Messi vs Ronaldo: Comparing the Incredible Trophy Cabinets of Argentine Genius and Portuguese Icon

• Lionel Messi was named the best player of 2022 by FIFA's The Best Award
• The Argentine beat Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe to win the award
• Sports Brief looks at how Messi's triumph compares to Cristiano Ronaldo's

The argument on who the greatest of all-time is, between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, has often left many football lovers divided.

The debate has lasted for more than a decade now, with the pair dominating the football space during that period.

The two superstars have notched over 1,500 goals between them and provided numerous moments of incredible skill or match-winning prowess.

But after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the debate about who is better between the Argentine and the Portuguese may finally be over.

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For those that still need convincing, Sports Brief takes a look at how the duo's ridiculously stacked trophy cabinets compare.

Messi vs Ronaldo: trophy haul

PSG star, Messi and Al-Nassr phenomenon, Ronaldo have clinched nine Champions Leagues combined since 2006. Messi won four with Barcelona while Ronaldo notched four with Real Madrid and one with Manchester United.

The pair have also claimed 17 domestic league titles, two senior international tournament crowns, and dozens of other collective and individual accolades.

Following his World Cup heroics, Messi was named FIFA The Best Men's Player for the second time since 2019, fending off competition from Real Madrid superstar, Karim Benzema and PSG sensation, Kylian Mbappe.

The 35-year-old received 52 points from votes by national team captains, coaches, the media, and fans. Mbappe came in second with 44 and Benzema got 34 points in third.

The question is - who between Ronaldo and Messi has the bigger collection of silverware?

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Lionel Messi's domestic trophy haul

La Liga: 10 titles (2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19)

Ligue 1: 1 title (2021-22)

Copa Del Rey: 7 titles (2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21)

Spanish Super Cup: 8 titles (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019)

Trophee des Champions: 1 title (2022)

Champions League: 4 titles (2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15)

UEFA Super Cup: 3 titles (2009, 2011, 2015)

FIFA Club World Cup: 3 titles (2009, 2011, 2015)

Lionel Messi's international trophy haul

World Cup: 1 title (2022)

Copa America: 1 title (2021)

Olympic Games: 1 title (2008)

• Total domestic and international titles: 40

Lionel Messi's individual accolades

Ballon d’Or: 7 awards (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021)

FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 3 (2009, 2019, 2022)

FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2 (2014, 2022)

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UEFA Best Player in Europe: 2 (2011, 2015)

• Total: 14

Cristiano Ronaldo's domestic trophy haul

Premier League: 3 (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09)

La Liga: 2 (2011-12, 2016-17)

Serie A: 2 (2018-19, 2019-20)

English League Cup: 2 (2005-06, 2008-09)

FA Cup: 1 (2003-04)

Copa Del Rey: 2 (2010-11, 2013-14)

Coppa Italia: 1 (2020-21)

Portuguese Super Cup: 1 (2002)

Community Shield: 1 (2007)

Spanish Super Cup: 2 (2013, 2018)

Italian Super Cup: 2 (2019, 2021)

Champions League: 5 (2007-08, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18)

UEFA Super Cup: 2 (2014, 2017)

FIFA Club World Cup: 4 (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Cristiano Ronaldo's international trophy haul

UEFA European Championship: 1 (2016)

UEFA Nations League: 1 (2019)

• Total domestic and international titles: 32

Cristiano Ronaldo's individual accolades

Ballon d’Or: 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

FIFA World Player of the Year/The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 3 (2008, 2016, 2017)

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UEFA Best Player in Europe: 3 (2014, 2016, 2017)

• Total: 11

Going by these numbers alone, Messi has the greater claim to being the football GOAT, claiming 54 titles, awards and accolades compared to Ronaldo's 43.

Ronaldo wins Saudi award

Al-Nassr forward, Ronaldo was crowned the top player in the Saudi Pro League following his impressives performance in February, Sports Brief also reported.

The ex-Real Madrid ace scooped the prize after notching eight goals, including a super hat-trick and providing two goal assists in the month under review.

Ronaldo endured a rough start to life in his opening two matches in the Saudi top flight but eventually flew out of the blocks in his first month with Al-Nassr.