It’s only after nearly two decades does that debate has settled, creating room for debates on fresh talent and for these youngsters to shine on the big stage.
Both players operating on the flanks, have certain similarities about them but also share a few differences, let’s dive head first into this debate and see the comparisons that can be drawn.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s starboy has established himself as a creative force on the right wing. A player with such quality that he threatens to create chances everytime the ball lands at his feet.
The Englishman enjoys dribbling breakthroughs in 1v1 situations by utilizing explosive speed and his quick feet. He enjoys cutting in from the right to create something with the gem of a left foot that he has.
The Brazilian on the other hand looks a more fluid player, who also brings the Brazilian flair. The winger has the natural ability to move into pockets of spaces and move around the opposing defence, making himself a menace to man mark.
Rodrygo’s Ballon’d’Or Snub v Saka’s inclusion
One of the main talking points fuelling this debate is Rodrygo’s absence from the Ballon’d’Or nominations, despite winning both the Champions League and the La Liga in the season gone by.
In contrast, Saka, playing for a trophyless Arsenal managed to make the prestigious list. This decision remains controversial as it seems to be that individual stats hold significant precedence over the team success and the players contribution to the success.
Saka with 34 goals and assists last season outshone Rodrygo’s total of 26, also managing to do so in lesser number of appearances.
While the statistics favour the Arsenal winger, it’s tought to overlook Rodrygo’s performances in key moments, especially in Europe.
The Team Game
The next question raised by fans in this hot debate was the success of their respective clubs.
Is Rodrygo’s success more of a result of Real Madrid’s overall strength rather than his individual brilliance? It’s a fair question to ask but a user on Twitter had an interesting comparison to answer it.
“Rodrygo is part of a team full of Lamborghini-like talents, and while Rodrygo may not be the flashiest or latest model, he’s undoubtedly one of the best. On the other hand, Saka is like a Mercedes amid a sea of Toyotas at Arsenal—easier to spot because of the relative lack of star power around him.”
While this comparison is harsh on the Arsenal squad, there is no doubt that the firepower Real Madrid possesses is significantly higher than Arsenal’s.
Bukayo Saka aged 23 is one of the stars alongside Odegaard and defensive beasts Saliba and Gabriel. But Rodrygo is surrounded by two of the greatest midfielders in Kroos and Modric, Vini on the left side and now add Mbappe and Bellingham to that list. It feels like a fever dream.
While Saka has been Arsenal’s standout performer, we’re yet to see him deliver a performance for the ages, those clutch moments that go down in history books, yet he’s already been tagged as one of Arsenal’s greats, which is questionable at best.
Maybe it's time to raise the standards at arsenal? No doubt Saka is talented but there's some serious problems at your club if Saka is your legend without winning any Major trophy.
His rival Rodrygo has shown his composure in the Champions League Quarter Final, bagging the all important equaliser and go-ahead goal against Man City. That’s a huge contribution that led to a trophy in the end but Saka’s fan dugout beg to differ.
While Saka does hold more individual accolades such as PFA Young Player of the Year, some question whether such accolades (apart from the Ballon’d’Or) is the appropriate yardstick to compare players.
Another tweet pointed out, “It’s like saying Kroos, Modric, and Bale weren’t great players because Ronaldo picked up all the individual accolades.”
This sentiment hints at Rodrygo’s unique situation: he’s playing in a Real Madrid squad packed with talent, which might overshadow his personal achievements.
The war of words over accolades continued as people brought up Eder, Euro winner and lone scorer in the final, who has disappeared since then.
Eder won Portugal the goal that won the Euro 2016. Is he even superior to any striker? Coman has more trophies than Vini, who’s the superior player? https://t.co/jZEKQvYxQG
Rodrygo’s adaptability is another point in his favor. This season, he’s been deployed as a right-winger, a position slightly out of his comfort zone, due to Madrid’s overload on the left flank. Yet he’s adjusted well and has slowly found rhythm in featuring on the right hand side for the Los Blancos.
Trophy Cabinet
When it comes to trophies, Rodrygo’s collection dwarfs Saka’s. The Brazilian has already won two Champions League titles and three La Liga trophies at just 23 years old.
Saka, in contrast, has a more modest collection, with an FA Cup and two League Cups to his name. The discrepancy in team achievements plays a significant role in how both players are perceived globally.
There are many ways to compare the two, goals, trophies, eye tests and more. But the truth is there’ll always be two sides to the argument and the debate will be never ending.
It’s evident that both players deserve recognition, and Rodrygo’s Ballon’d’Or exclusion feels like an oversight.
So who’s better? Only time will tell if the argument becomes crystal clear, as both players have a long way ahead in their respective careers.
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