Opinion: The 4 reasons why Ronaldo's legendary status at Madrid is less than Messi's own at Barca

Unarguably the two best Footballers since the turn of the decade. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's level of consistency as been mind blowing and unbelievable.For the last ten years, both Players have broken several football records and still doing so currently. They have 11 Ballon Dor awards between them with Ronaldo amassing 5 and Messi 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo spent 9 years at Real Madrid after signing from Manchester United in 2009, why Messi plays for Barcelona, Madrid's rivals till date. Although Ronaldo has since moved on to Juventus for a "new challenge", Messi still plays for Barca as he has been doing throughout his club football playing career.

Looking back at Ronaldo's time at Real Madrid where he scored 450 goals in 435 apps, we compare his legendary status at the club to that of his eternal rival, Messi who still plays for Madrid's rivals, Barcelona.

Having become Madrid's all time leading goalscorer, beating the likes of Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo is obviously a Real Madrid legend. But let us see the 4 reasons why his legendary status in Madrid should not be compared to Messi's own at Barcelona.

4. Shirt Number Retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo left Madrid for Juventus in a not so smooth sailing environment. But for what he did for Madrid, his jersey number could have been retired seeing that it would take ages for another Cristiano Ronaldo to show up. Hazard has already proven last season that this fact is true. In the case of Messi, although he has been having issues with Barcelona recently, there are talks that when he retires, the jersey number 10 would also be retired for what he has done for the club.

3. Popularity among Club fans

When Ronaldo left Real Madrid, there were some major sections of Madrid fans that were happy. Claiming the club can now move on and breathe a breath of fresh air. We heard the recent talks of Messi's exit from Barcelona, the Argentine had not left yet but majority of the fans were already protesting and were seriously sad to hear that news. Meaning if he actually left or leaves, Barcelona would receive a serious backlash from their fans and his supporters.

2. Duration of time at the club

Cristiano Ronaldo spent 9 years at Real Madrid compared to Messi's two decades at Barcelona. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid's current striker has even spent more, 11 at the Santiago Benarbau. Yes the Portuguese's hunger for a new challenge is good but it has affected his legendary status at Madrid compared to that of his eternal rival at Barcelona due to the number of years he spent in Spain.

1. Issues with Club Heirarachy

Cristiano Ronaldo revealed after his exit from Madrid that he left the club because club President, Florentino Perez now found him dispensable. Compared to Messi's recent issues with Barcelona's heirarchy, it is more of the Board Members leaving than Messi. Eric Abidal has already left his Director role. Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu who has come under serious pressure looks set to leave office just for the happiness of Messi. No Player is bigger than a club, this fact is very true but when it comes to Messi, Barcelona's board are trying to mess with this fact. Ronaldo left for Perez but in Barca, it looks like Bartomeu would leave for Messi.

Do you agree and who do you think is more of a club Legend ?

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