In terms of modern football stars, few (if any) players can hold a candle to names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Both of these personalities have enjoyed success for years and it seems as if they are not going anywhere any time soon. These long-time rivals are also known for their highly competitive nature; an observation clearly illustrated in their FIFA EA Sports rankings. However, is it possible that Messi might once again take the lead over his counterpart? Let’s take a look at what some of professional industry analysts have had to say.

His Track Record Alone

It is impossible to deny the talent of Messi. This observation has been bolstered by the fact that he walked away with his sixth Ballon d’Or while playing for Barcelona during the 2018-2019 season. To put such an achievement into perspective, Messi scored 24 goals while appearing in 31 games during this same time period. When we then take into account 16 assists, it makes perfect sense that he will remain an integral element if Barcelona hopes to garner their third La Liga title. How does his performance stack up against Ronaldo? Here is a quick breakdown to put things into perspective:

• Messi (all competitions): 472 goals and 176 assists.
• Ronaldo (all competitions): 450 goals and 119 assists.

It is therefor clear to see that Messi enjoys a slight edge over Ronaldo in terms of overall performance and effectiveness.

What Can We Expect from FIFA 21?

FIFA 21 is one of the most highly anticipated virtual football platforms and it is expected to be released on 9 October 2020. Thus, we do not have long to wait for what is in store. This is also why there has been a growing amount of conjecture of how both Messi and Ronaldo will rank.

Experts believe that has FIFA rating is set to jump up a point from 94 to 95. In the same respect, we should expect Ronaldo to increase from 93 to 94. Thus, he is still only a single point behind. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Messi will once again enjoy bragging rights in terms of his overall FIFA ranking.

Nothing is Certain

While online casino and sports betting aficionados will undoubtedly be interested in what FIFA 21 has in store, the fact that Messi is slated to take the top spot once again suggests that Barcelona could very well be in for a truly stellar season. Might they be able to clinch the La Liga title? This would certainly be rewarding for fans who have been forced to endure recent gaming restrictions.

Still, Ronaldo is a force to be reckoned with. At 35 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down and it is for this reason alone why he can never be taken for granted while on the pitch. It will be very interesting to see what the remainder of the football season has in store.