When facing each other, who has more wins and better statistics?

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo may be world football’s biggest rivalry

The debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has raged for several years, characterized by contrasting achievements: Ronaldo has an impressive goalscoring record, while Messi has a claim to the Ballon d’Or leading position.

However, the discussion takes a deeper dive when considering Messi’s World Cup victory, a noteworthy personal achievement missing from Ronaldo’s list. This stark contrast in achievement often sparks discussion about their respective legacies and contributions to the sport.

While Messi has become one of football’s greatest players after winning the World Cup, there’s no denying that Ronaldo is considered the epitome of hard work and determination in the sport. Both players see this as a rivalry between them, having accepted the challenge of playing against each other at the top level for nearly two decades.

The beginning of the contest

At the end of their brilliant careers, Ronaldo and Messi bid farewell to European football and opened a new chapter in a distant league. Ronaldo left Manchester United for Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi found a new start at Inter Miami after a challenging spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

At their peak, Ronaldo and Messi often collided on the court. Their initial clashes took place in the Champions League, with Ronaldo’s Manchester United facing Messi’s Barcelona in the first three duels.

Barcelona’s rivalry with Real Madrid became the stage for both players to cement their status as global superstars. From 2009 to 2018, these matches between the two clubs showcased the constant showdown between Ronaldo and Messi, attracting fans around the world in every game.

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Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Head-to-Head Records

Messi and Ronaldo met for the 37th time in an exhibition match between Riyadh XI and Paris Saint-Germain. In the end, Paris Saint-Germain won 5-4, with Messi scoring one goal and Ronaldo scoring twice. However, given the match’s unofficial status, it exceeds their official athletic record.

Statistical data

In terms of their on-field contributions, both Messi and Ronaldo have put up impressive numbers throughout their careers. Messi scored 22 goals and 12 assists in the clash between the two, slightly ahead of Ronaldo’s 21 goals and 1 assist. Their goal-per-game averages are very close, with Messi averaging 0.61 goals per game and Ronaldo’s 0.58 goals-per-game.

When looking at their efficiency, Messi scores slightly higher, scoring approximately every 92.4 minutes, while Ronaldo scores approximately every 136.5 minutes.

In specific goal categories, Lionel Messi shows his versatility. He scored a hat-trick in these games, while Ronaldo did not. In addition, Messi scored two free kick goals and seven penalty kick goals, while Ronaldo scored two free kick goals and six penalty kick goals.

Elsewhere in goal scoring, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo also showed what they are capable of. Messi scored two headers compared to Ronaldo. Both players showed proficiency with their weaker foot, each scoring three goals with their weaker foot.

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