Assists (Opta™ criteria) given by Messi vs Ronaldo in national leagues
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
10
-10
2005
2
14
-12
2006
3
20
-17
2007
9
26
-17
2008
22
35
-13
2009
32
39
-7
2010
47
50
-3
2011
63
62
+1
2012
76
71
+5
2013
87
82
+5
2014
101
95
+6
2015
116
107
+9
2016
131
116
+15
2017
143
122
+21
2018
159
130
+29
2019
168
134
+34
2020
184
139
+45
2021
196
144
+52
2022
216
144
+72
2023
224
155
+69
2024
235
159
+76
2025
243
160
+83
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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