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No one is going to deny Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of the last 20 years — perhaps even all time. But what if they didn’t play for the best clubs in the world? What if they played in smaller leagues? What if Messi and Ronaldo played in Ligue 1 and Liga NOS?
Well, they’d be Hatem Ben Arfa and Bas Dost, respectively.
Lionel Messi = Hatem Ben Arfa
Ben Arfa is one of the most enigmatic talents of his generation. He’s played for some historic clubs such as Newcastle United, Lyon, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, burning bridges behind him wherever he goes.
The short French playmaker has astounding ability when he’s motivated and in form. He can rip bangers like few others, but it’s his dribbling ability that reminds us of Messi.
Now playing with Rennes in Ligue 1, Ben Arfa is having a bit of a renaissance with the club, scoring impressive goals along the way.
During a Coupe de la Ligue Round of 16 match with Nantes on Wednesday, Ben Arfa dominated the midfield in a style we’re used to seeing from a Messi or Zidane. With marauding runs and perfect passes, he helped inspire Rennes to a 2-1 victory.
Ben Arfa tout simplement pic.twitter.com/YCTJGUz9Rq
— koromini (@Abblm) December 20, 2018
Plus, he can do this.
His strike rate may not compare to Lionel Messi (nor does his off-field behavior), but when he’s on his game, few can terrify a defense quite like Hatem Ben Arfa.
Cristiano Ronaldo = Bas Dost
If there’s one thing Ronaldo is known for (besides those abs), it’s scoring goals. No matter where he plays, no matter who he plays with, Ronaldo is going to put the ball in the back of the net.
Similarly, there’s Bas Dost.
The disyllabic Dutch striker is perhaps Europe’s most prolific striker who never gets any credit for doing what a striker is supposed to do: score goals.
Dost had a good few years in the Bundesliga, scoring 48 goals in 117 matches with Wolfsburg. This followed a spell in which he scored 52 goals in 73 matches with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. But he’s really found his calling in Portugal.
At 6-5, Dost is unseemly tall on the pitch, but he has been an absolute menace in Liga NOS.
Dost joined Sporting, the club where Ronaldo got his start, in 2016 from Wolfsburg for a paltry $13.5 million. Since then he’s averaged better than a goal per game in league play.
He currently has 71 goals in 69 Liga NOS matches for Sporting (plus 10 assists to boot). More recently, since returning from a muscle injury, he’s bagged 12 goals in his last seven appearances.
While many of his goals come thanks to his size (he’s got excellent heading ability), Dost has a Harry Kane-esque ability to smash goals from all angles. And I'm sure the ladies would agree that bald head is just as sexy as Ronaldo's manicured looks.
Hatem Ben Arfa and Bas Dost will never be confused with Messi and Ronaldo. But it’s worth remembering there are some quality players outside of Europe’s top four leagues and top 20 clubs — players who can do many of the same things the world's best players can do.
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