The Equalizer: Lionel Messi vs. Crisitano Ronaldo makes Manchester vs. Barcelona a must-see match

5/26/09
lionel messi
By Max J. Dickstein

The Equalizer: Lionel Messi vs. Crisitano Ronaldo makes Manchester vs. Barcelona a must-see match

Lionel Messi, the Argentine forward, leads Barcelona. (Getty Images)

By Andrew Keh

Special to amNewYork

If you’re on the subway, reading amNewYork on your way to work on Wednesday, get off at the next stop, make your way across the platform, and head back in the opposite direction. If you’re already at the office, begin planning your escape.

Because if you don’t, you risk missing one of the most alluring, potentially fantastic sporting events you will see this year.

At 2:45 Wednesday afternoon — an inconvenient time for many among New York’s white-collared masses — Manchester United and Barcelona will square off in Rome for the 2009 Champions League trophy. When the knockout round draw was revealed in December, this was its “dream final”: a battle between the world’s two best clubs, the matchup everyone wanted to see.

Today, it comes true.On one side will be the Red Devils from Manchester, who this season won their 18th league title using a trademarked blend of staunch defense and counterattacking élan. As defending champions, they are considered slight favorites to win.

On the other will be La Blaugrana of Catalonia, who topped La Liga for their 19th league title with a singular philosophy — attack, attack, and attack a bit more — in a perpetual quest to produce beautiful soccer.

On paper, it is brilliant game for the neutral fan, a confrontation made for TV. And of course, there is plenty subplot.

For the past couple of weeks, at water coolers around the city, sports fans have asked one another: LeBron or Kobe? Next week, new battle lines will be drawn: Federer or Nadal?

But today, there is only one question: Ronaldo or Messi?

Do you enjoy the gratuitous flash, punishing speed, knuckling shots, whirling step-overs and operatic gestures of United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, reigning World Player of the Year?

Or do you prefer the dizzying dribbling, fearless runs into traffic, subtle demeanor and even subtler touch of the diminutive Lionel Messi, the purveyor of the finest “one-two” pass in soccer and likely successor to Ronaldo for the sport’s most coveted individual award.

Whichever you prefer, the chance to see the world’s two best players on the same field — in club soccer’s biggest game no less — is a rare opportunity.

Call in sick, if you must. Take a two-hour lunch.

Watch this game.
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The Equalizer: Lionel Messi vs. Crisitano Ronaldo makes Manchester vs. Barcelona a must-see match

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