Ronaldo or Salah: Who will be Kiev’s King tonight?

Cristiano Ronaldo has been an extraordinary player for both Club and Country. And tonight, when the final whistle goes, he could go into the history books yet again. Having been the first team to win consecutive Champions League titles, Real Madrid will be looking to make it 3 in 3. Liverpool have won their 5 titles too but no team comes close to Real’s dominance in CL in the recent years. Ronaldo has been a very big reason for that.

Winning Penalty in 2016 and 2 goals in the final against Juventus in last year’s final, Ronaldo has proven to be the main man in all of Real Madrid’s triumph. Let’s not forget, he’s also the top scorer in this year’s Champions League having dismantled every team that has come his way. And, this is Cristiano Ronaldo’s competition. Top Scorer in Champions League history with no one close enough to surpass him except Messi but even he has to overcome a 20 goal deficit.

Now for the King of Egypt, Mo Salah. Anyone who thinks Mo Salah hasn’t been in the top 3 players in the world this season, probably hasn’t been following Liverpool closely. Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer in the Champions League and just like Ronaldo, Salah has completely destroyed every opponent that he has faced this season in the Champions League. England’s dominant force this season, Manchester City got brushed away by the brilliance of Mo Salah and Co.

Mo Salah has been a record breaker this season and has with his efficiency won plaudits from all over the world. He was Premier League’s best player, Record Breaking Golden Boot winner with 32 goals in 38 league game season, PFA player of the season and also the Football Writer’s Association Player of the season. Salah has been the main man for both Liverpool and Egypt. He helped Egypt qualify for the third time in their history and for the first time in 28 years.  The stage is set for the Egyptian Prince to write history in Kiev and win Liverpool their 6th.

Statistical Comparision

Goals: In the league, Cristiano has scored an impressive 24 goals but Mo Salah has scored an extraordinary 32 league goals, which like mentioned, is the highest ever tally in a 38 league game season.

In the Champions League Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in the top scorer but Salah is 2nd in the league and has scored 10 goals.

League and Champions League combined: Ronaldo: 39 goals and Salah 42 goals, So Salah beats him here.

Assists: Ronaldo has assisted his teammates 8 times in the league and Champions League combined while Salah assisted 13 times. Salah beats Ronaldo here as well.

Salah has statistically been better but note that there is no intention to Compare the two individuals ability wise.

Verdict

Even though Salah has been more emphatic this season but we just have to give it to Ronaldo to win Madrid their third title in three years just because of their experience and their ability to win games out of nowhere and Ronaldo is a huge, huge reason for that.