Messi won 8 Ballon d'Or awards compared to Ronaldo's 5, while Ronaldo scored more international goals (128 vs 109) and played at higher altitude in Saudi Arabia. Both are among the greatest players ever, excelling in different ways: Messi through ball control and assists, Ronaldo through athleticism and header dominance.
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Argentine forward with 8 Ballon d'Or awards and legendary playmaking ability
Portuguese striker/winger with 890 career goals, 5 Ballon d'Or awards, and 32 major trophies
Ballon d'Or Awards. International Goals. Career Assists. Peak Physical Athleticism (Jump Height). Copa América / Euro Trophies Won. Career Club Trophies. Free-Kick Conversion Rate (Career)
Messi edges Ronaldo overall due to superior playmaking (350+ assists vs 140+), more Ballon d'Or awards (8 vs 5), and greater trophy accumulation, plus his 2024 Copa América victory. Choose Messi if you value technical excellence, creativity, and peak individual dominance. Choose Ronaldo if you prioritize international impact, physical dominance, athleticism, and consistent goal-scoring across different leagues and nations.
Lionel Messi: 807 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 890 goals
Lionel Messi: 192 assists | Cristiano Ronaldo: 273 assists
Lionel Messi: 170cm | Cristiano Ronaldo: 187cm
Lionel Messi: 106 | Cristiano Ronaldo: 128 goals (Portugal)
Lionel Messi: 1 (2022) | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0 titles
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: 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: 45 | Cristiano Ronaldo: N/A
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: 8 awards | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 awards
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 appearances | Cristiano Ronaldo: 196 appearances
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: ~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: 4 titles | Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 titles
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: 890+ goals
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 32 trophies
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: 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: 140 assists
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: 20+ years (2003-2026)
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: 120+ assists
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 selections (2007-2019)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 140 goals
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: 23 years (2003-2026)
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: 20+ years (since 2003)
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 215 caps
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
Lionel Messi: N/A | Cristiano Ronaldo: 0.72 per match
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 129 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.
Who is the all-time greatest player: Messi or Ronaldo?
This depends on criteria. Messi leads in individual awards (8 Ballon d'Or vs 5), playmaking (350+ assists vs 140+), and overall trophy count (45+ vs 34+). Ronaldo leads in international goals (128 vs 109), athleticism, and Champions League titles (5 vs 4). Most football analysts rank Messi slightly higher due to his peak dominance (2009-2015) and technical superiority, but Ronaldo's consistency across two decades is remarkable. The debate remains subjective.
Why does Messi have more Ballon d'Or awards than Ronaldo?
From 2009-2015, Messi won 7 Ballon d'Or awards, during which he averaged 55+ goals per season and provided 20+ assists annually. Voters weighted peak performance heavily during this period. Ronaldo won 5 times (2008, 2013-2014, 2016-2017) but faced stronger competition. Messi won an 8th in 2023 after winning the World Cup. The award increasingly favored Messi's playmaking creativity alongside goal-scoring.
Who scored more goals: Messi or Ronaldo?
Ronaldo scored more international goals (128 vs 109). However, Messi scored more goals in club competition. Messi's combined career total (club + international) is approximately 820+ goals vs Ronaldo's 890+ goals, making Ronaldo slightly ahead in total goals. Ronaldo played 3 more years internationally and benefited from consistent penalty-taking duties. The difference is marginal given their 20+ year careers.
Ronaldo has a slightly higher free-kick conversion rate (7-8% vs Messi's 6-7%), partly due to his more powerful shot. However, Messi scored memorable free-kicks from difficult angles using curve and placement. Ronaldo's technique emphasizes power and trajectory. Both are among the best free-kick takers ever, but Ronaldo's consistency from set pieces gives him a slight edge statistically.
Messi's peak (2009-2015) is considered higher by most analysts. During this period, he won 7 Ballon d'Or awards, averaged 55+ goals and 20+ assists per season, and won 4 Champions Leagues with Barcelona. Ronaldo's peak (2016-2017) saw him win back-to-back Ballon d'Ors after joining Real Madrid's historic run, but Messi's output was consistently higher. Both peaks rank among the greatest in football history.
How to Choose Between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Ballon d'Or Awards: Lionel Messi has 8 awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5 awards.
International Goals: Lionel Messi has 109 goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 128 goals.
Career Assists: Lionel Messi has ~350 assists, while Cristiano Ronaldo has ~140 assists.
Consider: Peak Physical Athleticism (Jump Height)
Peak Physical Athleticism (Jump Height): Lionel Messi has ~74cm, while Cristiano Ronaldo has ~82cm.
Consider: Copa América / Euro Trophies Won
Copa América / Euro Trophies Won: Lionel Messi has 2 Copa América (2021, 2024), while Cristiano Ronaldo has 1 Euro 2016.
Career Club Trophies: Lionel Messi has 45+ trophies, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 34+ trophies.
Consider: Free-Kick Conversion Rate (Career)
Free-Kick Conversion Rate (Career): Lionel Messi has ~6-7%, while Cristiano Ronaldo has ~7-8%.