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
0
4
-4
2003
0
6
-6
2004
0
20
-20
2005
4
31
-27
2006
7
41
-34
2007
19
52
-33
2008
37
64
-27
2009
52
70
-18
2010
69
88
-19
2011
106
106
0
2012
128
119
+9
2013
144
134
+10
2014
165
154
+11
2015
191
171
+20
2016
222
187
+35
2017
238
199
+39
2018
264
212
+52
2019
282
216
+66
2020
301
223
+78
2021
319
230
+89
2022
349
234
+115
2023
361
249
+112
2024
379
256
+123
2025
399
259
+140
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
