Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has better stats in 2022?

Lionel Messi hopes to cap off his World Cup career with a World Cup trophy as Argentina faces France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final.

Lionel Messi has completely dominated the 2022 season following his World Cup 2022 performance, and Argentina are now in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022, with Messi indicating that Sunday's final will be his final World Cup encounter, while Morocco eliminated Portugal from the World Cup, extinguishing their 37-year-old quest of winning the World Cup. But how does Messi rank to Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022?

Despite just scoring one goal in this World Cup, he remains without a club after a contentious departure from Manchester United. Ronaldo was linked to clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to rumours, but he disputed the claims.

How Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have fared in the overall 2022 season?

At the club level, Messi needed time to acclimate to his new squad and league after a slow beginning and poor performance in the bulk of matches. Meanwhile, Ronaldo joined Manchester United and immediately began scoring goals.

Furthermore, both duos reached the World Cup with their respective countries, albeit Portugal's quest was stymied by the fact that they were required to play in a playoff after failing to top their qualification group and being dropped into the play-off round. However, they progressed and finished first in group G of the World Cup. Portugal defeated Switzerland but was shocked by Morocco, effectively ending Ronaldo's World Cup prospects.

Messi had a polarising international experience for Argentina. It all started with a 3-0 victory over Euro 2020 winner Italy in Finalissima.

Then came World Cup, Argentina finished second behind in qualifying Brazil in Conmebol, but their World Cup opener ended in frustration as they were surprised by Saudi Arabia with a 2-1 capitulation, but it was a fortunate outcome as Argentina now finds itself in the final of FIFA World Cup 2022 for the second time under Lionel Messi's captaincy.

So, in 2022, Ronaldo and Messi had a contrasting run; the 35-year-old had to adjust to a new squad, but now he leads the stats versus Ronaldo.

Club and international goals across all competition: Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo stats

Lionel Messi

Matches: 50

Goals: 33

Assists: 30

Mins per goal: 132

Mins per goal contribution: 69

Trophies:  Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions and Finalissima

Cristiano Ronaldo

Matches: 46

Goals: 16

Assists: 4

Trophies: none

Mins per goal: 216

Mins per goal contribution: 173