Lucarelli: Inter Milan's Ibrahimovic better than Van Basten..

Originally Posted by drucurl

Ronaldo defied the doctors who said that he wouldn't walk again to win the WC while Van Basten played it safe and retired.

I do not agree on the second half of this sentence. That's an insult to MVB's professionalism, as if he still had a second option. As much as you admire Ronaldo, you should not say that about MVB.

Originally Posted by Xudong

I do not agree on the second half of this sentence. That's an insult to MVB's professionalism, as if he still had a second option. As much as you admire Ronaldo, you should not say that about MVB.

Please don't take it that way. The last thing I'd ever want to do is insult a legend and a Milan Legend at that but the thing is if you ever saw MVB of the charity/ exhibition matches you wonder what was the problem that's all. He played as well as Rijkaard and the others and even scored in some of them. I know without a working ankle you aren't much use but then again the same could be said for a knee. I hoped that MVB would have changed his game...so even if he wasn't as brilliant at least we could see him. Ronaldo did this and that is why he has my undying respect

MVB's injury occurred in a time when sports medicine didn't have some of the new findings and technologies that allow better solutions... even if there were only 7 years between each injury...

MVB's injury did prevent him to come back and play at top level... he was only 28 when that horrible injury against Ancona...

ronaldo is better ...just live it like dat

Originally Posted by drucurl

Please don't take it that way. The last thing I'd ever want to do is insult a legend and a Milan Legend at that but the thing is if you ever saw MVB of the charity/ exhibition matches you wonder what was the problem that's all. He played as well as Rijkaard and the others and even scored in some of them. I know without a working ankle you aren't much use but then again the same could be said for a knee. I hoped that MVB would have changed his game...so even if he wasn't as brilliant at least we could see him. Ronaldo did this and that is why he has my undying respect

MVB's last game for Milan was May 26, 1993, and his announcement of retirement came at August 17, 1995 (if I remember it correctly). That was two full years in between. Basten had tried everything and Milan had offered whatever help that they could be of. Nothing worked out obviously, why would you think that he would retire if he could stay?

Just because he showed us a healthy self in a recent charity game should not become an argument against him. It is not like he lost a whole leg and got crippled permanently. It was more than 10 years in between!! He was/is not a coward. As a matter of fact, I admire him for his great bravery fighting the injury and wanting to come back to play for us. He did fight until the diminishing of last hope. I truly believe that.

Another factor that we need to take into our consideration is that: back in Basten's time, the rules weren't in favor of protecting forwards. The tragedy on him actually triggered some revolutionary changes in that. maybe "revolutionary" is too strong a word, but still.

like making a tackle from behind a red card

Right, a brief comparison of Ronaldo and Marco Van Basten. Though both are goalscorers, they don't play in a similar way, as Ronaldo's game has been based on greater movement and attacking through different channels, while MVB was more of a pure target man up front (not to say his movement was poor in any way).

Ronaldo has probably got greater skill on the ball, which is what he uses to take on defenders and greater pace. Van Basten's talents did not lie in beating defenders, but his movement and ability to create space to get that critical opportunity to hurt opponents. Ronaldo's movement has also always been superb, which often throws defenders off.

MVB had greater vision and intelligence (tactically) in his play, as his ability to read the game and find openings in an opponent was outstanding. In this regard, Ronaldo can't compare, but his drive and ability is what makes up for this as he literally punctures holes into opponents defences, while MVB would be more opportunistic.

Technically, both are outstanding, but for different reasons, as Ronaldo's technical skill on the ball are his strengths, whilst MVB's technical ability was spread out more across a wider spectrum (in his intelligence, tactical ability and reading games, as mentioned above). However, that is not to underestimate either, as MVB was brilliant on the ball, while Ronaldo is brilliant still with his intelligence, tactical knowledge and so on.

Finally, both are simply outstanding finishers, but again often for different reasons. Both have superb shots, focusing on precision rather than power, and can shoot with both feet. Ronaldo has this incredible ability to beat or get behind defenders to be one on one with keepers on a regular basis, in which situation I can't say I've ever seen anyone better. However MVB is a lot stronger in the air and more reliable in that respect.

Injury wise, both suffered a lot in their careers. Ronaldo has been a little fortunate that he's had a lot of help from technological advances to recover, while MVB simply couldn't, not due to his own fault. drucurl, in the non-competitive matches you refer to, MVB usually isn't playing anywhere near to his capacity, which reduces risk, nor will he be put under the physical pressures he would be competitively.

Conclusion, both may be forwards, but both play very differently. Each has his own unique ability and without question both are the best forwards of their generation. Both have reached a plateau in football where comparing them is pointless, as having either would improve any team.

Originally Posted by ACMILAN1983

Right, a brief comparison of Ronaldo and Marco Van Basten. Though both are goalscorers, they don't play in a similar way, as Ronaldo's game has been based on greater movement and attacking through different channels, while MVB was more of a pure target man up front (not to say his movement was poor in any way).

Ronaldo has probably got greater skill on the ball, which is what he uses to take on defenders and greater pace. Van Basten's talents did not lie in beating defenders, but his movement and ability to create space to get that critical opportunity to hurt opponents. Ronaldo's movement has also always been superb, which often throws defenders off.

MVB had greater vision and intelligence (tactically) in his play, as his ability to read the game and find openings in an opponent was outstanding. In this regard, Ronaldo can't compare, but his drive and ability is what makes up for this as he literally punctures holes into opponents defences, while MVB would be more opportunistic.

Technically, both are outstanding, but for different reasons, as Ronaldo's technical skill on the ball are his strengths, whilst MVB's technical ability was spread out more across a wider spectrum (in his intelligence, tactical ability and reading games, as mentioned above). However, that is not to underestimate either, as MVB was brilliant on the ball, while Ronaldo is brilliant still with his intelligence, tactical knowledge and so on.

Finally, both are simply outstanding finishers, but again often for different reasons. Both have superb shots, focusing on precision rather than power, and can shoot with both feet. Ronaldo has this incredible ability to beat or get behind defenders to be one on one with keepers on a regular basis, in which situation I can't say I've ever seen anyone better. However MVB is a lot stronger in the air and more reliable in that respect.

Injury wise, both suffered a lot in their careers. Ronaldo has been a little fortunate that he's had a lot of help from technological advances to recover, while MVB simply couldn't, not due to his own fault. drucurl, in the non-competitive matches you refer to, MVB usually isn't playing anywhere near to his capacity, which reduces risk, nor will he be put under the physical pressures he would be competitively.

Conclusion, both may be forwards, but both play very differently. Each has his own unique ability and without question both are the best forwards of their generation. Both have reached a plateau in football where comparing them is pointless, as having either would improve any team.

I can live with that Who in your opinion took better free-kicks?

Originally Posted by drucurl

I can live with that Who in your opinion took better free-kicks?

Difficult to say, neither are too famed for set-pieces, but both have done well when taking them in the past.

I asked that because Ronaldo would hardly try a high shot in the top corner. He would usually direct a low drive, which would usually score but it looked lame. Can't remember Van Basten's free kicks, but I'm sure they'd look prettier.

well, whatever looks prettier (though MVB's ones would look like standard over the top freekicks) is insignificant, how effective they are is much more important.

To say Van Basten is only a Milan legend and not a football legend is a mistake that beggars belief.

I'm also glad that other people have taken up the points about MVB's age when he retired, the amount/type of medical treatments available at that time and the notority of Serie A defenders in the late 80's early 90's coupled with less protection from referees. Wether you're a fan of one player or the other, i find it a bit narrow minded to dismiss these facts or to gloss over them as if they were unimportant.

Originally Posted by R9naldo

ronaldo is better ...just live it like dat

Except Ronaldo isn't better, an equal maybe, but not greater than that's for sure.

Also try writing in english, we might understand you better.

I never said that MBV was just a Milan legend....after all MVB was exceptional in the Euro that the netherlands won. He is probably second only to Cryuff. What I meant was that Ronaldo was more of a football legend....generically because his mass accomplishments were not confined to any one club, whereas MVB can be easily identified as a Milan legend. Also I didn't gloss over or minimize MVB's injury. I merely stated that I respected Ronaldo for playing inspite of the delicate situation with his knee. He has has awful problems with it since his PSV days.

If you say so, but the impression you gave with your posts was that you felt Van Basten should have tried harder to come back given that he played well in a couple of testimonials.

Anyway, it's a shame they couldn't have played together in their peak. Would have been a lethal combination.