Football APIs: How to select the right football data provider [2025]
For years, fans have passionately debated the question: Who is the greatest football player of all time—Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Some have argued that other players, such as Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, and Pelé, should be included in the debate. Now, with data at the heart of modern football analysis, Sportmonks offers a groundbreaking opportunity to finally approach this debate objectively. As you can imagine, there is not much data on the three players mentioned, and in general, people debated Messi and Ronaldo way more often. So, for this blog, we will compare these two players.
Imagine accessing detailed comparisons of Messi and Ronaldo, from goals and assists to advanced metrics like performance consistency in decisive matches, deep statistics, and influence on team performance. With comprehensive insights, fans can explore every facet of their careers, from club dominance to international triumphs.
Yet, the debate is not without challenges. Some argue that statistics can’t measure leadership, clutch moments, and intangible qualities. Others question whether data might favour attackers like Messi and Ronaldo while underrepresenting other roles. Still, as data analytics evolve, the dream of resolving football’s most captivating rivalry becomes more tangible.
Both are at the end of their careers; Messi is playing in the United States, and Ronaldo is doing one of his last shows in Saudi Arabia.
Time to read
9 min
Published
November 18, 2020
Last updated
March 14, 2025