no confirmed reports that the club are in the market for him. Plus, they’re currently managed by Pep Guardiola, who still has a positive relationship with Messi after guiding him through some of his golden years at Barcelona.

   The wildcard option for Messi would be somewhere like New York City FC. He has previously expressed a keen interest in playing and living in North America, despite the stark contrasts to Europe.

   Other European greats like Thierry Henry, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have ended their careers over in America, setting a precedent for Messi to follow. New York would be the favoured choice given their sister-links to Man City, through the City Football Group. This would ensure the money is there to get Messi on side.

   Arguably the greatest footballer to ever live, Messi is at an interesting crossroads in his career. He looks to have the option of staying with his lifelong club, if they can meet his transfer demands, though there are other huge sides like PSG and Manchester City who could cough up the money required to provide him with new challenges.

8. Messi Net Worth Vs Ronaldo Net Worth – What Fun Could They Buy

   14th April 2021 8:57 am Leave a Comment

   Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both exceptionally great athletes and their success has brought them wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Average Joes like us can’t even really understand how much money they earn every year.

   But let’s try to give some perspective to those numbers, shall we.

   Ronaldo Net Worth

   Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated to be $500 million in 2021 and that makes him one of the richest athletes in the world. Last year Ronaldo was listed 4th in Forbes 2020 Celebrity 100 Earnings with massive 105 million dollars. Roughly $60 million came from salary and winnings and $45 million from endorsements.

   Cristiano Ronaldo – Fun Facts

   Cristiano Ronaldo is sponsored by one of the biggest nutrition supplement companies in the world, Herbalife. Ronaldo has given a face to one of Herbalife’s sports products CR7 Drive. If Ronaldo would use all his net worth to buy this nutrition supplement, he would get over 10,000 tons of it. And that would be roughly the weight of 64 adult blue whales, the largest mammals on the planet.

   Messi Net Worth

   And how does Lionel Messi compare to those numbers? Well, it doesn’t look like he’s falling that much behind with his $400 million net worth. But when you think about it, with that extra $100 million Messi could buy a 20 oz. bottle of Pepsi every minute for almost a 100 years. Yeah, it’s a ridiculous amount of money. And Pepsi.

   Lionel Messi – Fun Facts

   So what could Messi buy with all the money he has? With his $400 million net worth Lionel Messi could buy 2.4 million Adidas Finale 21 20th Anniversary UEFA Champions League Pro Balls. Unless Messi would get some discount since he is a brand ambassador for Adidas. If you would put all those soccer balls in a row and start driving 60 mph next to them, you would reach the end of the ball line in 5.5 hours.

   How Long Could You Play Online Casino Slots If You Combined Messi’s And Ronaldo’s Net Worth?

   As we have noticed, it is quite nice to be Messi or Ronaldo sitting on top of all that money. But what could you do if you combined all that fortune? You wouldn’t be bored, that’s for sure. Everyone needs to have hobbies, and since Messi and Ronaldo play sports and most likely enjoy a little bit of excitement themselves, let’s see how long they could entertain themselves with online casino gambling.

   One of the all time favorite online casino slots is Starburst and the maximum bet in the slot is $200. So, with Ronaldo’s and Messi’s combined net worth you could hit the play button on Starburst every 10 seconds for 1.5 years. And that’s if you wouldn’t win once, which wouldn’t be the case. You would most likely get to continue playing for the rest of your life. 

   Even if you don’t have the fortunes of these famous soccer players, gambling is a lot of fun. Especially with the right accessories. Like soccer players optimate their gear, online casino gamblers can boost their playing. For example if you claim a Michigan online casino bonus offer, you can try to top up your net worth and become as wealthy as Messi and Ronaldo.

9. Records Ronaldo Has Broken While Playing at Juventus

   23rd February 2021 12:54 pm Leave a Comment

   Ronaldo is such a legend that rarely do people refer to him by his full name – you simply don’t have to. Cristiano Ronaldo, or in full Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santo Aveiro, is one of football’s most formidable names. 

   Born on February 5, 1985, in Portugal, he has turned into one of the greatest players of his generation and all time.

   Ronaldo is at present playing for Juventus and has put them in a position where almost all clubs will find them a formidable opponent, considering Juventus to win any game should certainly be on fans and punters minds. Betting on Ronaldo to score always seems like a reliable prospect, with sportsbooks usually tipping him as most likely to score in any game he plays.

   

   What is it that has taken Ronaldo from local sports clubs to international fame?

   He’s won several trophies, multiple awards and is world-famous. People of all ages admire his on-pitch prowess. 

   Let’s take a look at records Ronaldo has broken while playing at Juventus and a little bit about the player himself.

   Ronaldo’s 2019 to 2020 season at Juventus

   It’s no secret that Ronaldo is one of the most hard-working footballers around. He has an incredible work out regime and a tremendous passion for what he does. 

   His 2019/20 season was incredible. Juventus benefited from a whopping 37 goals. And that was the record for the most amount of goals in a single season.

   But that is not the only record Cristiano Ronaldo set in 2019. 

   He has won the Portuguese player of the year award ten times. Ronaldo was awarded the Portuguese player of the year award for all of his work for club and country. 

   Even winning once is a huge deal. Ten times is quite the feat.

   The award means he was the most consistent and best player over the last decade and looks set to keep that trend going.

   Ronaldo was also nominated for the FIFA player of the year award for the 12th time. However, this year he was also shared with Lionel Messi and Virgel Van Dijk.

   Lionel Messi and Ronaldo have both been shortlisted 12 times. However, this is a massive feat for both of them.

   In 2019 Cristiano Ronaldo also went down in history for winning the most number of UEFA competitions. He is the first player in history to walk away with 10 winning trophies in the UEFA competitions. 

   Including: 

   • 3 UEFA super cup titles, 
   • one European Championship title, 
   • five Champion League titles, 
   • one UEFA Nations League title.

   While all of those things are very impressive, there is still more to go. Ronaldo has been the quickest player to reach 50 goals scored in Serie A too. 

   In fact, he is the first player to score more than 50 goals in La Liga, Serie A, and the Premiership.

   All of which are outstanding – but he has a track record for being incredible.

   Ronaldo‘s other records and awards

   If you are looking for a timeline of incredible sports performance, passion, and dedication to the game, then Ronaldo is it. 

   From the moment he signed for Manchester United, he was a sensation on the pitch. And went on to become regarded as one of the best, if not the best, forward in the game. 

   In 2007-08, he scored a massive 42 league and cup goals. Those 42 league and cup goals gave Ronaldo the Golden Boot award as Europe’s leading scorer.

   Ronaldo then moved to Spain’s Real Madrid for a record £80 million transfer fee. He then netted 40 goals in La Liga and scored a personal-best of 46 goals during the La Liga championship league season.

   In 56 appearances, he had scored a total of 66 goals.

   All in all, since his teenage years, he has won over 300 trophies and medals—thirty-one senior awards in his career and 17 titles from friendly competitions. 

   Here’s a list of the number of the trophies won by Ronaldo up to 2020:

   • 5 Champions League (four times with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United)
   • 4 FIFA Club World Cup
   • 3 Premier League
   • 3 UEFA super cup
   • 2 La Liga
   • 2 Copa del Rey
   • 2 English League Cup
   • 2 Spanish Super Cup
   • 2 English community shield
   • 2 Serie A
   • 1 Italian super Cup
   • 1 FA Cup 
   • 1 Portuguese super cup

   (Source: Statista)

   How Does Ronaldo Remain So Fit?

   Footballers only have a finite time where they are considered the peak of their career. However, Cristiano Ronaldo appears just as fit now as he started.

   His incredible fitness regime and, as well as eating a rigorous diet, has made his time with Juventus (and previous clubs) a complete success.

   Ronaldo describes chicken as his magic food, although his diet also includes many dishes with swordfish, tuna, and cod. He invests his time in chicken as it is high protein and low-fat.

   Ronaldo will enjoy breakfast, a snack, two lunches, a snack, and two dinners. 

   He said that he enjoys up to 5 naps a day. Having proper sleep is very important for getting the most out of his intense training regime. 

   He also goes to bed early and gets up early too. 

   Of course, sleep helps his muscles recover from the challenging workout he puts them through.

   Ronaldo follows a strict routine that involves Pilates, resistance training, a deep focus on his core, and a big focus on swimming.

   Ronaldo says that he always puts his mental health and physical fitness to make sure that he is happy on and off the pitch.

   Juventus will undoubtedly benefit in the future from all of his hard work. 

10. Ronaldo vs Messi: Could This Year Be the End of An Era?

    16th February 2021 1:26 pm Leave a Comment

    

    One of the most prominent questions held by football fans and commentators across the world is ‘who are the best footballers?’.

    Before 2007, Kaka and many other footballers were fortunate to make the list of ‘great’ players. However, post-2007, the list was reduced to two phenomenal sportsmen, Ronaldo and Messi.

    Here is an overview of Ronaldo’s and Messi’s most significant achievements to date.

    Fifa Ballon D’ors Awards

    Ronaldo – 5

    Messi – 6

    Best Fifa Men’s Player Awards

    Ronaldo – 2

    Messi – 1

    Total Goals Scored

    Ronaldo – 762

    Messi – 740

    To zone in on each Player’s recent performance, here are their stats from last year (2020);

    Club Goals

    Ronaldo – 41

    Messi – 26

    International Goals

    Ronaldo – 3

    Messi – 1

    Hat-tricks

    Ronaldo – 1

    Messi – 1

    Major Individual Trophies

    Ronaldo – 3

    Messi – 3

    In 2020, Ronaldo’s performance surpassed Messi’s. But this does not in any way discount Messi’s performance on an individual stance. Overall, both players, despite their age, still outperform their peers. But at some point, this will change.

    Is Retirement on The Horizon For Ronaldo and Messi?

    The average retirement age for pro footballers is 35. Recently, Ronaldo turned 36, and Messi will turn 34 in June. As such, there are talks about if and when these players will leave their jobs.

    In December 2019, on accepting his Ballon d’Or, the Argentina captain Messi, publicly admitted his awareness that ‘retirement is approaching.’ Revealing the subject has been on his mind as of late.

    Messi’s contract with La Ligas Barcelona will end this summer. But Barcelona’s president believes if Messi extends his contract with them, he won’t retire for another three to four years.

    As for Ronaldo, during the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards last December, where he earned the ‘Player of the Century’ award. Ronaldo explained to Gulf News he has no intention of retiring anytime soon. And he’s prepared to continue making sacrifices to continue his profession for the next two to three years.

    Its common once footballers have passed their peak to play in lower leagues or seek another position relative to their experience. Such as work as a commentator or coach. But both players remain exceptionally desirable on the pitch.

    Therefore, the Ballon d’Or awards may continue to be dominated by Ronaldo and Messi for the next three or more years. Unless, of course, other players rise through the ranks. Which leads us to the next question.

    Who Has the Potential to Replace Ronaldo and Messi?

    If sport has taught us anything, it’s that there’s always someone stronger, faster, and more strategic working their way through the ranks.

    While it’s unlikely any footballers will gain the top spot while Ronaldo and Messi are on the field. It’s exciting to weigh up other players’ potential. Fans and punters across the world who enjoy placing a bet on a football match will be keen to keep an eye on any upcoming young professional players who could possibly disrupt the odds for many football teams and their positions on the table at the end of the season.

    Here are a few players with promising futures that may eventually reach the status of Ronaldo and Messi.

    Neymar

    Neymar has achieved 58 champions league appearances and scored 35 goals. However, he hasn’t won a Ballon d’Or like Ronaldo and Messi.

    Last year, Neymar’s’ transfer from Barcelona to St Germain cost £198 million, making him the most expensive player in history!

    With such a high price tag, Neymar’s performance has been heavily scrutinized as of late. And while he is highly regarded as a great player. Football fans are unsure his football skills will ever match up to Messi and Ronaldo’.

    Kylian Mbappe

    At the age of 21, Mbappe achieved 4 French cups, 4 Ligue 1 titles, and 104 goals. In comparison, Ronaldo, and Messi, by this age, scored 27 and 42 goals.

    Mbappe was also a significant player in France’s World Cup. Not to mention at just 19 years old, Kylian achieved 4th place for the most prestigious award in football, the Ballon d’Or. Perhaps Mbappe will give Ronaldo and Messi a run for the award in the next few years.

    

    Erling Halland

    Erling is a confident footballer who has gained an excellent reputation through his European performances and time with RB Salzburg.

    After achieving 29 goals for Salzburg, he moved up the ranks to Borussia Dortmund. So far with BVB, Halland has achieved 16 goals in 18 games. With promising results this far, Halland might have what it takes to gain star status in football.

    Ansu Fati

    Barcelona player Ansu launched his career in youth football and gained a spot in La Ligas Barcelona when he was just 16 years old.

    Messi has previously stated Fati could ‘become one of the best’ footballers, providing he stays focused. Perhaps Fati won’t be an immediate top pick for bettors; however, over time, with age and experience, he’s likely to mature into a significant player in the footballing world.

    Is This the End of an Era for Messi and Ronaldo?

    For two footballers to maintain notoriety for a decade like Messi and Ronaldo is extraordinary.

    There are a few players who have a promising future in football. Perhaps even some, such as Mbappe, are likely to accrue a Ballon d’Or in their careers. But still, these players are incomparable to Messi and Ronaldo.

    Whether this year marks the end of an era depends on whether Ronaldo and Messi’s age affects their performance and drive to maintain the top position. What appears certain is that neither footballer will give up anytime soon, and so for now, the rivalry continues.

What do you think? Have your say…

So who's the best?

• Lionel Messi
• Cristiano Ronaldo

View Results

 Loading ...