Portuguese here. I always said Messi was the better one. But the majority of people tell me i am just envious of Ronaldo's fortune.
The way i really see it:
Messi is talent embodied.
Born with it. Barely any effort needed.
And Ronaldo is sheer willpower and determination to be what Messi is without the effort he has to put in it.
One is biological. The other a machine.
One loves to play. The other is just putting numbers in excel.
My favorite after all this said, is Ronaldinho.
"Joga Bonito".