Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest players ever seen on an athletic field, both being phenomenal strikers who have won many accolades over time. But which one stands out?
Let’s examine some key statistics to assess who is superior. We will compare each team in different categories such as goals, assists, headers, dribbling and passing.
1. Goals
One of the most striking similarities between Messi and Ronaldo is their prodigious goal scoring ability; Ronaldo being more consistent having won five Ballon d’Or awards to Messi’s seven.
Messi, on the other hand, stands out with his outstanding record when it comes to scoring from headers. Additionally, Messi is known for being a prolific free kick taker who scores more hat tricks.
2. Assists
Messi and Ronaldo score goals at an astounding rate for their club sides, so it should come as no surprise that both are considered among the greatest players of all-time.
Both players are legendary goal scorers, yet what truly separates them is their teamwork and tireless hard work ethic, which have won them numerous awards and distinctions throughout their careers.
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3. Goalscoring Ratio
Cristiano Ronaldo typically scores more goals per game than Lionel Messi, yet their difference may not be as great due to Ronaldo being an outstanding penalty taker.
Messi is a genius with the ball at his feet. His short stature and low center of gravity allow him to quickly change directions without losing momentum, frustrating defenders.
4. Goals per Game
Lionel Messi has won four Golden Boot awards (once each in Premier League and Serie A, and three times in La Liga), while Cristiano Ronaldo has been top scorer five times.
Ronaldo has outscored Messi in both Champions League goals scored and penalty conversion rate. CR7 boasts the upper hand.
5. Goals per Minutes
Ronaldo may have scored more goals overall, but Messi has excelled this season with headers for Al-Nassr.
Messi is widely considered the premier passer in world soccer. His precise passing style allows him to pass effortlessly even under intense pressure, which makes his passing unique in its effectiveness and efficiency.
He led his national team to two major tournament finals despite suffering significant heartache during those competitions.
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6. Heading
Ronaldo clearly outshines Messi in terms of heading. The former Manchester United star has scored more headers this year for Al-Nassr than its counterpart has managed.
He is renowned for being an exceptional runner and aerialist, taking many free-kicks with precision, playing effective passes from all parts of the pitch and being unrivaled at taking free-kicks himself – qualities which made him one of football’s great legends.
7. Dribbling
Dribbling is essential to becoming an exceptional footballer, with top dribblers having small frames, great balance, agility and moving quickly so defenders cannot catch them.
Ronaldo is an excellent free kick taker and penalty conversion rate is much higher than Messi’s; however, Messi has overcome previous struggles to win an international level tournament shootout with Argentina.
8. Passing
Messi is widely known for his phenomenal playmaking and poaching ability as an accomplished False 9 player, possessing uncanny pass accuracy that has disarmed thousands of defenders with ease.
Ronaldo boasts impressive heading stats; since 2009 he has scored an amazing 155 goals (with 29 misses) across both league and Champions League matches he has appeared in, winning more aerial duels than Messi himself.
9. Shooting
Ronaldo stands out as being an outstanding goal scorer when it comes to headers, while Messi excels as a free kick taker.
Additionally, Argentinean is more effective at through balls than Portuguese which explains his two wins of Puskas award and overall international success.
10. Overall
One of the most contentious debates in football concerns who is superior: Lionel Messi or Cristiano? Both players have amassed numerous trophies throughout their careers, proving themselves worthy contenders.
Messi is one of the best free kick takers around, yet his increased scoring in recent years puts him slightly ahead. Messi scored four direct free kick goals while Ronaldo only scored two.
