Ronaldo vs. Messi: Comparing Their Best Ever Seasons

• Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time
• They have broken every record imaginable and won almost everything in their careers
• They were at their peak while playing in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid
• Sports Brief compares their best seasons in club football

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's era of dominance in football is over. The two icons dominated the sport for more than a decade, winning countless individual and team awards.

They took their performances to levels few will ever replicate. Messi was at his best at his childhood club Barcelona, while Ronaldo became almost a superhuman when he left Manchester United to join Real Madrid in 2009.

Some felt the GOAT debate was settled in December when Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022. Others feel Ronaldo still has a claim to the GOAT status due to his longevity and success in different leagues in Europe.

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The two broke almost every goalscoring record in Spain, giving fans some of the most memorable moments in football. It is fair to say that both are way past their prime.

Both have since left Barcelona and Real Madrid but are still grabbing headlines for man-of-the-match performances. The Argentine has made a terrific start with Inter Miami in the MLS, while Ronaldo has been tearing up the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.

Messi at Barcelona

The 36-year-old was sensational during his time at Barcelona. Some of the individual records he set in La Liga and Barcelona will not be replicated any time soon.

He played 775 games for the Blaugrana, scored 672 goals, and provided 303 assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt. He won La Liga 10 times and lifted the Champions League four times with the Spanish giants.

He won the league's Golden Boot eight times and was the Champions League top scorer six times. He left the club in the summer of 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

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He has also won seven Ballon d'Or awards.

Ronaldo at Madrid

Real Madrid paid a world record fee (£80 million) to Manchester United for Ronaldo in 2009. The Portuguese was coming off another great season in which he helped United win their third Premier League title in a row and reach their second straight Champions League final.

At Real Madrid, he scored a staggering 450 goals and provided 131 assists. He won four Champions League titles in Madrid and two La Liga crowns. He won the La Liga Golden Boot three times. Moreover, no player has scored more Champions League goals (140) than him.

He has also won five Ballon d'Or awards.

Ronaldo vs. Messi's best seasons

Messi was at the peak of his powers in the 2011/12 season, while Ronaldo was on top of his game in the 2014/15 season.

Messi had a historic campaign in 2011/12, but Barcelona failed to win any major trophies. They were beaten by Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final and lost to Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in the league. Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2015.

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Interestingly, Ronaldo was sensational in 2014/15, but Real Madrid, like Barcelona in 2012, failed to lift any major trophies. That season, Barcelona won the treble under Luis Enrique. Here's how the two compare.

We'll probably never see another rivalry like the Messi and Ronaldo one, at least in terms of production volume and longevity.

Ronaldo's powers Al-Nassr to final

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo powered his side to its first Arab Cup final since he moved to Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo led Al Nassr to a 1-0 win over Iraqi champions Al-Shorta SC in the semi-final of the Arab Club Champions Cup on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old successfully converted a 75th-minute penalty kick after a VAR review found that Faisal Jasim Nafil Al Manaa had fouled Sadio Mane.