“It should be prohibited to say who the best player in theworld is. They are both from another planet.” So said Jose Mourinho last week afterEl Clasico, arguably the greatest game on this planet, ended Barcelona 2, RealMadrid 2. To give it another perspective: It was Lionel Messi 2, CristianoRonaldo 2. What is so extraordinary about these two individuals is that theytranscend the team sport and do so time and time again. It isn’t simply a caseof counting their goals. Nobody won at the Camp Nou. Messi’s team and Ronaldo’steam showed the contrasting styles that can still make this the “BeautifulGame.” Real Madrid was marginally the better team.
Imagine the self-esteem required to step into this soccercitadel, listening to all but the 660 travelling Madrid fans, singing theiranthem and roaring pro-Catalan slogans all night long. But silencing theopposition with talent is a skill built into the ego that is Ronaldo. Heyearns, whatever Mourinho says, to be the winner of the Ballon d’Or, to berecognized as the No.1 soccer player on earth. Maybe this will be his year,because, with Messi and Ronaldo scoring virtually every game, what Ronaldo didduring Euro 2012 was at times sensational. He outshone even Andrea Pirlo, themarvel of Italy, and Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, who stroked Spain tothe European title. Xavi and Iniesta were again in fine form for Barca. So toowere Mesut Ozil and Xabi Alonso for Madrid. They would enhance any team. Butwhen it came to the decisive actions, only two men scored on this field.
First was Ronaldo. The speed that which Ronaldo’s brain can assess the situation isexceptional, as is his ability to take just a few strides and then shoot low,left-footed inside the near post. Where, and when, would Messi retaliate? Thevery question reduces the team game to individuality, but the answer camewithin seven minutes. Like Ronaldo, Messi preyed on a defensive lapse. TheArgentine was alert, waiting almost, when Real’s big defender, Pepe, misjudgedan attempted header to clear. The ball fell, as so often it seems to do, toMessi, who flicked it beyond goalkeeper Iker Casillas faster than anyone couldshout.
Then, on the hour, Messi again conjured the ball into thenet. He was felled by Alonso to the right of the penalty box. He struck thefree kick so that it spun over the defensive wall, dipped down and swervedgracefully beyond the reach of Casillas. Ronaldo, though, had to respond. Heattempted an audacious overhead volley, injured a shoulder when he landed,winced, and within minutes ran through the pain when Ozil split the defensewith a low pass that Ronaldo finished in cool style.
All four goals were from the left foot. The two outstandingplayers in the Clasico truly are from a field “from another planet.”
