I'm just copy-pasting some of my old post since I've debated on this topic countless times (ReLax can testify that fact for me)
Better Dribbling Skills -Messi
Well, Messi is better but I find Ronaldo's dribble to be very good. Both are very close on that point. Ronaldo's dribbles are more technique-based and more of eye candies while Messi's dribbles are much simpler but much more effective in one-on-one. Frankly, I like Ronaldo's dribbles more but in football, victory is what matter. And Messi's dribbles are more deadly.
Better Shot Power - Ronaldo
Ronaldo's shot power has been improved considerably ever since he came to United. Messi's shot have also improved in power and precision but Ronaldo's is much more raw in it.
Better Passing ability - Messi
It's far from a tie. Sure, Ronaldo's 1-2 with Ozil, Benzema or even Rooney are great but it isn't something he can repeat in every matches. Messi is in a formation where passing and possession is not a style but a culture. And his passing skills surpassed Ronaldo by far thanks to the constant tiki-taka at Barca. Moreover, his long passes and crosses also improved a lot.
Better Heading ability - Ronaldo
Messi is poor with his header due to his short height and Ronaldo became a key header player thanks to Alex Ferguson. It was the part he improved the most in 2008. He also doesn't suffer from lack of height. So, without a doubt, Ronaldo.
Better Efficiency in front of goal - Messi
This isn't really about goals tally or shot ratio. Messi is more calm-headed and precise in its finishing. See the first Liga Classico of this season, Ronaldo missed 2 clear chances; which if scored will have given Madrid the victory. Messi also got about the same number of chances but to be more efficient, he made the right passing/dribble so that those chances ended up as goals. There are many matches like that. Ronaldo gets too many chances that he doesn't convert into goals and this has been a constant issue whether in United or Madrid. Messi makes the better of his chances; even if they are at times, fewer.
Better Natural Speed - Ronaldo
Ronaldo's speed is exceptional. Even Bolt accepted it.
Better Field-Analysis - Messi
Field Analysis isn't only "Awereness" as you bracketed it grossly. Field Analysis and Mindset form an 'art' in football that we call teamplay. I did not add Mindset in my analysis becuase obviously, I can't know what's inside Messi/Ronaldo's head. Still, if we analyses both sense of teamplay, you clearly see Messi is better. Ronaldo makes great runs and effort to position himself. But not only Messi equals Ronaldo in that field, but Messi also knows when and where his teammates are situated than Ronaldo. Ronaldo has a little more individualistic approach. That's the reason, Messi surpasses him in this field. Videos can easily prove it.
Better Physical Prowess - Ronaldo
I think, this can easily be seen when you see both player's physical caliber itself.
Better Control Skills - Messi
Messi makes very small footsteps for ball control. Yes, this aid him considerably in his dribbling style. But even if I completely neglect the dribbling aspect in this field, that small footsteps of his helps him in control and enables him to quickly link up with passing, dribbling or shooting. Ronaldo's control style is very good but his long legs doesn't enables him to do the type of footsteps Messi does.
CR7's physique gives him the advantage of having better heading and endurance prowess while the physique of Messi helps him in his control skills.
Better PK/FK shooter - Ronaldo
Ronaldo. The guy was a normal PK shooter but little by little, he improve in matches and under the tutelage of Sir Alex. He developed his own PK style and own FK style. Now, he is perfecting it. Messi is good but not up to that level in this field.
Better 2-footed player - Messi
Messi uses his left foot more while Ronaldo uses his right foot. But Messi is much better with his right foot than Ronaldo is with his left foot; thus making him more of a 2-footed player. I've been a fan of Ronaldo and scrutinized all his advantages as well as disadvantages thus in his United days mostly and still now, with Madrid.
Better Defensive Skills - Ronaldo
He doesn't drop by to help Madrid's defense too much since Madrid is a very offensive team. United's defense was a key part of their game in 2007-2010. When Ronaldo was here, he used to drop into defense rarely but SAF forced him to improve on that path and in his last season, he was exceptional with his defensive. Messi does that very very few. One because his physique doesn't permit him these too much in a match and secondly, since Barca has ball possession too much. In fact, even in Argentina, he does that very few times even if Argentina isn't a team reputed for their possession ball style. Sure, Ronaldo can improve much more in that field but he's better than Messi in that field.
Otherwise, stats, praises and trophies tilt towards Messi's favor. Can't deny that. Besides, he dominated CR7 in 2009, 2010 & 2011. Even if I found CR7 to be better in 208 and 2012. Also, I find Ronaldo's performance better in National team.
I'm voting for a tie.
