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Assists (Opta™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo in FIFA World Cups in the 2005-2006 season

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

PeriodLionel MessiCristiano RonaldoDifference
1810+1
1910+1
2110+1

Assists type

Compiled using Opta™ data from 2009 to present, for the following competitions:

Distribution by age

PeriodLionel MessiCristiano RonaldoDifference
181+1
190
210
Totals Per game
Team Games Goals Assists Goals Assists Contrib.
Argentina 3 1 1 0.33 0.33 0.67
Totals 3 1 1 0.33 0.33 0.67
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi 38 years, 2 months, 0 days
Totals Per game
Team Games Goals Assists Goals Assists Contrib.
Portugal 6 1 0 0.17 0.00 0.17
Totals 6 1 0 0.17 0.00 0.17
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo 40 years, 6 months, 19 days

Last games:

FIFA World Cup · Round of 16
Mexico vs Argentina
México 1-2 Argentina
 
Messi, 36′
 
24-06-2006
FIFA World Cup · Third-fourth place match
Germany vs Portugal
Alemania 3-1 Portugal
 
C. Ronaldo, 90′
 
08-07-2006