Ronaldo and Rooney: Variance in the best

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are two of the most well-known football players in the world, at the two of the most well-known clubs. And when Real Madrid and Manchester United meet in their titanic Champions League encounter in February, these two footballing superstars may well be the decisive factors in determining its outcome.

Ronaldo and Rooney are not carbon-copies of each other. Both are imposing attacking players, both influence games where others struggle, but both have their own identities, their own playing styles. It was the combination of these attacking identities that propelled United to soar at dizzy heights during the late noughties.

Whilst both are capable of that game-changing moment (think Rooney vs. City, or any Ronaldo free-kick), the sudden exhibition of technical brilliance is certainly more frequently observed when watching the Portuguese. The 27 year old is insatiable in his desire for excellence, and from that comes his staggering, unstoppable goal return. Give Ronaldo the ball and he will run at you. He strikes fear in the opposition that he attacks. And stand off him at your peril, that 30 yard screamer is ready to be unleashed.

Rooney meanwhile has become a crucial clog in the Manchester United machine. He may be less impactful than his Portuguese counterpart, but he is no less resourceful. His work-rate embodies the team ethic of the club, and his technical attributes have improved vastly during his time there.

The Englishman has gone from raw talent to matured artist. His passing is reminiscent of his elder teammate, Paul Scholes. His goal return is ever-increasing, largely due to his improved timing and positional sense. Rooney’s importance to the Manchester United team is underrated and often unnoticed, yet essential.

What Ronaldo and Rooney share are their pivotal roles in their respective sides. They are chief tormenters; Ronaldo the impulsive game-changer and Rooney the instrumental aggressor. Both are distinct, both are integral.

Should Ronaldo be on top of his game when Madrid faces United, then the team in Red will come up against an unstoppable phenomenon. Should Rooney be at his best, then United’s potential will be unleashed.

Ronaldo is so good that his brilliance is almost independent of his team, an outside force that thrusts Madrid to triumph. Rooney is so good that his brilliance is an ingrained part of Manchester United. Without him, United miss their fulcrum.

It may be the variance in these two great players that defines the outcome of the upcoming Champions League tie. If Ronaldo is off his game, then Madrid may still be able to work a result. If Rooney is off his game, then United will face a near impossible task. If both players are at their best, this tie will live up to its huge billing: the world’s most colossal clubs, featuring the world’s best players.

What can be said with certainty is that these players will earn their place in football’s hall of fame. Ronaldo; technically supreme, a force of power and skill, and Rooney; a matured controller, a footballing genius: variance in two of the world’s best.