Why the Messi vs Ronaldo debate must stop immediately

Barcelona star Lionel Messi says that he does not want to be compared to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, or anyone else -- and understandably so.

La Pulga, now 28 years of age, is the world's best player having picked up the 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Ronaldo and his Barcelona teammate Neymar. As a result, the humble Argentinean is not keen to get involved in the debate over who is the best and has repeatedly insisted that he prefers to focus on his own game.

"The press looks to compare players to one another, but everyone is different. All I want is to help my team to grow each season," Messi told Egyptian TV station MBC. "I don't compare myself to Cristiano nor to anyone. I only try to think of me, of my team-mates and win games."

Probably the greatest players to ever grace the world of football, Ronaldo and Messi have been going head to head for the last seven years not only for individual titles but also desperately trying to help their club and national teams to glory. 

The million dollar question continues to be whether Messi is better than Ronaldo but, honestly, the debate is becoming more and more one-sided by the minute: The merciless Messi has been so outstanding that surpassing records as become second nature for him:

- Most FIFA Ballon d’Or awards (five), four of which were won consecutively, and a more than likely 2016 Ballon d’Or already in the making.
- The only player in history to have won Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi trophy and Golden Boot in the same season.
- Scored in a record 21 consecutive league matches (33 goals) and the only player to have scored against all teams in the same league.
- Leading goal scorer in Spanish League history (308 goals).
- All-time leading Barcelona scorer (449).

The list goes on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea: Messi has achieved everything a footballer can dream of but, despite such success, he remains hungrier than ever: More Champions League and La Liga titles, more FIFA Player of the Year awards, more goals, more assists… The sky is the limit!

Messi is a better player than Ronaldo because he has a far bigger impact on the team he is playing in and his team is much more successful from a collective perspective. As simple as that. Real Madrid's No.7 is an incredible player who still has a couple of years left at the very peak of his career but, unfortunately for him, he just is not an inspirational leader who inspires those around him to become even better.

Messi should only be compared to all-time greats like Pele, Maradona, Di Stefano, Cruyff... Whether he is the best in history or not can be debated but, regardless, there is simply no doubt that he is the best player in the world right now.

As things stand today, Messi is miles ahead of any other player on the planet, including Ronaldo. In fact, his closest competitors for the ultimate crown in world football are in fact his Barca teammates Luis Suarez and Neymar -- A crystal-clear fact that everyone who truly loves football must acknowledge regardless of whether they support Real Madrid, Arsenal or Getafe. 

Please stop the pointless debate once and for all!

"I like Messi a lot, he’s a great player. Technically, we’re practically at the same level." -Pele

"I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius." - Diego Maradona

"For the world of football, Messi is a treasure because he is role model for children around the world. Messi will be the player to win the most Ballons d’Or in history. He will win five, six, seven. He is incomparable. He’s in a different league." - Johan Cruyff

"Messi is a genius. He has everything. When I watch him, I see a player who is very, very, skilful, very clever and his left foot is like Diego Maradona’s." - Franz Beckenbauer

"Once they said they can only stop me with a pistol. Today you need a machine gun to stop Messi." - Hristo Stoichkov

“I am also amazed with Messi, what he is doing is very good. He contributes alot of very good things for the team. He is an individualist, but he always plays for the team.He covers well at the back, is organized and finishes well with both feet. He is mischievous, and is a very intelligent player. He applies pressure just where the pressure is needed.” - Di Stéfano

“This award says I’m the best player in the world, but I’m not even the best player at Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo is a very complete player, but Messi is better because he has magic." - Ronaldinho [On receiving the Ballon d’Or in 2006]

“I wear the number 10 Jersey for the US National Team in honour of the Greatest athlete I have ever seen: Messi." - Kobe Bryant