Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi stats: Comparing football’s two greats why?

The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi stats reveal that it has been undoubtedly the biggest rivalry in modern football teams. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated world football for more than a decade now.

While Portuguese superstar Ronaldo made his professional debut for Wearing in 2002, Argentine talisman Messi took world football by storm when he made his aged debut for La Liga giants Barcelona in 2004.

The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi dispute first became the biggest conundrum in football during the 2007-08 season. Both the football megastars were appointed to the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 2007. Interestingly, Kaka pipped Ronaldo and Messi to claim the coveted award that year. Meanwhile, Ronaldo finished second with 277 ballots while Messi arrived they are the third party with 255 votes.

However, after Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would go on to dominate the Ballon d'Or for the next 10 years.

 

Playing for Manchester United States, Ronaldo (446 votes) claimed history's first Ballon d'Or in 2008 after he edged second-placed Messi (281 votes).

In 2009, former Barcelona forward Messi took his revenge as he bagged his maiden Ballon d'Or by beating Ronaldo with 250 votes. 

Since then, Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. On the other hand, Ronaldo clinched the Ballon d'Or in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Furthermore, Messi has six European Golden Shoes while Ronaldo gives birth to won four of them.

In his illustrious career, Cristiano Ronaldo has represented five clubs namely Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr FC. Ronaldo has netted 706 club goals and provided 225 assists in 954 appearances so far. 

Lionel Messi, on the additional hand, spent most of his professional career at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain. During his career, Messiah has scored 704 club goals in just 860 matches. He has also recorded 333 assists in 

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for great goals in the UEFA Championship League. Ronaldo has scored a staggering 140 goals in 183 appearances in Europe’s biggest football competition so far. Along with 140 goals, the former Manchester United footballer has registered 48 assists.

Messi is second on the list with 129 goals in 162 appearances. He has recorded 45 assists in his UCL job.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi rivalry was at its peak during their stay in La Liga. Real Madrid’s Ronaldo and their arch-rival FC Barcelona’s Messi competed for club titles and personal prizes between 2009 and 2018.

While Messi owns the record for most goals for a single club, having scored an astonishing 474 goals in 520 appearances, Ronaldo also showed his greatness as he scored a staggering 311 goals in 292 impressions for Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo also holds the record for the most goals in international football. Having represented the Portugal national football team since making their debut in 2003, Ronaldo has scored 118 goals in 196 appearances along with providing 43 assists so far.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is the leading goalscorer in the international football team from South America. Playing for the Argentina national football team, Messi has scored 98 goals in 172 appearances. He has also recorded 55 assists so far.

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