Messi vs Ronaldo: Settling the football GOAT debate once and for all

Messi vs Ronaldo: Settling the football GOAT debate once and for all

Babu Tendu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:08 PM

The football industry has been able to host very talented stars over the years. However, in its history, two players have shown unreachable levels of quality and success. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are undoubtedly the greatest footballers in existence. It is always up for discussion to decide who is better in the never-ending Messi vs Ronaldo topic.

Messi vs Ronaldo stats
This post will look to compare the careers of Ronaldo and Messi to try to figure out who has had the better career. Photos by Aurelien Meunier and Zed Jameson. (Modified by author).
Source: Getty Images

The Argentine and Portuguese have achieved heights that few people have reached in their careers. From personal awards and achievements to their general contribution to the teams they have played for, they are a beauty to watch and a blessing to football fans over the past two decades.

Profile summary

The players have some remarkable names, but few know the tiny details about their lives. The following is a brief profile summary of the two GOATs:

Title

Messi

Ronaldo

Full Name:

Lionel Andres Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Nickname:

La Pulga

CR7

Age:

35 (as of August 2022)

37 (as of August 2022)

Mother:

Celia Maria Cuccittini

Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro

Father:

Jorge Messi

Jose Dinis Aveiro

Spouse:

Antonela Roccuzzo

Georgina Rodriguez

Birthdate:

June 24 1987

February 5 1985

Birthplace:

Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Zodiac sign:

Cancer

Aquarius

Nationality:

Argentine

Portuguese

Playing position:

Forward

Forward

Height:

170 cm

187 cm

Weight:

67 kg

85 kg

Preferred foot:

Left

Right

Previous team:

Barcelona

Juventus

Agent:

Relatives

Gestifute

Current team:

Paris Saint-Germain

Manchester United

Joined:

August 10 2021

August 31 2021

Jersey number:

30

7

Outfitter:

Adidas

Nike

Net worth:

$400 million

$500 million

Salary:

$41 million

$32.5 million

Social media:

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Messi vs Ronaldo stats

Cristiano Ronaldo has 804 goals in 1106 games in his career (0.72 goals per game). On the other hand, Lionel Messi has 759 goals in 957 games (0.79 goals per game). According to these statistics, Cristiano has scored more goals than Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, has played 149 more games than Lionel Messi.

Messi vs Ronaldo stats in 2022

In the 2021-22 season, Ronaldo comfortably outscored Messi. In all competitions, the Manchester United star scored 24 times, compared to Messi's 11 times.

Messi vs Ronaldo golden boots

The two ballers have scored many goals in their illustrious careers. However, the Argentine has one more golden boot award than the Portuguese. Leo has won five golden boot awards, while CR7 has won just four of those awards.

Messi vs Ronaldo Ballon d' Or

The Ballon d'Or award, originally granted in 1956, is given to the most prominent and successful football talent every year. Lionel Messi was the most recent winner in 2021. Messi has won the Ballon d'Or seven times, while Cristiano Ronaldo has won it five times.

Messi vs Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, formally of Juventus (centre) and Lionel Messi (left) react during the UEFA Champions League Draw on August 29th 2019, in Monaco, Monaco. Photo by Harold Cunningham.
Source: Getty Images

Messi vs Ronaldo individual awards

The two players have bagged remarkable awards for themselves during their dynamic careers. The following is the distribution of the awards that they have managed to bag in their professional years:

Messi’s accolades

The legend has 47 major accolades;

  • 7x Ballon d’Or
  • 1x FIFA World Player of the Year
  • 1x The Best FIFA Men’s Player
  • 6x European Golden Shoe
  • 1x FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
  • 2x FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball
  • 1x Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
  • 6x La Liga Best Player
  • 8x Pichichi Trophy
  • 14x Argentine Footballer of the Year

Ronaldo’s accolades

  • 5x Ballon d’Or
  • 1x FIFA World Player of the Year
  • 2x The Best FIFA Men’s Player
  • 1x The Best FIFA Special Award for Outstanding Career Achievement
  • 4x European Golden Shoe
  • 4x FPF Portuguese Player of the Year
  • 2x PFA Players’ Player of the Year
  • 2x Premier League Player of the Season
  • 1x Premier League Golden Boot
  • 1x La Liga Best Player
  • 3x Pichichi Trophy
  • 2x Serie A Footballer of the Year
  • 1x Capocannoniere

Messi vs Ronaldo achievements

The two GOATs have played for more than one team. Leo has only played for two clubs in his professional career (Barcelona and PSG). However, Ronaldo has played for several teams in his illustrious career, and so many argue that the Portuguese is the best of all time. The following are the trophies they won with their respective teams;

Cristiano’s trophies

  • 1x Supertaca Candido de Oliveira
  • 3x Premier League
  • 1x FA Cup
  • 2x Football League Cup
  • 1x FA Community Shield
  • 5x UEFA Champions League
  • 4x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 2x La Liga
  • 2x Copa del Rey
  • 2x Supercopa de Espana
  • 2x UEFA Super Cup
  • 2x Serie A
  • 1x Coppa Italia
  • 2x Supercoppa Italiana
  • 1x UEFA European Championship
  • 1x UEFA Nations League

Messi’s trophies

  • 10x La Liga
  • 7x Copa del Rey
  • 7x Supercopa de Espana
  • 4x UEFA Champions League
  • 3x UEFA Super Cup
  • 3x FIFA Club World Cup
  • 1x Ligue 1
  • 1x Trophee des Champions
  • 1x FIFA World Youth Championship
  • 1x Summer Olympics
  • 1x Copa America
  • 1x CONMEBOL- UEFA Cup of Champions

Messi vs Ronaldo photos

The following is an iconic picture of the two great football players doing what they do best while on the football ground.

Messi vs Ronaldo photos
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Juventus FC is challenged by Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Juventus on 8th December 2020. Photo by Nicolò Campo.
Source: Getty Images

Discussions about Messi vs Ronaldo are endless since there will never be a consensus on who is the greatest of all time. Messi's dribbling stats often seem very inhuman, and Ronaldo's ability to conquer different countries stuns many. Nevertheless, both the Argentine and the Portuguese are the greatest footballers ever. Whoever is better between them depends on who is doing the analysis.

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