Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has more wins, better stats while facing one another?

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the biggest rivalry in world football

The ongoing debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi spans several years, characterized by contrasting achievements: Ronaldo boasts an impressive goal-scoring record, while Messi claims dominance in Ballon d’Or wins.

However, the discussion gains further depth when considering Messi’s triumph in securing a World Cup victory, a notable personal achievement absent from Ronaldo’s list. This stark contrast in accomplishments often fuels discussions about their respective legacies and contributions to the sport.

Even though Messi has established himself as one of the greatest to play football after winning the World Cup, there is no denying that Ronaldo is considered to be the epitome when it comes to hard work and determination towards this sport. Both these players have treated this as a rivalry amongst themselves, they have always embraced the challenge of playing against each other at the top for almost two decades now.

Start of the rivalry

As they near the end of their illustrious careers, Ronaldo and Messi have bid farewell to European football, embarking on new chapters in distant leagues. Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United led him to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi, after grappling with challenges at Paris Saint-Germain, found a new start at Inter Miami.

During their prime, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi frequently collided on the field. Their initial encounters occurred in the Champions League, pitting Ronaldo’s Manchester United against Messi’s Barcelona in their first three showdowns.

The Barcelona versus Real Madrid rivalry became the stage for both players to solidify their positions as global superstars. Spanning from 2009 to 2018, these matches between the two clubs showcased the constant duel between Ronaldo and Messi, engaging fans worldwide with each encounter.

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top four players with most goals in 2023
• Top six players with most assists in 2023
• Best goals scored in football in 2023: Ranked
• Top 10 best footballers of 2023: Ranked
• Best football matches of 2023: Ranked

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Head-to-head record

In their 37th encounter, Messi and Ronaldo crossed paths during an exhibition match between Riyadh XI and Paris Saint-Germain. The game concluded with PSG securing a 5-4 victory, during which Messi netted one goal and Ronaldo scored twice. However, given the non-official status of the match, it stands outside their official competitive records.

Stats

In terms of their contributions on the field, Messi and Ronaldo have displayed remarkable statistics throughout their careers. Messi has tallied 22 goals and 12 assists in their encounters, slightly edging Ronaldo’s 21 goals and one assist. Their goal-scoring rates per game are incredibly close, with Messi averaging 0.61 goals per game compared to Ronaldo’s 0.58.

When examining their efficiency, Messi has a slightly better rate in minutes per goal, scoring approximately every 92.4 minutes, while Ronaldo scores approximately every 136.5 minutes.

In specific goal-scoring categories, Lionel Messi has showcased his versatility. He boasts a hat-trick in these encounters, while Ronaldo has secured none. Additionally, Messi has found the net twice from free-kicks and seven times from penalties, while Ronaldo has netted two free-kick goals and six penalties.

In other facets of goal-scoring, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have demonstrated their abilities. Messi has scored two headed goals, compared to Ronaldo’s one. Both players have shown proficiency with their weaker foot, each notching three goals with their less dominant foot.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.