The Messi vs. Ronaldo debate has been ongoing for over a decade now, with soccer fans arguing over which of these two superstars is better. However, another intriguing aspect to consider is their speed: Who is faster, Messi or Ronaldo?"

According to available data, Cristiano Ronaldo has been recorded with a top speed of 21.1 mph (34 km/h), whereas Lionel Messi's highest measured top speed is 20.1 mph (32.5 km/h). This indicates that Ronaldo is 0.9 mph (1.5 km/h) faster than Messi in terms of top speed.

While Cristiano Ronaldo may have a higher top speed than Lionel Messi, it is important to note that speed with the ball at their feet is a different aspect altogether. When it comes to dribbling speed and agility, Messi has consistently showcased exceptional ability. His close control and rapid changes of direction allow him to maneuver through tight spaces and leave defenders behind. While Ronaldo is known for his explosive acceleration in open spaces, Messi's quickness and agility make him a formidable force when it comes to dribbling with the ball. 

Who has the highest recorded top speed?

The easiest way to settle this debate is to look at the cold hard stats. When looking at the collected data over both players' careers, the record states that Ronaldo has recorded a higher top speed than Messi.

A year-long study in 2017 was conducted. They determine the top 10 fastest soccer players in the world. Although he did not finish top, Ronaldo ranked two places higher than Messi as the 7th fastest player in the world at that time.

During the 2018 World Cup, FIFA recorded the highest speeds of all the participating players. Ronaldo was the fastest player in that tournament, along with Croatia's Ante Rebic. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is not even in the top 10.

Below is the official FIFA World Cup list of the fastest players in 2018:

Who accelerates quicker?

Although it's been proven that Ronaldo has recorded a higher overall speed than Messi, does he accelerate quicker than the Argentinian?

The answer is probably no. We don't need numbers and stats for this one. We can say that Messi is the best player in the world when he acceleration past defenders.

Although there are no specific statistics to prove that just watching Messi play, he can see his speeding ability is better than Ronaldo's. Messi's low center of gravity means he can start faster than the taller Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo's longer stride means he surpasses Messi in overall speed.

Who is faster over long distances?

When watching Ronaldo sprint, it is clear that he accelerates faster when upshifting. Cristiano Ronaldo, in full stride, is truly a sight to behold.

The world's fastest runner 'concedes' to Ronaldo's speed

Messi, on the other hand, is fast in quick bursts. Messi is not known for his long sprinting strides across the field like Ronaldo is.

Therefore, it's safe to say that Ronaldo would likely beat Messi in a long-distance race.

What are their top speeds?

During the 2017 study mentioned earlier, Ronaldo was recorded as the 7th fastest player in the world at the time. His fastest speed then was 20.8 mph (33.6 km/h).

According to FIFA statistics at the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldo continues to create a new record. He comes out on top, with a recorded top speed of 21.1 mph (34 km/h).

In the same 2017 study, Messi's top speed was recorded as 20.1 mph (32.5 km/h). This is 0.9 mph (1.5 km/h) slower than Ronaldo's top speed.

So who runs faster, Messi or Ronaldo?

As you can see, Ronaldo is faster than Messi. He achieved a higher top speed in two separate events than his opponent. However, this is not an entirely one-way race. Messi is not far behind Ronaldo's overall speed and is still one of the faster players in football. Some statistics we have also show that Messi accelerates better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

Who is faster with the ball, Messi or Ronaldo?

So now we know Ronaldo would likely beat Messi in a straight-up race. But is he faster than Messi with the ball at his feet?

The answer is yes. Looking at the 2017 study once again, the group that collected those stats confirmed that the highest speeds recorded for both players were with the ball at their feet. This means that Ronaldo is 0.6 mph (1.1 km/h) faster than Messi when dribbling with the ball.

Below are the top 10 fastest players with the ball, taken from a 2017 study:

So Ronaldo is faster with and without the ball, but how much of an advantage does this give the Portuguese megastar when he's out on the pitch?

Looking back at Ronaldo's career, it's clear that his breakneck pace gives him an advantage over most other players. Many of his goals have been due to him sprinting the length of the pitch to get on the end of a cross, or using his speed to dribble past watching defenders.

What about Messi, though? It is worth noting that many pundits consider Messi to be the better dribbler in general. The reason is that Messi has better ball control and can easily pass defenders regardless of his speed.

Why is Ronaldo Faster Than Messi?

There's no doubt that Ronaldo is faster than Messi, but is there a particular reason why? There are a few reasons we can point to, and one is simply their body types.

Ronaldo is taller and slimmer than Messi. His body type somewhat resembles that of a professional runner. Messi, on the other hand, is shorter and stockier than Ronaldo. With a lower center of gravity, it's always going to be difficult for Messi to reach the speeds of a player like Ronaldo.

Another reason Ronaldo is so fast might be down to some of his training. In 2009, Manchester United brought Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt to their training ground. The record-breaking runner was said to have given Ronaldo some one-on-one lessons. Here's what Usain Bolt had to say about training with Ronaldo:

"I can give him a few tips to help him get the edge on a few of the guys, I can get him up to speed. I'll need to see how he runs first, and then I can show him a few pointers."

So with a natural runner's body and training from the fastest man on earth, it's no surprise that Ronaldo is faster. If anything, Messi should take pride in how close he is to Ronaldo's top speed.

All the evidence we have on hand is enough to prove that Cristiano Ronaldo is faster than Lionel Messi, both with and without the ball. However, the two aren't a million miles apart. This is partly down to Ronaldo's naturally athletic body type compared to Messi's stockier frame. The fact that he's also trained with Usain Bolt may also be a significant factor.

Many will argue that Messi is quicker on the turn and has faster acceleration than Ronaldo. The fact remains, though, that Ronaldo is the faster player overall.

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