The debate around the football GOAT and the Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry is eternal. For the past two decades, two players, born with immense talent graced the football pitch and changed the game.
These two made fans fall in love with the sport even more, inspiring generations of young boys to want to be like them, play like them, get haircuts like them, and join the clubs they’re in just to play alongside them. That is the strength of their influence and power in the game.
The two have competed for years and between them have a total of over 1800+ goals, 650+ assists, 80 trophies and over 500+ Man of the Match awards.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, are legends of the game. Both players, who had their professional debuts at the age of 16 and 17, have had careers that have spanned 21 and 23 years, respectively. Each, in their own right, has a claim to being the ultimate football GOAT.
From the near-tragic possibility of Lionel Messi never reaching his full potential had Barcelona not stepped in to cover his Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) treatment after his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate couldn’t afford the costly injections, to Cristiano Ronaldo’s struggle with tachycardia, a racing heart condition that required laser surgery, all while growing up in abject poverty, both icons overcame life-changing challenges that could have ended their careers before it started.
The Argentine and Portuguese have blessed the eyes of those who have witnessed them play, both in stadiums and on Television. Both players have pushed boundaries just to maintain their top level and redefine what consistency, excellence and longevity mean in football.
A longevity that has seen Ronaldo’s son get an Under-16 call-up for his Portuguese team and also make his international youth debut, though not a professional one at senior level.
On May 13, 2025, at the Vlatko Markovic U-15 tournament in Croatia, 14‑year‑old Cristiano Jr, wearing the iconic “number 7” his father is famous for, entered the pitch in the 54th minute of the game for Portugal in a 4–1 victory over Japan. And after the game, Ronaldo Sr. tweeted, “Congratulations on your debut for Portugal, son. Very proud of you.”
Messi vs Ronaldo: A Rivalry That Redefined Greatness
From a range of astonishing solo goals, long-range goals, panenkas, breathtaking dribbles, jaw-dropping statistics, and moments of pure magic on the pitch, the catalogue between these two is filled with worldies, and they’ve not only dominated an era but elevated the sport itself. The football Goat debate exists mainly because these two icons have set records that seem impossible to break but also mind-boggling standards of excellence and consistency.
And since the two greats were unfortunate to be born in the same era, there has been great difficulty separating one from the other to tell who has had a better career and who the ultimate goat is.
For a very long time, the question of who is the greatest footballer of all time has sparked passionate debates among fans, pundits, managers and players alike.
In 2022, Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986, ending their 36-year wait for the prestigious trophy. While the World Cup victory seemed to cement his status as the GOAT for many, Ronaldo’s recent 2025 UEFA Nations League win at the age of 40 has, for some, reignited the football Goat conversation.
The Tale of Two Legends
Statistical Showdown
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Athlete
Cristiano Ronaldo, a football icon who leaves his mark wherever he goes, has been a profound influence on a generation of young players. The Portuguese legend is renowned as a lethal forward, blessed with athleticism, unmatched determination to keep fit and an insatiable hunger for goals.
The outstanding numbers he has put up in Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, and now Al-Nassr make him a benchmark for excellence and longevity in modern football. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 104 goals in 117 games for Al-Nassr. And in his latest game against Al Hazm, he scored his 950th career goal. A remarkable milestone that shows his brilliance and unmatched longevity at the top of world football.
His ability to adapt and dominate in different leagues, each with its unique challenges, cements his status as one of the most complete and consistent strikers the game has ever seen.
Ronaldo has proven himself across leagues. In Italy, he was a prolific goal scorer for Juventus, winning two Serie A titles and the league’s MVP. In the 2020/21 season, Ronaldo won the Serie A Golden Boot, scoring 29 goals, surpassing Romelu Lukaku (24 goals). In England, he won the Golden Boot with 31 goals in the 2007/08 season, and in Spain, he won the Pichichi trophy three times.
This made him the first player in history to finish as the top scorer in the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
Known as one of the most prolific goal scorers in football history, CR7 is currently the highest goal scorer in men’s international football history with 143 goals and counting.
Renowned for his physical strength, speed and aerial dominance, Ronaldo’s career has been defined by his ruthlessness in front of goal. He is Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer with 450 goals, with 311 of those goals coming in 292 appearances – which means he averages over a goal per game – a feat rarely matched in modern-day football.
He holds different world records; the fastest player in history to reach 100 Champions League goals, the first player to score 10+ goals in seven UCL seasons, the most goals 140+ in Champions League history, and he also has the most appearances in UCL history.
Lionel Messi: The Artist
The Argentine is more recognised as a well-rounded playmaker, a creator-in-chief, and his career statistics show that he not only scores goals, but he also creates them. Lionel Messi’s records include him being the only player in La Liga with the most assists in a single season (21) in the 2019/20 season, and he holds the record for the most assists in La Liga history (192+).
The Magical Messi also leads in big chances created in La Liga history (216), displaying his vision and ability to split defences with precise passes. He’s also the only player to record both 30+ goals and 30+ assists in a single club season (2011/12), a level of all-round dominance, and a record that looks increasingly hard to break.
Another record that few can only dream of matching is his Guinness World Record of 91 goals in a calendar year (2012), with 50 of those coming in 38 matches in La Liga.
In addition, throughout his 21 years at the Blaugrana, he went on to break Late Pele’s 46-year record for most goals for a single club (672), and he’s also the first player to score in 23 consecutive La Liga matches.
READ MORE: The Surprising Revival: How Set-Piece Tactics Are Transforming Modern Football
International Achievements
The international success of any player with their country determines how highly their career will be rated. When discussing international glory, few stories capture football history like the Messi vs Ronaldo journey. Two careers that have shaped national teams and tournaments for nearly two decades.
Cristiano Ronaldo
His international career with Portugal is just as historic as it is in club football. Since making his debut in 2003, he has become Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and the most-capped player in men’s international football, holding numerous records on the global stage.
And in 2016, he captained Portugal to their first-ever major international trophy by winning the UEFA Euro, despite being forced off in the 25th minute after a collision with France’s Dimitri Payet, leading to an anterior cruciate ligament sprain. His leadership from the bench was instrumental as Portugal defeated France in extra time.
Three years later, he led his country to another title – the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, sealing Portugal’s place among Europe’s elite. Along the way, he has produced countless clutch performances, including hat-tricks in critical qualifiers and knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi
Early Retirement and the Triumphs After Returning to the Game
Accusations such as “Messi can’t win without Barcelona” and claims of a “weak mentality” flooded social media after the then 29-year-old forward announced his retirement from international football in June 2016, following four heartbreaking final defeats with Argentina. It was a difficult period for the superstar, who felt he had failed to deliver the same joy and success that his legendary predecessor, Diego Maradona, once brought to the nation.
Messi, who was criticised for his lack of silverware with his national team, now boasts of records that would take decades to surpass.
He first played a pivotal role in ending his country’s 28-year trophy drought by leading Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021, followed by a commanding Finalissima victory over Italy in 2022, winning 3-0, and just six months later, he secured the ultimate prize with a World Cup triumph that solidified his place as the greatest of all time.
In national team football, Messi remains the only player to win the Golden Ball at two different World Cups (2014, 2022) while scoring in every stage of a World Cup – the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final – a feat no other player in history has achieved.
He is also Argentina’s all-time leading scorer (106 goals) and assist provider (56+), and the only player in international football history to win the most Man of the Match awards at the FIFA World Cup with 11 in total, including 5 during the 2022 edition.
Messi is also his nation’s most-capped player, making over 180 appearances, and holds the record for most goals scored in a single calendar year for Argentina (18 goals in 2022). He is also the top scorer for Argentina in World Cup history with 13 goals, and the joint-highest assist provider in World Cup history, with eight assists, tied with legends like Pele and Maradona.
Clutch Moments and Big-Game Brilliance
The ability to perform and deliver under immense pressure differentiates a good player from a great player.
In the Messi vs Ronaldo saga, both quality players have left unforgettable marks in the Champions League, World Cup, and domestic league games, whether it’s scoring a last-minute goal, providing an assist or generally having their impact felt in the game.
Both Messi and Ronaldo have built an everlasting legacy on these moments, be it Champions League Finals, World Cup stage, or domestic league matches, and they will be remembered for it long after their playing days are over.
Lionel Messi at His Most Brilliant
Widely regarded as a footballing god, Messi is renowned for his effortless creativity and his ability to create goal-scoring chances out of nothing. His magic lies in his trademark mazy runs, gravity-defying dribbles, defence-splitting passes, and goals that often defy logic. Take for example, his bending free kick against Liverpool in the UCL, or his audacious “Panenka” free kick against Espanyol in La Liga.
One of his most memorable clutch performances came in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United. Barcelona dominated the game, and in the 70th minute, Messi sealed the victory by rising above the defence to nod in the second goal, leaving legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and defender Rio Ferdinand watching helplessly.
Another defining period came in the 2015 Champions League semi-final (first leg) against Bayern Munich. With the game still goalless, Messi stepped up spectacularly, scoring twice and assisting Neymar for the third goal. His second goal, one Jerome Boateng wouldn’t want to ever rewatch, became instantly iconic. After picking up the ball near the halfway line, he danced through defenders and sent the defender stumbling before delicately chipping the ball over a charging Manuel Neuer.
His game-changing moments also extend to international competitions. In his last World Cup appearance in 2022, the boy from Rosario delivered when Argentina needed him most and inspired them to lift the trophy for the second time.
The former Barcelona star, who endured heartbreak in the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany, finally claimed the one trophy that had long evaded him. In a career-defining performance on the grandest stage, he scored twice in regular time and calmly converted his penalty during the shootout, leading his nation to World Cup glory. He ended the tournament with seven goals and three assists, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
In domestic campaigns, his late winners and match-defining moments in the El Clásico – where he has scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 45 matches against rivals Real Madrid – show just how much of a big game player he is.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Clutch Moment
When the pressure is at its peak and the stakes couldn’t be higher, most players shy away in moments like these. For instance, in the 2010 World Cup game between Ghana and Uruguay, the black stars had won a penalty, but each player on the pitch rejected the chance to take it, except Gyan, who stepped up, but eventually missed it.
Only a few players thrive in pressure-filled occasions, and Ronaldo has proven time and again to be at the top of the list. He has consistently shown that he is the man his team can rely on when it matters most.
One of the most iconic examples came in the 2017 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. With Real Madrid trailing by a goal in the 25th minute of the first leg, the club needed a spark, and Ronaldo stepped up and scored five goals over the two legs with a brace in the first leg, turning the deficit in his team’s favour, and in the second leg, a hat-trick to seal passage into the Semi-Finals of the UCL.
A year later, in the 2018 quarter-final against Juventus, Ronaldo further etched his name in the history of the competition. He scored one of the most jaw-dropping bicycle kicks in the competition, drawing standing ovations from Juventus fans. That goal, part of another brace in a 3-0 away win, showed his ability to rise above the occasion.
Ronaldo has made a career out of delivering in moments like this, but perhaps his most legendary clutch performance came shortly after joining Juventus. In the 2019 Champions League Round of 16, after losing the first leg 2-0 to Atlético Madrid, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored an extraordinary hat-trick in the return leg in Turin, singlehandedly turning the tie around, securing a 3-2 aggregate win for this team.
That is the essence of Ronaldo’s greatness: not just the numbers, but when the tough times come, he is mentally ready. Some snide remarks are made about him being a passer-by in games, but with one chance, he buries it. He defines it in its most critical moments, leaving his mark.
Personal Awards
In the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate, what most fans use to decide who the GOAT is often comes down to the number of awards they’ve won and the level of impact they’ve had on the biggest stages.
For many, it’s about Ballon d’Ors, Golden Boots, and international trophies; for others, it’s about influence, consistency, and the ability to deliver when it matters most.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s career is not defined by goals and trophies alone, but by an astonishing collection of individual accolades that reflect his dominance across eras.
He has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), acknowledging him as the best player in the world. His tireless pursuit of excellence also earned him four European Golden Shoes, awarded to the top scorer in Europe’s top 5 leagues, making him the only player to win it in both England and Spain.
Ronaldo has been named UEFA Player of the Year thrice (2014, 2016, and 2017) and holds the record for the most Champions League Player of the Season awards. He’s also a multiple-time Portuguese Player of the Year (10), proudly representing his nation with distinction.
His consistency is matched only by Messi, whether it’s being named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI over 15 times or collecting Player of the Month/Year honours in every league he’s played in.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s career is a masterclass in individual excellence, with a record-breaking 46 trophies, making him the most decorated footballer in history.
At the centre of all his awards lies a record eight Ballon d’Or wins (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023), more than any player in history. These awards highlight a career that has remained at the highest level for nearly two decades.
Messi has also claimed 6 European Golden Boots – the most ever, recognising how clinical he is in front of goal. His performances have earned him numerous FIFA Best Player (two), La Liga Best Player (six), and Champions League Forward of the Season (one) honours.
He was on multiple occasions featured in the FIFA FIFPro World XI and has been named Player of the Tournament in international competitions, including the 2022 World Cup.
Each award Messi has earned is a testament to his genius, a reflection of his unmatched creativity, and years of dedication honing his skills into pure football mastery.
Impact Off the Pitch
The Messi vs Ronaldo debate extends far beyond the football field.
Both icons have shown aspiring young players that “talent alone isn’t enough.”
Ronaldo’s relentless work ethic and disciplined lifestyle – including a strict diet that helped him maintain just 7% body fat, as revealed during a medical check-up in Italy with Juventus – have left a lasting impact on the next generation.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, has cited Ronaldo’s approach as an inspiration, as have members of the Portuguese national team, who now emphasise high-protein meals, fish, lean meats, eggs, and a strict avoidance of sugar and alcohol.
They have both redefined what it means to be a global superstar, influencing fashion, social media, and marketing in ways few athletes ever have. Messi’s quiet charisma and dedication to his craft have inspired millions of young players to emulate his vision and creativity.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: West Ham vs Leeds United: 2-1 Defeat Sees Hammers Hit Historic Low, Nuno Espírito Santo Under Fire Following Early Defensive Meltdown
Messi vs Ronaldo: Who Do Managers Say Is The Best?
Pep Guardiola – Messi
Joachim Low – Messi
Diego Simeone – Messi
Fabio Capello – Messi
Carlo Ancelotti – Ronaldo
Zinedine Zidane – Ronaldo
Sir Alex Ferguson – Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s Quotes on Messi
“Amazing player, he is magic, top…As a person, we share the stage 16 years, imagine, 16 years we share…He’s a guy that I really respect the way he always speaks about me.”
“I really admire the career he has had…I have no doubt that Lionel Messi has made me a better player and vice-versa. When I am winning trophies, it must sting him, and it’s the same for me when he wins.”
Messi’s Quotes on Ronaldo
I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, and for the career he’s had and continues to have…The competition with him was on the pitch… Each of us wanted to do the best for our team. Off the pitch, we are two normal guys. We’re not friends because we don’t spend time together, but we’ve always treated each other with a lot of respect.”
“It was a great battle, from a sporting point of view. We fed off each other’s rivalry because we’re both great competitors…I think we deserve a lot of credit for having managed to stay at the top for so long.”
So, Who is the Goat?
Ronaldo, 40 and Messi, 38, both legends of the sport play on different continents, but for every game they star in, comparisons are always made.
The talent between both players is undeniable, but fans’ preference in the Messi vs Ronaldo debate boils down to what they value most in football – artistry or athleticism. And for each choice they make, they can’t be faulted, because both players have redefined the modern game in their own unique ways.
Messi captivates with his natural genius, vision, and effortless creativity, while Ronaldo embodies power, precision, and relentless determination. One represents instinctive brilliance born from flair; the other, perfection achieved through hard work, discipline and drive. Ultimately, the debate isn’t just about who’s better – it’s about how each defines greatness.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / DeFodi
Recording Date: 23.12.2017