Who's the king — Ronaldo or Fabregas? http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7410950Nick Webster
It is widely acknowledged that if you want to be 'the man' and take the belt off the champion, you've got to knock them out — grinding out a points victory just won't be enough to impress the judges and get you the decision.
Using that assumption, there can be no argument that Manchester United is still 'the man' after their epic clash with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday. The Gunners though showed that they are worthy challengers. They also demonstrated that they have a granite chin as they climbed off the canvas twice to bloody the nose of the current champions in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Staying with the boxing analogy, this match was dominated by the two current best European players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas. There is no doubt in my mind that this rivalry has all the potential to be one of the best English — or world for that matter — football has ever seen. It's Ali vs. Frazier, Tyson vs. Holyfield ... and with luck we'll witness their battles for many more seasons to come.
One doesn't like to reduce an epic match to two players because, as the L.A. Galaxy have found out, it's not about one player. However, it is hard to look beyond the match-up between the current 'Players & Writer's Player of the Year' and his apparent heir-in-waiting.
Looking back at the ninety minutes from North London, Fabregas was the guv'nor when it came to running the show. If United could have stopped him, perhaps they would have left with the three points. Ronaldo, on the other hand, was largely anonymous and yet still had a massive say in the result with a goal and assist.
So just who is the best player from the Iberian Peninsula? Let's look at the tale of the tape:
Cesc Fabregas Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 20 Age: 22
Fee: $0 Fee: $24 million
PL Appearances: 99 PL Appearance: 103
All Competitions: 141 All Competitions: 153
Goals: 13 Goals: 57
Goals this season: 10 Goals this season: 7
International Caps: 20 International Caps: 36
That's the raw data but what of more intangible qualities?
Flair & Skill
Unless you live on Mars, this category would have to go to the Portuguese flyer. Ronaldo has more tricks than David Copperfield and isn't shy about demonstrating them. (Ronaldo 1-0 Fabregas)
Consistency
The Spaniard brings it every single game. For sure he's more involved in the center of the park but you hardly ever see him having an off game. (Ronaldo 1-1 Fabregas)
Goal-scoring
Fabregas is in the richest scoring vein of his career but he doesn't hold a candle to Ronaldo, who has the full locker. (Ronaldo 2-1 Fabregas)
Toughness
Both players are incredibly durable, however I feel that Ronaldo takes more of a beating while Fabregas is in the habit of dealing out the pain. (Ronaldo 3-1 Fabregas)
Discipline
Over the course of their careers, Ronaldo has seen red three times, while Fabregas has only been sent off once. The Arsenal player definitely picks up more yellow cards but Ronaldo is more the 'hot-head' and has actually missed more games through suspension than his rival. (Ronaldo 3-2 Fabregas)
Versatility
Ronaldo can play anywhere across the front line, tuck in behind the strikers or create from midfield. Fabregas is more limited and specializes in his midfield role. (Ronaldo 4-2 Fabregas)
Determination
A very difficult category to judge as both players are warriors. However, the Gunner has demonstrated an unquenchable thirst over the last couple of campaigns. (Ronaldo 4-3 Fabregas)
Leadership
Fabregas will lead Arsenal for years to come and his teammates will run through a brick wall for him. Ronaldo tends to disappear at times. (Ronaldo 4-4 Fabregas)
International Appeal
You only had to be in Germany and see girls swooning everywhere to understand that the Red Devil heartthrob would have no trouble picking up a modeling career once he can't play football anymore. (Ronaldo 5-4 Fabregas)
Value
In 2001, Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid for a staggering $94 million. Is Ronaldo worth that much? Not yet but I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson would want in the $60-70 million range for his superstar. Arsene Wenger would probably want the same kind of fee for his protégé, however until Fabregas scores goals on a more consistent basis, Ronaldo will command the bigger money. (Ronaldo 6-4 Fabregas)
It's quite close then, isn't it? On current form — if I was going to build a team around either one — I would have to pick Fabregas. Just look at the supporting cast the Spaniard has at the Emirates compared to the riches that surround Ronaldo at Old Trafford. But if I had a must-win game to play then Ronaldo would get the nod. Either way, this is a rivalry that hasn't even matured yet and it's impossible to take your eyes from it.
Until then, get the beers in ...
