Messi has won more individual awards (8 Ballon d'Ors vs Ronaldo's 5) and a FIFA World Cup, while Ronaldo holds superior athleticism metrics and has scored more international goals (he is the all-time record international goalscorer). Their peak performances occurred in different eras, with Messi dominating the 2009-2015 period and Ronaldo excelling from 2013-2018.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Argentine playmaker-forward with 8 Ballon d'Or awards, 2 World Cups, and 35 major trophies including record-breaking individual seasons
Portuguese forward with 890+ career goals, 5 Champions League titles, and peak scoring consistency across 5 elite clubs
Ballon d'Or Awards. FIFA World Cup. International Goals. Career Club Goals. Vertical Jump. Muscle Mass/Body Fat. Peak Performance Window
Messi wins for overall career achievement, consistency, and peak dominance, evidenced by more Ballon d'Ors and the World Cup trophy that eluded Ronaldo. Ronaldo wins for athleticism, longevity across different leagues, and superior international goal-scoring output. Choose Messi if you value technical mastery, trophy accumulation, and peak-era dominance; choose Ronaldo if you prioritize athleticism, adaptability, and sustained goal-scoring across more decades.
Lionel Messi: 810 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890
Lionel Messi: 192+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 145+
Lionel Messi: 170cm | Cristiano Ronaldo: 187cm
Lionel Messi: 106 in 180 caps | Cristiano Ronaldo: 135 in 196 caps
Lionel Messi: 71 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 643 (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 34 (1992-2026) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 2 (2021, 2024) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 97 goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: 141 goals
Lionel Messi: 672 goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: 850+ goals
Lionel Messi: 67% | Cristiano Ronaldo: 51%
Lionel Messi: 4 leagues | Cristiano Ronaldo: 4 leagues
Lionel Messi: 19 years (2004-2023) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 22 years (2002-2024)
Lionel Messi: 0.73 per match | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.75 per match
Lionel Messi: 4 titles | Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 titles
Lionel Messi: Winner 2022 (7 goals) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 672 goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: $150 million (2018) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 88 million | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 192 assists | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 810+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 895+
Lionel Messi: 56 (2011-12) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 51 (2013-14)
Lionel Messi: 1 (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0
Lionel Messi: 1 (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 6 years (ages 24-30) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 19 years (2003-2022)
Lionel Messi: 6 goals + 1 assist in 2022 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 109 goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: 128 goals
Lionel Messi: 474+ goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: 450+ goals
Lionel Messi: 1 World Cup (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0 World Cups
Lionel Messi: 180 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 206
Lionel Messi: 4.2 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 2.1
Lionel Messi: 21 years (2004-2025) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 23 years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: 39 years | Cristiano Ronaldo: 39 years
Lionel Messi: 28.4 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 16 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 10 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 0.79 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 44 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 12% | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 68 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 29.1 km/h | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 10 goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 14 assists | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 87% | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 8.8/10 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 3 trophies | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 12 days | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
Lionel Messi: 8 awards | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 awards
Lionel Messi: ~350 assists | Cristiano Ronaldo: ~140 assists
Lionel Messi: ~74cm | Cristiano Ronaldo: ~82cm
Lionel Messi: 2 (2021, 2024) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 1 (2016)
Lionel Messi: 45+ trophies | Cristiano Ronaldo: 34+ trophies
Lionel Messi: 1,070+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 1,300+
Lionel Messi: 0.82 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.73
Lionel Messi: 43 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 35
Lionel Messi: 1 championship (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0 championships
Lionel Messi: 800+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890+
Lionel Messi: 822 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 894
Lionel Messi: 45 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32
Lionel Messi: 2 (La Liga, Ligue 1) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 4 (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Saudi Pro League)
Lionel Messi: Champion 2022, Finals MVP, 5 appearances | Cristiano Ronaldo: Finalist 2014, 4 appearances, semi-finals reached
Lionel Messi: 808+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890+
Lionel Messi: 1.00 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.78
Lionel Messi: 19+ years (2004-2023) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 20+ years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: 2 (2021 Copa America + Euro runner-up) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0
Lionel Messi: 17+ years (2004-2026) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 18+ years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: 10 (8 La Liga, 2 Ligue 1) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 (1 Premier League, 2 Serie A)
Lionel Messi: 1 title (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0 titles
Lionel Messi: 20 years (2004-2024) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 23 years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: 2 titles (2021, 2024) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 1 title (2016)
Lionel Messi: 46 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 35
Lionel Messi: 16 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 15
Lionel Messi: 3 (1 World Cup + 2 Copa América) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 Euro Championships
Lionel Messi: 180 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 215
Lionel Messi: 200+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 180+
Lionel Messi: 8 awards | Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 awards
Lionel Messi: 805+ goals | Cristiano Ronaldo: 850+ goals
Lionel Messi: 10 titles | Cristiano Ronaldo: 2 titles
Lionel Messi: 1 win (Copa América 2021) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0 wins
Lionel Messi: 23 years (2003-2026) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 22 years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: 129 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 140
Lionel Messi: 7 clubs | Cristiano Ronaldo: 9 clubs
Lionel Messi: 350+ | Cristiano Ronaldo: 220+
Lionel Messi: 73 (2011-12 season) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 69 (2011-12 season)
Lionel Messi: 10 (La Liga) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 3 (La Liga), 2 (Serie A)
Total Major Trophies (Club + International)
Lionel Messi: 35 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 34
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 616 games
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.67 goals/game
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.21 assists/game
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 187 cm
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 541 combined
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: ~90 assists
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: $50M
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 (targeting 6th in 2026)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 2008-2024 (16 years)
Champions League Different Opponents Scored Against
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 38
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 90
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 88
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 81
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 79
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: Not specified
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 85
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: €60M (estimated)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: Benchmark baseline (established standard)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32 goals/season
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 10.5% above xG
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890+ goals
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.73
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 140
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 34.9
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 8 seasons
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 awards
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890 goals
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 18 years (2007-2025 peak)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 2 titles
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 82.3%
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: ~50%
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 6 consecutive seasons (2011-2016)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 titles
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 73 goals (2011-12)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 2.1
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.71
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 1,258
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890+ goals in 1,101 matches
Major Trophy Count (Club & International)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32 trophies
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 120+ assists
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 selections (2007-2019)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 6 clubs
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.89 goals/game
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 appearances (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32% (2007-2015)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 85%
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 10 (2008-2018)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.68
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 8 goals (Al Nassr in Saudi league)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 61 goals (2011-12)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 19+ years (2003-2026)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 selections
How to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Compare Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo. Contains 154 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo.
How many Ballon d'Or awards has Messi won compared to Ronaldo?
Messi has won 8 Ballon d'Or awards (including 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), while Ronaldo has won 5. Messi's most recent win in 2023 extended his all-time record.
Who has scored more Champions League goals — Messi or Ronaldo?
Ronaldo holds the Champions League all-time scoring record with over 140 goals, compared to Messi's approximately 129. Ronaldo has also won the Champions League 5 times across 3 clubs.
Yes. Messi led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, scoring 7 goals and earning the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player. Ronaldo has never won the World Cup.
Which league records does each player hold?
Messi holds the La Liga all-time scoring record with 474 goals. Ronaldo set the record for most goals scored in a single Champions League season (17) in 2013-14, and holds the record for most hat-tricks in the Champions League.
How do Messi and Ronaldo compare as playmakers?
Messi is widely considered the superior playmaker — he has recorded 350+ career assists at club level and consistently led La Liga in assists. Ronaldo's assist numbers are lower as his game is more focused on finishing and positioning in the penalty area.
How to Choose Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Ballon d'Or Awards: Lionel Messi has 8 awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5 awards.
FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi has Won (2022), while Cristiano Ronaldo has Never won.
International Goals: Lionel Messi has 129 goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 130+ goals.
Career Club Goals: Lionel Messi has 810+ goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 895+ goals.
Vertical Jump: Lionel Messi has ~61 cm, while Cristiano Ronaldo has ~84 cm.
Muscle Mass/Body Fat: Lionel Messi has 67 kg lean, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 81 kg lean.
Peak Performance Window: Lionel Messi has 2009-2015 (7 years), while Cristiano Ronaldo has 2013-2018 (6 years).
Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo
Messi has won more individual awards (8 Ballon d'Ors vs Ronaldo's 5) and a FIFA World Cup, while Ronaldo holds superior athleticism metrics and has scored more international goals (he is the all-time record international goalscorer). Their peak performances occurred in different eras, with Messi dom