Will he?

@tiki "I feel Messi saved some energy to play World cup, Ronaldo went ''all in'' in all games but felt short in WC"

Spot on, Iniesta did the same before the 2010 world cup, I noticed how he was always avoiding to go through players that year like he usually used to, instead choosing to pass the ball.

"The fact it isnt Messi best year is a fact, the fact he had some out of form after injury is another fact, the fact he saved some energy for WC is debatable, but i cant believe some of you talking about bad season."

I truly believe that Messi had a good season, and to be fair, people always have high expectations for players with high caliber like Messi, and he did have a decent season scoring many goals and breaking Barca's hattrick record.

41 goals is an 'Off Touch' season for Messi. That just shows how incredible he is. Not starting an argument here or anything.

@Tiki

"im sorry to tell you that in the key games, most of them he disappears."

No he didn't. In La Liga, he scored twice against Valencia, once against Atletico, once against Barcelona (and assisted the goal for Jese), 3 against Sociedad, 4 against Sevilla, and scored in almost every game of the Champions League (except for Bayern 0-1 Madrid, where he played a crucial part in setting up Coentrao for the assist). Which big game did he disappear in? You talking about the CL final against Atletico? He was injured and strapped for that game. That's like blaming Barca's 7-0 against Bayern on Messi, who was injured the entire time. It's bullsh*t.

If you saw the Barcelona 4-3 Madrid game, Ronaldo was just as important as Benzema and di Maria for the two goals that Benzema scored. While di Maria blitzed past Alves, Ronaldo dragged away Pique to the far post, leaving Benzema up against Mascherano multiple times. A shame that Benzema only scored twice because he could have easily scored 4-5 goals like that. Ronaldo was just as important to those 3 goals as di Maria and Benzema.

People are just pulling sh*t out of their asses when they say that Ronaldo 'disappears in the big games'. Seriously, that's just looking for excuses to try and claim Messi is better than Ronaldo.

Guess what? Messi is better than Ronaldo, but who's been the better player for the last 18 months? CR7.

@Rama

You're right. An off-touch Messi is better than all the players in the world, but we're comparing him to Ronaldo here, so every little bit counts. An off-touch Messi has not been better than Ronaldo for many months now.

@Dynast Not in every big game, right. I have said it in the season, something really changed in Cr7 mind, he is getting better and better. Messi had better seasons right, but what can be called an average season for Messi is still unmatched for other human beings except Ronaldo.
We end up agreing in many points, Barça despite everything said about them, despite Martino being criticized rightfully has been there for the whole season except the last part, our season could looks like to the last season of Mourinho at Real, our dressing room was torn in pieces because of Neymar secret extra wages, at the end we were unable to beat Atletico and they were better than us in many parts of the game specially in defense.
Ronaldo was better lately i have to agree with you, but yes he cant be there in everygame, against Sevilla, against Barça...
As i told you, Ronaldo is a deserved winner if he wins BO, but i think the vote will be very close and will depend on the end of the season.

@Tiki

Then we are agreed. +1

For the debate invitation, i meant not arguing with Lilly, i have nothing against him/here but i just feel that it will go nowhere.

@Gaga Yeah Iniesta had a dificult year in 2010, lost his best friend, an Espagnol player who died few months before WC, and got injured severly that year.

He dedicated his WC final goal to the Espagnol player. Iniesta is the only Barça player loved by Espagnol fans, for the final goal but specially for the dedication.

No way he'll win it this time around. That would be ridiculous and a disgrace.

@Tiki

I noticed that everytime Barcelona play at the Cornella El Prat, Espanyol fans applaud Iniesta if he is substituted or scores a goal. He is heralded there as a national hero. And in many other places as well.

Hell, I think that the only two grounds in Spain where Iniesta won't receive a standing ovation are the Bernabeu and the Calderon. Those two are in hellfire when Barcelona visit.

If I got to choose, I know exactly who I would give it to

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, I've got huge respect towards him, great player with an equalled good personality, and he deserves it before he retires. He also hasn't won the Champions League in his career (I think), so a reunion with Mourinho at Chelsea would be AWESOME

^ Wtf, Zlatan has never once been the best player in the world.......

A legendary striker, but never the best in the world at any time. He absolutely doesn't deserve it. He's had his fair share of success stories and glamour.

I agree with TheGame even if Messi will have a great period now from august-january he shouldn't win because before august players like Ronaldo especially and Neuer has been way better.

imagine if Messi has 5 ballon d'ors in january and Ronaldo 2. it would be the most misleading trophy possession ever. IMO Ronaldo should have 3 now and Messi 3, instead of Messi 4 and Ronaldo 2 thats just my opinion.

@Dyn & @tiki put a great debate here. Nice job fellas.

@Eden: Zlatan is awesome to watch, incredible player, but not the best. Like some said, if Messi and Ronaldo play at top form... no one else came close...

I prefer Messi for his vision too. Sure Ronaldo gave lot of assist, but most are quite normal pass, cross (with high accuracy of course)... But what Messi does is beyond incredible, through balls, high lop through balls... that's not much can do.