It’s one question football fans have debated million times over in pubs across the world: Messi or Ronaldo?

One is held up as the bright light of the sport, conducting himself with class and dignity against the increasing tide of cynicism in the sport — diving, haranguing referees and transfer demands if players don’t like their manager, their teammates, or their tealady. Leo Messi is, of course, above all that, plying his trade quietly and shunning controversy in the Camp Nou. And it’s not like there’s a need to be loud — his skills do all the talking he needs anyway. Slipping by defenders, picking passes, and calmly slotting balls into the corner of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo? Even if many don’t like his theatrics, the fact is that theatrics are indeed his domain; and while the bad stuff may make you pull your hair out, the good theatrics can leave you breathless. No, his Matrix-like flights into the air at the slightest of contacts won’t be missed if he cut them out, but his offensive, on-the-ball theatrics are what shuts even the most ardent of his detractors up. Whereas Messi, many times, has a knack for the sublime, Ronaldo dazzles with an in-your-face flair. A 30-yard dash past four defenders, culminating in his trademark dipping knuckler that cuts through the air like a machete through jelly.

So who is better? It’s hard to tell. And, like it is in real life, it’s the same situation in FIFA 12. The short answer — and perhaps the cop out to this question — is that it honestly depends on the team you’re fielding and how you want to play. Keep in mind that at this point, with both players rated 90-plus, we’re really just splitting hairs, so it’s not like you will ever regret having Messi or Ronaldo on your team.

If you’re looking for a skillful wizard to play at the center of the pitch, it’s Messi. Let’s look at what areas he is rated highest at: dribbling, vision, finishing, balance, acceleration, agility. Yes, he’s listed as a right winger in addition to a forward, but really, he serves the team best when you play him as a withdrawn center forward, deep enough to link up with Xavi and Iniesta, yet still high enough to make a run off the defenders. His attributes are tailor made for this role. In addition, he’s perfect for a congested area like the middle because of his combination of great close control and agility, skipping away from challenges with ease when the defenders crank up the pressure. The only places Messi falls short are in his physical attributes. He’s short, slender, and if he doesn’t evade the challenges coming his way, he’s likely to get nudged off the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, is more suited to play as a winger in a more direct team. Just like in real life, where Messi dismantles opponents with subtlety, Ronaldo kills with brute force. His pace and dribbling makes him ideal to run at defenders from wide, where there is more space, and ride challenges with his strength. After that, depending on how his defender plays him, he can cut inside and unleash a monster of a shot, or go wide and put in a cross, either of which he does with ease because of his two-footedness. Moreover, Ronaldo can also score with his head too, as his jumping and heading accuracy are both fantastic. As for weaknesses, Ronaldo’s in FIFA are, well, just like his weaknesses in real life. His defensive work rate is low, and (compared to Messi anyway) he lacks creativity.

All that means we’re no closer to a conclusive answer. Objective analysis aside, however, I must admit that I personally would prefer having Ronaldo on my team. It must be said that in real life, it’s definitely the other way around. I like Messi because he’s classy, sublime and it’s never about him. But I also like to win in FIFA, and not only does having Ronaldo suit my playing style better, but also that his flaws are easier to mitigate in the game than Messi's.

To start, there are no attributes in FIFA 12 for sulkiness and diving, and this makes Ronaldo a whole lot more likeable already. My preference for Ronaldo also have to do with my tactics: defensively sound, with moments of quick and hopefully lethal counter attacks. That’s not to say Messi wouldn’t excel in the role — again, we’re splitting hairs — but this sort of game in FIFA is just made for a player like Ronaldo. My style isn't tiki-taka, so his more varied scoring arsenal is preferred over Messi's intricate skills.

But most of all, Ronaldo’s biggest flaw both in real life and in FIFA — his lack of tracking back (he’s rated low in defensive work rate in the game) — is so easy to circumvent: just take control of him. This also applies to his lower creativity compared to Messi: If you’re controlling him and you see the pass is on, well, it doesn’t really matter what his creativity rating really is, does it? Now compare those to Messi’s weak spots: his lack of height and strength. Unless you go into the editor and dramatically bulk him up and give him a few inches, there’s nothing you can do to have him score ten or fifteen headers a season.

What about you, OSers, who do you prefer to use in FIFA, Messi or Ronaldo?