Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo stats: CR7 celebrates 39th birthday which GOAT has the all-time best career numbers? | Sporting News (2024)

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world football for the past two decades and enjoyed some historic battles over the years.

Messi has won everything available to him, after completing football with a World Cup triumph at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Ronaldo on the other hand has scored more career goals and has competed in multiple different European leagues.

An injury to Ronaldo has deprived us of a potential final showdown between the pair, with Al Nassr hosting Inter Miami on Thursday, February 1.

But, on the occasion of Ronaldo's 39th birthday, which player is on top statistically? The Sporting News has every career record you may wish to know.

MORE: Buy tickets for Inter Miami vs Al Nassr

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo all-time career stats

The following stats exclude club friendlies and were updated on January 23, 2024.

*not including shootouts

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Most trophies won

Messi and Ronaldo have collected an incredible number of trophies throughout their careers, rewarding their excellence while also benefitting from playing for successful teams. Their individual accomplishments are also astonishing, as they consistently battled one another for the coveted title of the best player in the world each season.

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The types of trophies won reflect the dominance of the teams they have been part of. Barcelona's stronghold domestically in Spain greatly contributed to Messi's accumulation of domestic honours, while Real Madrid's superiority in the Champions League during Cristiano's tenure with the club added to his impressive list of achievements.

Following the end of their European careers, both players have continued to add to their medal collections. Messi guided Inter Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title, meanwhile, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in helping Al Nassr secure the Arab Club Champions Cup.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo head-to-head record

After plenty of historic contests in El Clasico between the two superstars, Thursday's Riyadh Season Cup match will be the second consecutive exhibition game between the pair.

Messi and Ronaldo have squared off a combined 36 times in competitive matches for club and country. Throughout Ronaldo's career, the only player he has played against as much is Leo's long-time Barcelona ally Andres Iniesta. However, Messi has crossed paths with three other opponents more frequently: Sergio Ramos, Diego Godin, and Karim Benzema.

The beginning of their rivalry came in 2008 as Manchester United travelled to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals. That match ended in a 0-0 draw as Ronaldo skied a penalty but United went on to win the tie back at Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory thanks to a magnificent strike from Paul Scholes.

The pair have never met for their international sides in a competitive fixture, splitting a pair of friendly encounters between them.

Although Ronaldo won the individual battle with two goals for the Riyadh Season Team in an exhibition against Paris Saint-Germain, Messi prevailed overall and found the net himself in a 5-4 victory.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo head-to-head record every game