Two legends are consistently being compared to one another for their record setting performances day in and day out. Lionel Messi fans and Cristiano Ronaldo fans debate on who the best player in the world is, but it is very difficult to come to a conclusion.

As of January 11, 2016, Messi has been deemed the best player in the world with his acceptance of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, a trophy presented to the best female and male footballer of the year by FIFA and France Football.

However, this award has been held in the hands of both Ronaldo and Messi in recent years. These two have created an era that has never happened before. The last time someone other than them won dates all the way back to 2007 when the brilliant, Brazilian Kaka won. Since then Cristiano has won three, and Messi has won a record-setting five times.

Goals are inevitable when these men step foot on the field.

Messi holds the Guinness World Records title for the most official goals in a calendar year with 91 goals in 2012.

Ronaldo is the only player in history to have scored 60 or more goals in a calendar year four times, all consecutively from 2011 to 2014.

Messi is the only player to score in six different club competitions twice, in 2011 and 2015.

Ronaldo is the first player to score in every minute of a game.

The lists go on and on and illustrate how prominent these two players are in the world of soccer. Their titles and records range from their club team to their international team.

When the stats are set aside, comparing the two physically is quite opposite. Ronaldo (31) is three years older than Messi (28), thus he has played in more games and allowed him to score more goals. Ronaldo is 6’1”, and Messi is an astonishing 5’7”. Ronaldo shines with his pace and brilliant footwork, whereas Messi glimmers with his amazing ball control at full speed.

Companies and organizations have grown to show their support.

The popular videogame FIFA has placed Messi on their cover of the latest FIFA 16. EA Sports, the company that makes this game, indirectly implies that Messi is the best.

On the contrary, Nike, one of the most powerful companies in the world of sports, has sided with Ronaldo. They made him the most marketable player in the world.

The controversy is set to continue until both players are retired with finished statistics that you can properly compare. Until that day comes, the world must enjoy the remarkable battle the sport of soccer has ever seen between these giants; Ronaldo and Messi.