It is difficult to say how relevant a goal is. Many people consider the first goal the most important, others think that the goal that starts a comeback is more important, others think that the goal that ends it is more important, others are based on the moment, for example if the goal comes when the rival is dominating the game… there are many different points of view.
Taking into account all these subjectivities, I consider that the only totally objective way of measuring the influence that goals have on the scoreboard is mathematics. Not everyone will agree with this procedure, but the truth is that it is not subjective, and simplifying football to the minimum, where one team has to score more goals than the other, this is a fair method.
Scoring system explained
CASE 1: Our team wins 2-0 and our player scores or assists 1 goal.
If we subtract his goal, the score would be 1-0. In other words, this goal is not relevant for victory, therefore in this case we add ZERO POINTS.
CASE 2: Our team ties 1-1 and our player scores or assists 1 goal.
If we subtract this goal, the score would be 0-1. So, this goal is relevant to go from defeat to draw, therefore in this case we add ONE POINT.
CASE 3: Our team wins 2-1 and our player scores or assists 1 goal.
If we subtract this goal, the score would be 1-1. So, this goal is relevant to move from draw to victory, therefore in this case we add TWO POINTS.
CASE 4: Our team wins 2-1 and our player scores/assists 2 goals.
If we subtract this two goals, the score would be 0-1. So, these goals are relevant to go from defeat to victory, therefore in this case we add THREE POINTS.
Points won with clubs
For this section, we count only matches where points were contested:
- Portuguese League
- Spanish League
- Premier League
- Italian League
- Champions League Group Stage
Based on this table, the following conclusions can be obtained:
Points won with clubs
Messi’s clubs have conquered % of the points they have contested with Lionel Messi on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo’s teams only %.
From the points that Messi’s clubs have obtained with Messi on the pitch, % were because of the goals scored by Leo Messi.
From the points Cristiano Ronaldo’s clubs have obtained with him on the pitch, % were because of the goals scored by the Portuguese.
From the points that Messi’s clubs have obtained with Messi on the pitch, % were because of goals scored or assisted by Leo Messi.
From the points Cristiano Ronaldo’s clubs have won with him on the pitch, % were because of goals scored or assisted by the Portuguese.
Points won with Portugal and Argentina National Teams
For this section, we count only matches where points were contested:
- Eurocup qualifiers group stage
- World Cup qualifiers group stage
- Copa América group stage
- Confederations Cup group stage
- Eurocup group stage
- World Cup group stage
Based on this table, the following conclusions can be obtained:
Portugal has won % of the points contested with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch. Argentina with Messi only %.
From the points Argentina won with Messi on the pitch, % was because of goals scored by Leo Messi.
From the points Portugal won with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, % was because of goals scored by the Portuguese.
From the points Portugal won with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, % was because of goals scored or assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
From the points Argentina won with Messi on the pitch, % was because of goals scored or assisted by the Argentine.
All points won (Clubs and National Teams)
Based on this table, the following conclusions can be obtained:
Messi’s teams have conquered % of the points they have contested with Lionel Messi on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo’s teams only %.
From the points that Messi’s teams have obtained with Messi on the pitch, % were because of the goals scored by the Argentine.
From the points Cristiano Ronaldo’s teams have obtained with him on the pitch, % were because of the goals scored by the Portuguese.
From the points that Messi’s teams have won with Messi on the pitch, % were because of goals scored or assisted by Leo Messi.
From the points Cristiano Ronaldo’s teams have won with him on the pitch, % were because of goals scored or assisted by the Portuguese.
Curiosities: Points won while both were playing in Spain
For this section, we count only matches where points were contested:
- Spanish league
- Champions League group stage
Based on this table, the following conclusions can be obtained:
During the period 2009-2018, FC Barcelona with Messi on the pitch, was more effective than Real Madrid with the Portuguese on the pitch
FC Barcelona won % of the points they disputed with the Argentine on the pitch. Ronaldo’s Real Madrid only %.
During the period 2009-2018, Messi won with his goals more points than Cristiano Ronaldo
From the points FC Barcelona won with Messi on the pitch, % was thanks to goals scored by the Argentine.
From the points Real Madrid won with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, % was thanks to goals scored by the Portuguese.
Counting goals and assists, Leo Messi also won more points than Cristiano Ronaldo during the period 2009-2018
From the points FC Barcelona won with Messi on the pitch, % was thanks to goals scored or assisted by Leo Messi.
From the points Real Madrid won with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, % was thanks to goals scored or assisted by the Portuguese.
