Assists (Opta™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo in knockout games
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
0
0
2003/2004
0
3
-3
2004/2005
0
6
-6
2005/2006
0
8
-8
2006/2007
1
11
-10
2007/2008
1
11
-10
2008/2009
4
13
-9
2009/2010
6
13
-7
2010/2011
11
16
-5
2011/2012
21
17
+4
2012/2013
22
18
+4
2013/2014
26
21
+5
2014/2015
36
25
+11
2015/2016
46
27
+19
2016/2017
51
28
+23
2017/2018
58
30
+28
2018/2019
64
30
+34
2019/2020
65
30
+35
2020/2021
69
31
+38
2021/2022
71
32
+39
2022/2023
75
32
+43
2023/2024
78
33
+45
2024/2025
78
34
+44
2025/2026
78
35
+43
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, MLS, Premier League, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Nations League
