Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi edges Ronaldo in overall career achievements with 8 Ballon d'Or awards versus Ronaldo's 5, superior playmaking (192 career assists vs 140), and a FIFA World Cup victory in 2022. Ronaldo leads in international goals (140 vs 129) and maintained higher athleticism into his late 30s, though both are considered among football's greatest players.