Assists (Opta™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo
Opta stands out as the most reliable statistics hub and serves as the de facto ‘official’ statistics provider in football. They furnish data to esteemed platforms such as the BBC, the Premier League, WhoScored, Squawka, and numerous other prominent media outlets.
Below is Opta’s interpretation of an assist:
The final touch (pass, pass-cum-shot or any other touch) leading to the recipient of the ball scoring a goal. If the final touch is deflected by an opposition player, the initiator is only given a goal assist if the receiving player was likely to receive the ball without the deflection having taken place. Own goals, directly taken free kicks, direct corner goals and penalties do not get an assist awarded.
Cumulative distribution
Period
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Difference
2002/2003
0
4
-4
2003/2004
0
13
-13
2004/2005
0
25
-25
2005/2006
6
35
-29
2006/2007
11
51
-40
2007/2008
27
59
-32
2008/2009
46
68
-22
2009/2010
58
79
-21
2010/2011
87
97
-10
2011/2012
121
114
+7
2012/2013
139
128
+11
2013/2014
155
143
+12
2014/2015
186
164
+22
2015/2016
213
181
+32
2016/2017
231
194
+37
2017/2018
252
205
+47
2018/2019
272
215
+57
2019/2020
298
220
+78
2020/2021
315
227
+88
2021/2022
331
231
+100
2022/2023
361
236
+125
2023/2024
379
252
+127
2024/2025
389
257
+132
2025/2026
389
258
+131
Assists type
Compiled using Opta™ data from 2009 to present, for the following competitions:
Copa América, FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup Qualifier, La Liga, Ligue 1, Major League Soccer, Premier League, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League
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