Messi puts Ronaldo to shade
Source: Agencies |
April 12, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE battle for the World Player of the Year award had shifted to his home turf but Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was again upstaged by Lionel Messi of Barcelona in Saturday's "Clasico" at the Bernabeu.
Fresh from hitting four past Arsenal in the Champions League last Tuesday, current World Player Messi netted the Catalans' opening goal, while the previous year's winner Ronaldo was limited to a few sprints, a couple of shots and a smattering of showy stepovers and flicks.
To add insult to injury, disgruntled fans whistled the Portuguese late in the match, suggesting they have yet to be convinced he is worth the record 94 million euros (US$126 million) Real paid Manchester United for him.
"Too much Messi for CR9," was the headline in yesterday's Madrid-based Marca sports daily, while its peer in Barcelona, Sport, trumpeted: "Leo makes a fool of Cristiano in the clash of the stars."
Silverware is key to winning the FIFA World Player award and Barcelona's 2-0 victory put the champion (with 80 points) three points clear of its arch-rival at the top of La Liga with seven matches left.
The defeat left Ronaldo and Real facing a trophy-less season after their exits from Europe and the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona, if it gets through its Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, will also have a chance to win a second successive title in May's final at the Bernabeu.
"All the fans have the same feeling right now: the scepter for the best player in the world is Messi's - and it could be for a long time to come," Marca columnist Roberto Palomar wrote yesterday.
The 22-year-old Messi, whose form will be crucial to Argentina's hopes at the World Cup finals, tops La Liga scoring chart with 27 goals to Portugal international Ronaldo's 18.
He is also the leading marksman in the Champions League with eight. Ronaldo managed seven before Real was dumped out by Lyon, the sixth season in a row it failed to reach the last eight.
On Saturday, Messi struck in the 33rd minute before Pedro doubled the visitors' lead in the 56th with a clinical left-foot strike.
Both goals were created by Barcelona's Spain midfielder Xavi, the first when he chipped the ball to Messi over the Real defense and the second when he sent Pedro clear to finish with a low strike beyond goalie Iker Casillas.
Messi twice came close to adding to his tally and Barca goalie Victor Valdes was rarely troubled as Real struggled against the European champion's slick passing game and dominance of possession.
Real manager Manuel Pellegrini said his players had appeared anxious but noted it was unusual to restrict Barca to so few chances.
"It's a big blow but they can't consider themselves champions yet," the Chilean told a news conference.
In earlier matches, Sevilla moved within five points of third-placed Valencia when it fought back to beat struggling Andalucian rival Malaga 2-1.
Sevilla occupies the fourth Champions League spot on 51 points.
Fresh from hitting four past Arsenal in the Champions League last Tuesday, current World Player Messi netted the Catalans' opening goal, while the previous year's winner Ronaldo was limited to a few sprints, a couple of shots and a smattering of showy stepovers and flicks.
To add insult to injury, disgruntled fans whistled the Portuguese late in the match, suggesting they have yet to be convinced he is worth the record 94 million euros (US$126 million) Real paid Manchester United for him.
"Too much Messi for CR9," was the headline in yesterday's Madrid-based Marca sports daily, while its peer in Barcelona, Sport, trumpeted: "Leo makes a fool of Cristiano in the clash of the stars."
Silverware is key to winning the FIFA World Player award and Barcelona's 2-0 victory put the champion (with 80 points) three points clear of its arch-rival at the top of La Liga with seven matches left.
The defeat left Ronaldo and Real facing a trophy-less season after their exits from Europe and the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona, if it gets through its Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, will also have a chance to win a second successive title in May's final at the Bernabeu.
"All the fans have the same feeling right now: the scepter for the best player in the world is Messi's - and it could be for a long time to come," Marca columnist Roberto Palomar wrote yesterday.
The 22-year-old Messi, whose form will be crucial to Argentina's hopes at the World Cup finals, tops La Liga scoring chart with 27 goals to Portugal international Ronaldo's 18.
He is also the leading marksman in the Champions League with eight. Ronaldo managed seven before Real was dumped out by Lyon, the sixth season in a row it failed to reach the last eight.
On Saturday, Messi struck in the 33rd minute before Pedro doubled the visitors' lead in the 56th with a clinical left-foot strike.
Both goals were created by Barcelona's Spain midfielder Xavi, the first when he chipped the ball to Messi over the Real defense and the second when he sent Pedro clear to finish with a low strike beyond goalie Iker Casillas.
Messi twice came close to adding to his tally and Barca goalie Victor Valdes was rarely troubled as Real struggled against the European champion's slick passing game and dominance of possession.
Real manager Manuel Pellegrini said his players had appeared anxious but noted it was unusual to restrict Barca to so few chances.
"It's a big blow but they can't consider themselves champions yet," the Chilean told a news conference.
In earlier matches, Sevilla moved within five points of third-placed Valencia when it fought back to beat struggling Andalucian rival Malaga 2-1.
Sevilla occupies the fourth Champions League spot on 51 points.
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