The enduring debate of Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo has captivated football enthusiasts, experts, and players for nearly two decades. Even as both icons enter the twilight of their illustrious careers, the discussion about who is superior continues unabated. Some are mesmerized by Messi’s “magical technical skills and artistry,” as noted by the Daily Express, while others are in awe of Ronaldo’s “goal-scoring machine” persona and athletic prowess. This polarizing discussion can even test the strongest bonds among fans.
While Messi now showcases his talent in the United States with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and Ronaldo stars for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, their era of dominating European club football might be winding down. However, both continue to achieve remarkable milestones and set new records. In fact, when considering the pantheon of goalscoring greats, questions arise about legends of the past. For instance, “How Many Career Goals Has R9 Scored?” often surfaces as fans reflect on the achievements of Ronaldo Nazário, another phenomenal striker.
In recent times, Messi further solidified his legendary status by securing his 45th career trophy, surpassing Brazilian legend Dani Alves’ record, after captaining Argentina to Copa America triumph. This victory marked his third consecutive major international tournament win, following the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America. Ronaldo, not to be outdone, achieved a historic feat in September, becoming the first player to reach 900 top-tier career goals when he extended Portugal’s lead against Croatia.
With an overwhelming collection of trophies and personal records, Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry is truly unique in sports history. Let’s examine their profiles and delve into their all-time career statistics, while also briefly touching upon the legacy of Ronaldo Nazário “R9” and his impressive goal tally.
Player Profile: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s career began and flourished at FC Barcelona for 21 remarkable years. During this period, he clinched ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies before his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. After two seasons in France, he embarked on a new chapter with Inter Miami in MLS.
According to Fox Sports, Messi has seamlessly adapted to life in Miami, contributing goals and leadership. He played a pivotal role in Inter Miami’s victory in the 2023 MLS Leagues Cup, where they triumphed over Nashville SC in a penalty shootout in the final.
Following his monumental achievement of leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar 2022, Messi was honored as the men’s player of the year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards. This marked his third FIFA award and extended his record as an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner after his 2023 victory. At Qatar 2022, Messi scored seven goals, including two in the final against France, and marked his 1,000th career match as Argentina defeated Australia in the round of 16.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa América victory also saw Messi as the competition’s top scorer. Prior to this, his first major international title was an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Adding to his international accolades, Argentina, as South American champions, won the 2022 “Finalissima” 3-0 against European champions Italy, with Messi earning the man-of-the-match award at Wembley Stadium. This summer, he lifted his third consecutive major international trophy by captaining Argentina to another Copa America title. Messi stands alone as the only player to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice (2014 and 2022).
- Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
- Nationality: Argentine
- Age: 37
- Born: 24 June 1987
- Clubs: Inter Miami (2023-present); Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023); Barcelona (2004-2021)
- Ballon d’Or wins: 8 (2023, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 3 (2023, 2022, 2019)
- Champions League winners’ medals – 4: 2014-15, 2010-11, 2008-09, 2005-06 (all with Barcelona)
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award: 2 (2023; 2019 joint winner with Lewis Hamilton)
- Captained Argentina in their 2021 and 2024 Copa America win
- Captained Argentina in their 2022 FIFA World Cup win
- 112 goals in 191 games (both national records)
Player Profile: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese icon, has showcased his talent across Europe’s top leagues, playing for Sporting Lisbon (2002-2003), Manchester United (2003-2009 and 2021-2022), Real Madrid (2009-2018), Juventus (2018-2021), and currently Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia (2023-present).
The 39-year-old’s trophy cabinet is filled with five Champions League titles and league titles in England, Spain, and Italy. At the Qatar 2022 World Cup, he made history as the first male player to score in five different FIFA World Cups. Ronaldo also holds the distinction of being the first player to score in five European Championships.
A five-time Ballon d’Or recipient, Ronaldo has surpassed 900 career goals for club and country and is the leading scorer in men’s international football with 135 goals for Portugal and holds the record for most international appearances (217). He captained Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and is Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer (451) and the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer (141). On August 12, 2023, Ronaldo secured his first trophy in Saudi Arabia, scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal in the Arab Club Champions Cup final.
- Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Age: 39
- Born: 5 February 1985
- Clubs: Al-Nassr (2023-present); Manchester United (2021-22 and 2003-09); Juventus (2018-21); Real Madrid (2009-18); Sporting Lisbon (2002-03)
- Ballon d’Or wins: 5 wins (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008)
- The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2 (2017 and 2016)
- Champions League winners’ medals – 5: 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14 with Real Madrid; 2007–08 with Man Utd
- Captained Portugal in their Euro 2016 win
- All-time top goalscorer in men’s international football (135 goals)
- All-time record men’s international appearances (217)
- Top goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League (141 goals)
- First male player to score in five different FIFA World Cups
All-Time Goals, Career Statistics, and Red Cards
All-time goals, career statistics and red cards
According to messivsronaldo.app
- Ronaldo: 915 goals and 256 assists in 1,254 appearances
- Messi: 850 goals and 379 assists in 1,083 appearances
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 66; Messi 59
- Career goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.73; Messi 0.78
- Penalties: Ronaldo 170; Messi 109
All-time club careers (excluding friendlies)
- Ronaldo: 780 goals and 219 assists in 1,037 appearances
- Messi: 738 goals and 321 assists in 892 appearances
- Hat tricks: Ronaldo 56; Messi 49
- Club goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.75; Messi 0.83
- Penalties: Ronaldo 149; Messi 85
International careers (friendly and competitive matches)
Argentina’s Messi has scored 112 goals in 191 international appearances – both national records. Ronaldo, with 135 goals in 217 games for Portugal, holds the all-time men’s records for international appearances and goals.
- Ronaldo for Portugal: 135 goals and 37 assists in 217 appearances
- Messi for Argentina: 112 goals and 58 assists in 191 appearances
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 10; Messi 10
- International goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.62; Messi 0.59
- Penalties: Ronaldo 21; Messi 24
Career red cards: Messi 3, Ronaldo 12
Messi has received three red cards in his career – twice for Argentina and once for Barcelona. His first came just 43 seconds into his Argentina debut in 2005. Ronaldo has been sent off 12 times, showcasing a tendency to lose his temper in high-pressure derby matches, according to Goal.com.
When considering prolific goalscorers, it’s impossible to ignore Ronaldo Nazário, often referred to as R9. While the focus here is on Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, many fans also wonder, “how many career goals has R9 scored?”. Ronaldo Nazário, a legend in his own right, scored approximately 414 career goals in official matches. While significantly fewer than Cristiano Ronaldo’s current tally, R9’s career was impacted by serious injuries, making his goalscoring record even more impressive in context. His explosive pace, dribbling skills, and clinical finishing cemented his place as one of the greatest strikers of all time. The question of “how many career goals has R9 scored” highlights the rich history of football and the different eras of goalscoring icons.
International Football
Messi has 112 goals in 191 international appearances for Argentina, while Ronaldo leads with 135 goals in 217 appearances for Portugal.
International careers (friendly and competitive matches)
- Ronaldo for Portugal: 135 goals and 37 assists in 217 appearances
- Messi for Argentina: 112 goals and 58 assists in 191 appearances
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 10; Messi 10
- International goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.62; Messi 0.59
- Penalties: Ronaldo 21; Messi 24
Ronaldo’s UEFA European Championship finals record
- Tournaments: 2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004
- All-time finals record: 14 goals in 30 matches
- Euro 2004: two goals
- Euro 2008: one goal
- Euro 2012: three goals
- Euro 2016: three goals (Portugal won the tournament)
- Euro 2020: five goals (top scorer)
- Euro 2024: none
Messi’s Copa América finals record
- Tournaments: 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2007
- All-time finals record: 14 goals in 39 matches
- 2007 Copa América: two goals
- 2011 Copa América: zero goals
- 2015 Copa América: one goal
- 2016 Copa América Centenario: five goals
- 2019 Copa América: one goal
- 2021 Copa América: four goals (Argentina won the tournament)
- 2024 Copa América: one goal
Trophies and Awards
Messi club honors
- Clubs: Inter Miami (2023-present); Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023); Barcelona (2004-2021)
- Spanish La Liga titles: 10
- Spanish Copa del Rey: 7
- Spanish Supercup: 8
- UEFA Champions League: 4
- UEFA Super Cup: 3
- FIFA Club World Cup: 3
- French Ligue 1 titles: 2
- MLS Leagues Cup: 1
Messi international honors with Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 1 (2022)
- Finalissima: 1 (2022)
- 2021 and 2024 Copa América winner and Golden Boot winner
- FIFA Under-20 World Cup: 1 (2005)
- Olympic Gold Medal: 1 (2008)
- Record number of appearances for Argentina: 191
- Argentina all-time top goalscorer: 112 goals
- Record number of World Cup appearances: 26
Ronaldo club honors
- Clubs: Al-Nassr (2023-present); Manchester United (2021-2022 and 2003-2009); Juventus (2018-2021); Real Madrid (2009-2018); Sporting Lisbon (2002-2003)
- English Premier League titles: 3
- English FA Cup: 1
- English Football League Cup: 2
- Spanish La Liga titles: 2
- Spanish Copa del Rey: 2
- Spanish Supercup: 2
- UEFA Champions League: 5 (four with Real Madrid, one with Man Utd)
- UEFA Super Cup: 3
- FIFA Club World Cup: 4 (three with Real Madrid, one with Man Utd)
- Portugal Super Cup: 1
- Italian Supercoppa: 2
- Italian Serie A titles: 2
- Arab Club Champions Cup: 1
Ronaldo international honors with Portugal
- UEFA European Championship titles: 1 (2016)
- UEFA Nations League titles: 1 (2019)
- All-time leading scorer in men’s international football (135 goals)
- All-time men’s international appearances (217)
- All-time leading scorer in European Championship history (14 goals in 27 tournament matches)
- Euro 2020 Golden Boot winner
- Record number of European Championship tournaments: 6
Ronaldo vs. Messi: Ballon d’Or wins
- Ronaldo – 5 wins: 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008
- Messi – 8 wins: 2023, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
Messi’s European Golden Shoe awards
- 2009-10: 34 goals
- 2011-12: 50 goals
- 2012-13: 46 goals
- 2016-17: 37 goals
- 2017-18: 34 goals
- 2018-19: 36 goals
Ronaldo’s European Golden Shoe awards
- 2007-08: 31 goals
- 2010-11: 40 goals
- 2013-14: 31 goals (shared with Luis Suarez)
- 2014-15: 48 goals
Hat-tricks
The frequency of hat-tricks for both Messi and Ronaldo is “scarcely believable”, according to MessivsRonaldo.app, with a combined total of 125. Ronaldo currently leads 66-59, but Messi has a slightly higher frequency. Ronaldo has scored 44 hat-tricks for Real Madrid, and his most recent was for Al-Nassr in September. Messi’s latest hat-trick was for Argentina against Bolivia in October, bringing his international hat-trick count to ten.
FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi’s World Cup journey culminated perfectly at Qatar 2022. In his fifth and final World Cup, he realized his lifelong ambition of lifting the trophy for Argentina. Scoring twice in the epic final against France and converting a penalty in the shootout, Messi led Argentina to a memorable victory. He was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists in Qatar, surpassing Pelé on the World Cup all-time goalscorer list.
Messi set numerous records at the tournament, becoming Argentina’s all-time top World Cup goalscorer with 13 goals and holding the record for most appearances in men’s World Cup history with 26. David Hytner in The Guardian noted that Messi “not only emulated the deity of Argentinian football”, Diego Maradona, but also secured “the one title that has eluded him”, strengthening his claim as the greatest player of all time.
Cristiano Ronaldo also made history at Qatar 2022, becoming the first men’s player to score in five separate World Cup tournaments. His World Cup record stands at eight goals in 22 appearances as Portugal reached the quarter-finals.
Here’s a look at their World Cup stats, according to MessivsRonaldo.app:
Messi’s World Cup stats
- Games: 26
- Goals: 13
- Assists: 8
- Minutes played: 2,314
Messi’s World Cup tournament goals: 13
- 2022: 7
- 2018: 1
- 2014: 4
- 2010: 0
- 2006: 1
Ronaldo’s World Cup stats
- Games: 22
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 2
- Minutes played: 1,762
- Hat-tricks: 1 – against Spain in 2018
Ronaldo’s World Cup tournament goals: 8
- 2022: 1
- 2018: 4
- 2014: 1
- 2010: 1
- 2006: 1
UEFA Champions League
Ronaldo vs. Messi in European football
Statistics according to UEFA.com:
- Champions League goals (group stage to final): Ronaldo 140 (21 for Man Utd; 105 for Real Madrid; 14 for Juventus); Messi 129 (120 for Barcelona; 9 for PSG)
- Total UEFA competition goals (Champions League and Europa League): Ronaldo 144; Messi 132
- Champions League hat-tricks: Ronaldo 8; Messi 8
- All-time Champions League group stage goals: Ronaldo 73; Messi 80
- Did you know? Ronaldo is the only player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals, and the first to score in 11 successive Champions League matches
Champions League head-to-head
- Ronaldo Champions League stats: 140 goals, 40 assists, 183 appearances
- Messi Champions League stats: 129 goals, 38 assists, 169 appearances
- Ronaldo Champions League winners’ medals – 5: 2007-08 (with Man Utd); 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 (with Real Madrid)
- Messi Champions League winners’ medals – 4: 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15 (all with Barcelona)
- Career hat-tricks in the Champions League: 8 each
Their Last Ever Meeting?
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may have played against each other for the final time in their careers during an exhibition game between a Riyadh All-Star XI and Paris Saint-Germain on January 19, 2023. Ronaldo scored twice in his debut in Saudi Arabia, while Messi scored once for PSG in a 5-4 victory.
Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport described it as a “thrilling” match between “two GOATs”. Riath Al-Samarrai in the Daily Mail reflected on the “sad” end of this “once-great rivalry” against the backdrop of Saudi sportswashing, noting Messi’s continued reign at the top and Ronaldo’s lucrative move.
What People Say About Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I really admire the career he has had so far, and, for his part, he has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry that he appreciates. It is a good rivalry that exists in football, but this is no exception. Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were great rivals in Formula One, the only common point between all the big rivalries in the sport is that they are healthy.”
Gigi Buffon: “When I met Messi I reached out and touched him. I needed to make sure he was human like the rest of us.”
Ronaldinho: “When I look back on my career, the most enjoyable thing was seeing the early years of Leo Messi. When he retires, football – not just Barcelona – should retire the No.10 shirt.”
Pep Guardiola: “He is the best player I have ever seen. The best thing about him is not what he does but how simple he makes everything look.He is not just the best player because he can dribble past three or four players, it is because he does it better than anyone in the world.”
Neymar: “I played with Messi, who is, for me, one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is my idol in football.”
Diego Maradona: “I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.”
David Beckham: “He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.”
What People Say About Ronaldo
Lionel Messi: “(Ronaldo) is always there scoring goals in all the games and taking part in his club and national side. He has been doing that for many years and whether he is at his peak or a bit below it makes no difference.”
Brazil legend Pele, after Ronaldo reached 770 official goals: “Life is a solo flight. Each makes his own journey. And what a beautiful journey you are having. I admire you a lot, I love watching you play and this is no secret to anyone. Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches. My only regret is not being able to give you a hug today.”
George Best: “There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”
Zinedine Zidane: “When you play with Ronaldo on your team, you are already 1-0 up.”
Gerard Pique: “The best player I have ever played against has to be Ronaldo. You cannot afford to take your eyes off him.”
Paolo Di Canio: “Messi left the pitch scratching his head, he has no emotions. I prefer Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘Do you want me to sit on the bench against Man City?’ I go back to Portugal, then I return and score a hat-trick. I prefer the human who has a soul to the alien without emotions.”
Explore More
