Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: all-time number of goals, career stats and awards

 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: all-time number of goals, career stats and awards

The debate over Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo has divided football fans, pundits and players for nearly two decades – and shows no sign of abating even as the pair enter the .

There are those who "admire the magical technical skills and artistry of Messi," said the, and "others who are in of the goal-scoring machine and athletic force that is Ronaldo".

"This polarising discussion has been known to strain even the strongest of bonds among fans."With Messi now plying his trade in the US at Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami and Ronaldo playing for Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr, the time when both players were dominating the highest levels of club football may have passed – but both continue to set records.

In the summer, Messi clinched 45th career trophy, surpassing the record set by Brazilian Dani Alves, as he captained Argentina to Copa America glory. It was his third consecutive major international tournament win, adding to the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America.

Not to be outdone, in September, Ronaldo became the first player to score 900 top-tier career goals when he doubled Portugal's lead over Croatia last week.

With countless trophies and a host of personal records, Messi and Ronaldo have a very special rivalry. We take a look at their profiles and all-time career statistics.

Player profile: Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi spent the first 21 years of his career with FC Barcelona – where he won Spain’s La Liga title ten times and the Uefa Champions League four times – before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. After two seasons in France, he signed for MLS team Inter Miami.

The Argentine “hasn’t had any problem adjusting to life” in Miami, said Fox Sports. As well as being among the goals he also helped the club win the 2023 MLS Leagues Cup after they beat Nashville SC on penalties in the final.

After leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022  Messi was named the men’s player of the year at the 2022 Best Fifa Awards. The forward has won the Fifa award three times and is also a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner following his triumph in 2023.

At Qatar 2022 Messi scored seven goals, including two in the final against France. He played his 1,000th career match as Argentina beat Australia in the round of 16.

Argentina also won the 2021 Copa América with Messi the top goalscorer in the competition. After winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Copa América triumph in 2021 was his first in senior international football. South American champions Argentina won the 2022 "Finalissima", 3-0 against European champions Italy, with Messi named man-of-the-match at Wembley Stadium.

He lifted his third consecutive major international tournament trophy this summer, after captaining Argentina to their second successive Copa America.

Messi is the only player in history to win the World Cup Golden Ball twice (2014 and 2022).

• Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Nationality: Argentine
• Age: 37
• Born: 24 June 1987
• Clubs: Inter Miami (2023-present); Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023); Barcelona (2004-2021)
• Ballon d’Or wins: 8 (2023, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
• The Best Fifa Men’s Player: 3 (2023, 2022, 2019)
• Champions League winners’ medals – 4: 2014-15, 2010-11, 2008-09, 2005-06 (all with Barcelona)
• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award: 2 (2023; 2019 joint winner with Lewis Hamilton)
• Captained Argentina in their 2021 and 2024 Copa America win
• Captained Argentina in their 2022 Fifa World Cup win
• 112 goals in 191 games (both national records)

Player profile: Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has played club football with Sporting Lisbon (2002-2003), Manchester United (2003-2009 and 2021-2022), Real Madrid (2009-2018), Juventus (2018-2021) and Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia (2023-present).

The 39-year-old’s trophy collection includes five Champions League winners’ medals, plus league titles in England, Spain and Italy. At Qatar 2022 he became the first male player to score in five different Fifa World Cups.  Ronaldo was also the first player to score at five European Championships.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who has scored more than 900 goals for club and country, is the top goalscorer in men’s international football with 135 goals for Portugal and holds the record for most international appearances (217). He won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and is also the all-time top goalscorer for Real Madrid (451) and in the Champions League (141).

On 12 August 2023 Ronaldo won his first trophy in Saudi Arabia, scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal in the Arab Club Champions Cup final.

• Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
• Nationality: Portuguese
• Age: 39
• Born: 5 February 1985
• Clubs: Al-Nassr (2023-present); Manchester United (2021-22 and 2003-09); Juventus (2018-21); Real Madrid (2009-18); Sporting Lisbon (2002-03)
• Ballon d’Or wins: 5 wins (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008)
• The Best Fifa Men's Player: 2 (2017 and 2016)
• Champions League winners’ medals – 5: 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2013-14 with Real Madrid; 2007–08 with Man Utd
• Captained Portugal in their Euro 2016 win
• All-time top goalscorer in men’s international football (135 goals)
• All-time record men’s international appearances (217)
• Top goalscorer in the Uefa Champions League (141 goals)
• First male player to score in five different Fifa World Cups

All-time goals, career statistics and red cards

• Ronaldo: 915 goals and 256 assists in 1,254 appearances
• Messi: 850 goals and 379 assists in 1,083 appearances
• Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 66; Messi 59
• Career goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.73; Messi 0.78
• Penalties: Ronaldo 170; Messi 109

All-time club careers (excluding friendlies)

• Ronaldo: 780 goals and 219 assists in 1,037 appearances
• Messi: 738 goals and 321 assists in 892 appearances
• Hat tricks: Ronaldo 56; Messi 49
• Club goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.75; Messi 0.83
• Penalties: Ronaldo 149; Messi 85

International careers (friendly and competitive matches)

Argentina star Messi has scored 112 goals in 191 international appearances – both all-time records for his nation. With 135 goals in 217 games for Portugal, Ronaldo holds both the all-time men's records for international appearances and goals.

• Ronaldo for Portugal: 135 goals and 37 assists in 217 appearances
• Messi for Argentina: 112 goals and 58 assists in 191 appearances
• Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 10; Messi 10
• International goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.62; Messi 0.59
• Penalties: Ronaldo 21; Messi 24

Career red cards: Messi 3, Ronaldo 12

Messi has been sent off three times in his career – twice for Argentina and once for Barcelona. He saw red just 43 seconds into his Argentina debut after coming on as a sub against Hungary in 2005. He was also sent off against Chile in the 2019 Copa América.

Messi’s third career red card – and first at club level – came on 17 January 2021. In Barcelona’s 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final loss against Athletic Bilbao, Messi walked after VAR spotted him lashing out against Asier Villalibre.

Ronaldo has been sent off 12 times in his career – once for Al-Nassr, once for Juventus, six times for Real Madrid and four times for Manchester United. "Notably," said goal, "the Portuguese has shown himself to be somewhat prone to losing his cool in derby matches." 

What people say about Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo: “I really admire the career he has had so far, and, for his part, he has already said that he had trouble when I left the Spanish league because it is a rivalry that he appreciates. It is a good rivalry that exists in football, but this is no exception. Michael Jordan had rivals in basketball, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were great rivals in Formula One, the only common point between all the big rivalries in the sport is that they are healthy.”

Gigi Buffon: “When I met Messi I reached out and touched him. I needed to make sure he was human like the rest of us.”

Ronaldinho: “When I look back on my career, the most enjoyable thing was seeing the early years of Leo Messi. When he retires, football – not just Barcelona – should retire the No.10 shirt.”

Pep Guardiola: “He is the best player I have ever seen. The best thing about him is not what he does but how simple he makes everything look.He is not just the best player because he can dribble past three or four players, it is because he does it better than anyone in the world.”

Neymar: “I played with Messi, who is, for me, one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is my idol in football.”

Diego Maradona: “I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius.”

David Beckham: “He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him. He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.”

What people say about Ronaldo

Lionel Messi: “(Ronaldo) is always there scoring goals in all the games and taking part in his club and national side. He has been doing that for many years and whether he is at his peak or a bit below it makes no difference.”

Brazil legend Pele, after Ronaldo reached 770 official goals: “Life is a solo flight. Each makes his own journey. And what a beautiful journey you are having. I admire you a lot, I love watching you play and this is no secret to anyone. Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches. My only regret is not being able to give you a hug today.”

George Best: “There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it’s been a compliment to me.”

Zinedine Zidane: “When you play with Ronaldo on your team, you are already 1-0 up.”

Gerard Pique: “The best player I have ever played against has to be Ronaldo. You cannot afford to take your eyes off him.”

Paolo Di Canio: “Messi left the pitch scratching his head, he has no emotions. I prefer Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘Do you want me to sit on the bench against Man City?’ I go back to Portugal, then I return and score a hat-trick. I prefer the human who has a soul to the alien without emotions.”