Over the course of the past decade, we have been blessed with two soccer magicians. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have written themselves into the history books, and the fact is this: they are two of the greatest players of all time.
But how often have you heard someone challenge you – Messi or Ronaldo? It’s actually incredibly divisive in soccer, and some people are in one camp or the other. It’s like there’s no middle ground.
If you open your social media account after Manchester United or PSG have played, you will see adoration and hate for these two soccer Gods, with very little in between.
So, in this article, Soccer Knowledge Hub attempts to answer the impossible: who’s better, Messi or Ronaldo?
Messi or Ronaldo: What do the stats say?
When comparing two players – no matter who they are – it’s important to look at the stats first and foremost. So, with that in mind, here are some facts about Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that the SKH team found particularly interesting (at the time of writing):
| Metric | Leo Messi | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| Club appearances | 810 | 933 |
| Club goals | 681 | 698 |
| Club assists | 317 | 230 |
| International appearances | 162 | 188 |
| International goals | 86 | 117 |
| International assists | 51 | 42 |
| Trophies won (club) | 36 | 32 |
| Trophies won (country) | 1 | 2 |
| Ballon D’or wins | 7 | 5 |
As you can see from a purely statistical analysis, Messi and Ronaldo are remarkably similar. Ronaldo has slightly more goals, but Messi edges him in assists. CR7 has scored more for his country, but Messi has laid on more goals for his teammates.
The truth is that both Messi and Ronaldo’s statistics are frightening. They’re lightyears ahead of their peers and have cemented their places at the top of the modern game. So, we need to dig a little deeper to answer the question. And for what it’s worth, here’s my opinion.
The case for Leo Messi
I’m blessed to have watched Leo Messi live twice. Once in an international friendly – Scotland v Argentina – and another time in a UCL tie, ironically against CR7’s Manchester United. The funny thing is, he flattered to deceive on both occasions.
But I’ve been a soccer fan from the mid-nineties until now, and I can tell you one thing – no player in my lifetime has left me speechless as many times as Leo Messi.
He is the player that every fan wants to see. His touch, finesse, and balance allow him to wriggle through gaps and make defenders regret their decision to turn up for the fixture.
The biggest compliment I can pay to Messi is that when you’re watching him, you can’t rule anything out. He’s scored from his own half, he’s taken on entire teams, and he’s scored wonderful free-kicks that had no right to find the back of the net.
Something that you often hear in the Messi or Ronaldo debate is that Messi is more of a team player. He’s compared to the conductor of an orchestra; without him, there would be no music. And it’s a fair point.
How many times have you watched Messi retreat back into his own defensive third to pick up possession? He’s European soccer’s Tom Brady – a quarterback with unprecedented skill and influence over the entire fixture that is playing out in front of him.
In my humble opinion, one of Messi’s finest ever performances came at Wembley in the 2011 Champions League final. Messi was imperious. He dictated play and controlled everything – Manchester United simply couldn’t cope.
While this is one example, it’s indicative of the way that Messi has played throughout his career. He’s a diminutive genius who controls everything that passes through his team. He is capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and creating something out of nothing.
This, for me, is why Leo Messi is a genius. But is he better than Ronaldo?
The case for Cristiano Ronaldo
I must make an admission before making my case for CR7; I had a season ticket at Old Trafford for several seasons when Ronaldo was at his peak. Although I’m not a Manchester United fan, my dad and I love soccer more than anything. And when we were offered season tickets at Old Trafford, we simply couldn’t turn them down.
Therefore, my opinion of Ronaldo is that he’s the best player I’ve ever watched live. I was lucky to attend Old Trafford at a time when Paul Scholes had the cigars out in central midfield, and I watched the likes of Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo, and even Kaka strut their stuff in matches against United.
But watching Ronaldo week-in, week-out made me realize just how incredible he was – and still is – as a soccer player. My dad and I watched him score goals that seemed illogical at the time. But it was his flicks and pieces of skill that really captured our attention.
He effortlessly brought his teammates into play and terrified his opponents. I watched Ronaldo when he was predominantly used as a left-winger, though he sometimes played through the middle.
His contribution to games wasn’t always Messi-like, but when he was on the field, he could score at any time, from anywhere.
Even at 37 and featuring for one of the worst Manchester United teams in recent history, Ronaldo is still lightyears ahead of his teammates. And most of his opponents.
And in spite of the fact that he has represented a club that considers legends against the very best of all time – George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Wayne Rooney, to name a few – Ronaldo is arguably the very best to have graced the Old Trafford pitch. And that’s really saying something.
But, is Ronaldo a better player than Messi? Here’s my take.
The verdict: Messi or Ronaldo
When I sat down to write this article, I thought in my mind that I was going to conclude that Ronaldo is better than Messi. After all, I watched him live for two years during his prime.
I, therefore, feel an affinity with Ronaldo and a gratitude that he performed as he did for those two magical years when Manchester United were the best team in Europe.
But Messi was doing exactly the same in Spain for Barcelona. And he has done it every year since.
Therefore, my opinion is that it’s pointless choosing between Messi and Ronaldo. The reason I brought in their statistics at the start of this article is to show just how alike they both are in terms of their on-the-field impact.
The question should not be Messi or Ronaldo. The statement should be this: Messi and Ronaldo are two of the greatest players of all time. And nothing else needs to be said.