Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Argentina against Portugal. The almanac states its case, you decide.
Lionel Messi
Argentina · 2005– · RM
- Rank in Argentina
- #2 of 33
- Caps · Argentina
- 207 (as of 5 October 2026) · 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals
- Clubs
- Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami
- Honours
- FIFA World Cup 2022 · 8× Ballon d'Or · UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award (2011, 2015)
Lusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2. Career record: 207 (as of 5 October 2026) caps and 125 (as of 5 October 2026) goals for Argentina; club career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami; honours include 8× Ballon d'Or, UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award (2011, 2015), FIFA World Cup 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal · 2003–2026 · LM
- Rank in Portugal
- #1 of 33
- Caps · Portugal
- 234 · 146 goals
- Clubs
- Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr
- Honours
- 5× Ballon d'Or
The Juventus crowd stood and applauded a Real Madrid player on 3 April 2018, after he rose 2.31 metres in their own stadium and hooked an overhead kick past their goalkeeper. Career record: 234 caps and 146 goals for Portugal; club career at Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr; honours include 5× Ballon d'Or.
The careers, side by side
The two careers belong to different national collections. Read their records before choosing a side.
Duels pit players of the same nation against each other, so fans cannot vote on this pairing directly.