Champions League: Ronaldo versus Messi showman against shy man

Entering a room packed with strangers, Cristiano Ronaldo would seek to dazzle the crowd with his athleticism and his aura. Lionel Messi would dip his head and hope not to be noticed. One unexplored aspect of tomorrow's clash in Rome between the world's two best footballers is that an extrovert is battling it out with an introvert to see which is the more powerful characteristic.

Ronaldo is Fifa's World Player of the Year. Messi was runner-up. Ronaldo has four Champions League goals this season. Messi has eight. "It has been my best year, without doubt," says Argentina's finest product since Diego Maradona. "For the football, for the play, for the goals. And I hope to finish it with the Champions League." Behind the scaffolding of statistics, though, you see a more interesting match-up of contrasting dispositions.

Man for man: This is how the teams shape up for Wednesday night's clash of the Champions in Rome.

MANCHESTER UNITED

GOALKEEPERS

1-EDWIN VAN DER SAR, 38: Former Ajax Amsterdam and Juventus keeper who is also the Netherlands' most-capped player. Joined United from Fulham in May 2005. Played in the 2008 final against Chelsea and set an English league record of games without conceding a goal in 2009.

29-TOMASZ KUSZCZAK, 27: Poland international and competent backup to Van der Sar who has made a handful of appearances this season. Unused substitute in the 2008 final.

DEFENDERS

5-RIO FERDINAND, 30: Outstanding at the heart of the defence all season, but troubled by injuries recently. After disciplinary problems early in his career, has matured into one of the world's best defenders. Captained United in 2008 final.

DisplayAds('SquarLAV',12,2832);15-NEMANJA VIDIC, 27: Another superb season at the heart of the defence alongside Ferdinand, despite three sendings-off in the campaign - twice against Liverpool and also in the World Club Cup final. Also played in the 2008 final.

2-GARY NEVILLE, 34: The club captain and a veteran of United's 1999 triumph, missed the 2008 final through injuries. No longer a first-choice player.

3-PATRICE EVRA, 27: The Senegal-born France international is among the finest left backs in the world after another excellent season. Won a winner's medal with United in 2008 and was in the Monaco team beaten by Porto in the 2004 final.

6-WES BROWN, 31: An unused substitute when United won the trophy in 1999, played in the 2008 final but has missed most of 2009 through injury. Could possibly make the bench again.

22-JOHN O'SHEA, 28: Reliable Ireland international defender who scored winner in the 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-final. On the bench for 2008 final but has been told by manager Alex Ferguson that he will play on Wednesday night.

21-RAFAEL DA SILVA, 18: Along with twin brother Fabio, the Brazilian defender is expected to play a major role in United's teams of the future. Was spotted playing for Fluminense's youth team in a tournament in Hong Kong in 2005.

MIDFIELDERS

16-MICHAEL CARRICK, 26: Scored in the penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in Moscow and has enjoyed a very good season in midfield. Scored the late winner at Wigan Athletic recently which effectively clinched the Premier League title.

18-PAUL SCHOLES, 34: Suspended for the 1999 final, played in 2008 but is likely to be on the bench on Wednesday night. Has played more than 600 matches for United and one of the best players "in the hole" that the English game has ever seen.

11-RYAN GIGGS, 35: The Wales winger has extended his all-time appearance record for the club to 805 matches and there is no sign that the end of his career is approaching. Is the most decorated player in the English game and seeking his third Champions League winners' medal. Scored the winning penalty in the 2008 shootout.

13-PARK JI-SUNG, 28: Missed out on 2008 final, but has had a very influential season and is likely to feature at some stage on Wednesday night. Would become the first Korean to gain a winner's medal if United triumph.

8-ANDERSON, 21: Replaced Brown in the last minute of extra time in 2008 final and scored in the shootout. Has never scored a goal for United but the Brazilian has great touch and works tirelessly when called upon.

FORWARDS

10-WAYNE ROONEY, 23: The most talented English striker of his generation and still young, with a winner's medal from 2008. Quick feet and brutish strength, has the ability to conjure goals out of nothing. Occasionally struggles to contain his temper but never shirks the spotlight on the big occasions.

17-NANI, 22: Scored a penalty in the shootout win over Chelsea in Moscow but has had his ups and downs in 2009 and has started only two of United's last 20 games.

7-CRISTIANO RONALDO, 24: The World and European Player of the Year has hit form at the right time after a slow start to the season. Still annoys with his theatrical reactions when he is fouled or falls over but delights with his skills. Scored United's goal in the 2008 final but missed in the shootout.

32-CARLOS TEVEZ, 25: The Argentinian's future is far from certain and Wednesday night's final could be his last match for the club - if he plays. His creative skills are a delight to watch and he would walk into most teams in the world, but is on the fringes at Old Trafford. Scored in 2008 shootout against Chelsea.

9-DIMITAR BERBATOV, 28: The Bulgaria striker joined United from Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of 2008's transfer window for £30 million but his languid style has not always impressed United fans. Has a sublime touch and an eye for goal. Played in losing Bayer Leverkusen team in 2002 final.

BARCELONA

GOALKEEPERS

1-VICTOR VALDES, Age 27: One of seven players in the probable starting lineup who came through the Barca youth system. Had some shaky moments earlier in the season but ended up conceding less than a goal a game in the Primera Liga.

13-JOSE MANUEL PINTO, 33: Did a fine job deputising for Valdes in the victorious Copa del Rey campaign. Started out at Real Betis, then spent most of his career at Celta Vigo before moving to the Catalan capital in January 2008.

DEFENDERS

5-CARLES PUYOL, 30: The shaggy-haired captain is loved by the fans for his passion and commitment. A versatile defender who can play centrally or on either flank, will likely take the place of the suspended Daniel Alves at right back.

24-YAYA TOURE, 26: After a superb season as a holding midfielder, the Ivory Coast international has impressed since being drafted into central defence following the injury to Rafael Marquez and will likely play there again in Wednesday night's final.

3-GERARD PIQUE, 22: Another youth system product. Spent three years at Manchester United and one at Real Zaragoza before returning to Barca this season. Assured performances in central defence led to his first call-up for Spain.

16-SILVINHO, 35: The dependable Brazilian left back made his debut for Arsenal in 1999 before moving to Celta Vigo two seasons later and then joining Barca in the summer of 2004. Could start the final due to Eric Abidal's suspension.

2-MARTIN CACERES, 22: Since signing from Recreativo Huelva in mid-2008 the Uruguay international has at times shown his inexperience and looked out of his depth. Another option for coach Pep Guardiola at full back.

MIDFIELDERS

6-XAVI, 29: Voted the best player at Euro 2008, Xavi has possibly even improved in 2009. Is the creative fulcrum of most of Barca's attacking play and United's ability to keep him quiet will be key to their success.

8-ANDRES INIESTA, 25: Barca are not quite such a fearsome attacking force when the diminutive Iniesta is missing and a thigh injury has raised doubts about his fitness. Scored the stunning goal against Chelsea that put his club in the final.

15-SEYDOU KEITA, 29: A solid performer in central midfield, the athletic Mali international also gets forward to score important goals. May be drafted in at left back as a possible counter to Cristiano Ronaldo.

28-SERGIO BUSQUETS, 20: Also won a first call-up to the Spain squad in 2009 after making his Primera Liga debut in September 2008. Likely to play as a defensive central midfielder on Wednesday night. Son of former Barca goalkeeper Carles Busquets.

21-ALEKSANDR HLEB, 28: The Belarus international has suffered from not being in Guardiola's regular starting lineup. Joined from Arsenal in the mid-2008 and was in the side that lost 2-1 to Barca in the 2006 Champions League final.

FORWARDS

10-LIONEL MESSI, 21: Blessed with a largely injury-free season, the Argentinian has been irresistible on the right flank. Besides being Barca's top scorer in Europe with eight goals, he uses his pace to open up spaces for his colleagues as well.

9-SAMUEL ETO'O, 28: The Cameroon striker, the Primera Liga's second-top scorer with 29 goals after Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan (31), stands out as much for his harrying of defenders and will to win as his electric pace.

14-THIERRY HENRY, 31: After a difficult first season, the France captain clicked with his team mates and has been outstanding on the left of Barca's attacking trident. Is likely to recover from a knee injury in time for the final.

11-BOJAN KRKIC, 18: Bojan has struggled to reach the standards he set for himself in 2008 when he scored 10 league goals. His pace and trickery are a useful asset when he comes off the bench late on.

7-EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN, 30: The Iceland international has found his chances severely limited this season with Guardiola using him mainly as a second-half substitute in midfield for his strength and experience. - Reuters