Assists (Transfermarkt™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo in 2026
Transfermarkt‘s criteria is more lenient in their concept of assists. They include deflected passes, rebounded shots, penalties earned, and passes or shots leading to an own goal.
In this section, we use that criterion, although the figures on Transfermarkt may differ, as they are quite inconsistent in gathering assists.
Cumulative distribution
Period
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Difference
2025/2026
24
2
+22
Distribution by season
Period
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Difference
2025/2026
24
2
+22
Assists (Transfermarkt™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo in 2026: key facts
Who has more assists, Messi or Ronaldo?
Messi has provided 21 assists and Ronaldo 1 assist. Messi is ahead by 20. Messi gives an assist every 189 minutes and Ronaldo every 3,440 minutes, so Messi creates for his teammates 1,722% more often.
