One method is objectively better than the other when it is more efficient in almost every way.
Ronaldo in La Liga: 194 matches, 16645 minutes played
Messi in La Liga: 200 matches, 16968 minutes played
Ronaldo goals-per-match: 1.11
Ronaldo minutes-per-goal: 77.06
Messi goals-per-match: 1.12
Messi minutes-per-goal: 75.75
Ronaldo shots inside the box: 705
Ronaldo goals inside the box: 184
Ronaldo conversion rate inside the box: 26.09%
Messi shots inside the box: 660
Messi goals inside the box: 192
Messi conversion rate inside the box: 29.09%
Ronaldo shots outside the box: 657
Ronaldo goals outside the box: 33
Ronaldo conversion rate outside the box: 5.02%
Messi shots outside the box: 332
Messi goals outside the box: 32
Messi conversion rate outside the box: 9.63%
Ronaldo shots in open play: 807
Ronaldo goals in open play: 103
Ronaldo conversion rate in open play: 12.76%
Messi shots in open play: 706
Messi goals in open play: 159
Messi conversion rate in open play: 22.52%
nb: Whoscored separate with open play/counter/set piece/penalties/own goal, there might be some overlapping. I am not sure.
Like you say...
End product is end product, the process matters but there are different equally legitimate approaches to take. People hate the Messi crowd's insistence that his/their way is superior.
End product is end product. More efficient end product is more efficient end product, and thus, objectively better. As you say in this post.