If anyone asks who the most influential, skillful, and most prominent athlete in the world is, it would be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. The most disputed argument in sports history is: Who is the better player?
The two footballers have accomplished outstanding achievements throughout their careers. Having won a combined 11 Ballon d’Or awards, both are regarded as the two best players of their generation. While the two athletes have different physiques and playing styles, both have scored over 700 goals in their careers for their clubs and country.
The rivalry between the two soccer players grew when both were in the Spanish football league, La Liga. They faced off with each other at least twice every season in the world’s most popular soccer match, FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid or El Clasico. The two highest-paid footballers are also the face of two rival sportswear companies, Messi of Adidas and Ronaldo of Nike.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays for FC Barcelona in Spain. He is the captain of both the club and his national team. He has won six Ballon d’Or awards along with six Best FIFA Men’s Player trophies, two UEFA Best Player in Europe, 10 Player of the Year, four Champions League titles and 10 Spanish League champions.
Messi’s statistics prove that he is better in terms of team play and clutchness than Ronaldo. The Expected Points Added (EPA) rates goals based on their context and importance and by their added win probability, which means a winning goal in the last minute is rated higher than a goal scored in a 3-0 win. Messi’s EPA is higher with 59.5 than Ronaldo, who has 50.4.
Messi is an incredible scorer, playmaker, and brings his team together. He has more assists and key passes than Ronaldo and is great at keeping his teammates involved. His dribbling is considered to be the best at the game and creates opportunities for him or his teammate to score.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Juventus in Italy. He is the captain of his national team. He shows off an incredible resume with five Ballon d’Or awards, five Best FIFA Men’s Player trophies, three UEFA Best Player in Europe, five Champions League trophies, three Premier League titles, and two La Liga titles.
Ronaldo is a more dynamic and athletic soccer player than Messi. His game is faster, stronger, and demands more in physical aspects. His combination of physical and technical abilities, while standing 6-1 with a lot of muscles, allows him to be explosive and jump as high as NBA players. He has powerful shooting and is famous for his great headers.
Ronaldo’s international career is at a higher level than Messi’s. Messi has never won an international title, losing in the finals for both Copa America and the World Cup. Ronaldo led Portugal to win Euro 2016.
He holds the record for most followers on social media. Ronaldo currently has 220 million followers on Instagram.
Head-to-Head
The two great footballers have met each other in 35 matches so far. Messi has the advantage when it comes to El Clasico. In a total of 18 games played, Messi has won 10 while Ronaldo has only won four times with four draws. Messi has scored 12 goals in those matchups, while Ronaldo scored nine times.
They also met in the Champions League five times, which Barcelona won twice while Real Madrid only won once. Messi has three goals against the Madrid team, while Ronaldo has not scored any goals.
