0 – 1

10 Jul

90′

Lionel Messi

34 years, 1 m, 6 d

1 – 0

27 Jun

90′

Cristiano Ronaldo

36 years, 5 m, 25 d

17 seasons+-2

19 seasons+2

929 games played+-144

1073 games played+144

748 goals+-35

783 goals+35

0.81 goals per game+0.08

0.73 goals per game+-0.08

648 goals without penalties+4

644 goals without penalties+-4

Scores every 101′39″-9′53″

Scores every 111′32″-9′53″

315 assists+88

227 assists+-88

71 indirect assists+26

45 indirect assists+-26

Assists every 241′23″-143′22″

Assists every 384′45″-143′22″

Involved in goal every 71′32″-14′56″

Involved in goal every 86′28″-14′56″

37/81 titles won+3

34/85 titles won+-3

6 Ballon d'Or+1

5 Ballon d'Or+-1

6 Golden Boot+2

4 Golden Boot+-2

5.07 shots per goal*-1.34

6.41 shots per goal*1.34

99 goals outside the box*+35

64 goals outside the box*+-35

350 goals in penalty box*+-16

366 goals in penalty box*+16

73 goals in six yard box*+-16

89 goals in six yard box*+16

2386 dribbles*+1454

932 dribbles*+-1454

61.23% dribble effectiveness*+7.88%

53.35% dribble effectiveness*+-7.88%

1196 key passes*+355

841 key passes*+-355

25330 passes succeed*+11126

14204 passes succeed*+-11126

84.01% passing accuracy*+2.86%

81.15% passing accuracy*+-2.86%

73.43% long pass accuracy*+1.82%

71.61% long pass accuracy*+-1.82%

84.57% short pass accuracy*+3.16%

81.41% short pass accuracy*+-3.16%

* Data from WhoScored, covering the period 2009-2021, updated 28/06/2021

In football conversations usually arises the discussion over who is better… if Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Any Google search yields hundreds of results on “Messi vs Ronaldo” or “Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi”. Assuming that we will always make a subjective analysis, based on our personal preferences, I have made this comparison, as a statistic, rigorous and totally objective analysis, in which I will confront their individual and collective achievements. I have incorporated an aspect that many people apply: the comparison of the two while Cristiano Ronaldo played for Real Madrid (2009 to 2018). We also compare their international careers, as well as their performance in the main european club competition, UEFA Champions League.