Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who has more red cards in their career?

The Portuguese superstar has never been sent off while on international duty

Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are legends of the game of football. No other duo has impacted the landscape of this sport so much. Even though both are over 35 years old, they continue to attract fans’ attention be it for their legendary past or their ongoing display of longevity.

From the start of their careers success has been a part and parcel of their game. The Argentinian winger did however win the most coveted international trophy that most people long in their career. After winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup title with the Argentina national football team, the former La Masia graduate won his eighth Ballon d’Or title. Surely no other player has done it on more occasions.

Well, there is a Portuguese sensation who isn’t far off on this list. Ronaldo has also celebrated winning the Ballon d’Or title on five different occasions. That’s two more than the following three players who are third in the all-time winners list – Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten.

Even the Brazilian phenom Ronaldo Nazario had won only two Ballon d’Ors in his highly acclaimed career. With the Portugal national football team, Cristiano Ronaldo has won the UEFA Euro 2016 title.

Apart from the accolades that both superstars have won, there is a side of their game that also needs to be looked at. We are talking about the disciplinary side of their game.

Cristiano Ronaldo has seen four times more red cards than Messi

Yes, the headline speaks volumes. Cristiano Ronaldo exactly has seen four times more red cards over the course of his successful career than Lionel Messi.

After a red card against Al Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final, Ronaldo’s tally of red cards has reached 12. This happened on 9 April while playing in the kits of Al Nassr. Before moving to the Knights of Najd, he had like 11 reds including 7 straight reds.

Cristiano Ronaldo angrily reacts after an Al Hilal player stops him from taking a quick throw-in 😡👊#football #CristianoRonaldo #Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/IgZujSX9b0

— Khel Now World Football (@KhelNowWF) April 9, 2024

Half of the total 12 red cards were achieved in the blissful tenure with Real Madrid. Adding one from his days with Juventus and more four had been shown in the red kit of Manchester United.

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Lionel Messi has seen a decent three red cards

Lionel Messi has received just three red cards so far in his very long career. And all three of those have been a straight red. Messi’s first red came in his international debut in a friendly match against Hungary back in 2005. Then his career’s second red came after a period of 14 years.

This was also on international duty against Chile. Messi’s only ever club career red was handed in the Supercopa final against Athletic Club. It was in a FC Barcelona shirt. In contrast, Ronaldo has never ever received red while in the kits of his international side Portugal.

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