Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi is a debate that has captivated football fans for over a decade. Their records, achievements, and impact on the game have been compared in every possible way. Now veterans in the sport, the discussion continues, especially when looking at their performances in recent years.
The two players are currently at different stages of their careers, with Messi playing in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo continues to compete in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. Despite their age, they remain prolific, as shown by their statistics over their last 100 appearances for club and country.
Ronaldo’s last 100 appearances date back to August 2023. He scored twice in the Arab Club Champions Cup final against Al Hilal, securing his only title since moving to Saudi Arabia in early 2023. Now at 40 years old, Ronaldo has expressed his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals, maintaining his goal-scoring form despite playing in a less competitive league.
Over his last 100 matches, Ronaldo has netted 89 goals, maintaining an almost goal-per-game ratio. His role has changed significantly since his days as a left-winger at Manchester United and Real Madrid. Now playing primarily as a No. 9, his main focus is scoring rather than creating opportunities for teammates. This shift is reflected in his assist numbers, which have dropped significantly registering just 21 in the same period.
Messi, on the other hand, has scored 15 fewer goals over his last 100 appearances compared to Ronaldo. However, he has been more efficient in scoring non-penalty goals, averaging one every 120 minutes, slightly better than Ronaldo’s 128-minute average. Messi’s playmaking ability continues to shine, contributing 42 assists over the same period twice as many as Ronaldo.
A significant portion of Ronaldo’s goals have come from the penalty spot, scoring 21 out of the 24 penalties he has taken. In contrast, Messi has scored just 5 penalties from 6 attempts. Free-kicks remain a valuable weapon for both players, with Messi scoring 6 and Ronaldo scoring 4 in the last 100 matches.
Messi’s last 100 appearances stretch back to October 2022, during his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Since then, he has continued to collect silverware, winning five trophies, including the 2022 World Cup, the 2024 Copa America, and Inter Miami’s first-ever major title—the 2023 Leagues Cup. He also helped secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield after his first full season in the United States.
Ronaldo, in comparison, has won just one trophy in this period. His contributions to Al Nassr have been remarkable in terms of goals, but they have not translated into multiple titles.
Comparing their overall contributions, Messi has been involved in more goals per match through his balance of goals and assists. His minutes-per-goal-or-assist ratio is superior at 71, compared to Ronaldo’s 78. However, Ronaldo has maintained a higher goal-scoring rate, with a goal every 98 minutes compared to Messi’s 112.
Here’s how their records stack up over their last 100 games:
Lionel Messi’s last 100 games:
- Goals: 74
- Assists: 42
- Penalties scored (taken): 5/6 (83%)
- Free-kicks: 6
- Hat-tricks: 3
- Minutes per goal: 112
- Minutes per non-penalty goal: 120
- Minutes per goal or assist: 71
- Trophies Won: 5 (2022 World Cup, 2024 Copa America, 2023-24 Ligue 1, 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s last 100 games:
- Goals: 89
- Assists: 21
- Penalties scored (taken): 21/24 (87%)
- Free-kicks: 4
- Hat-tricks: 4
- Minutes per goal: 98
- Minutes per non-penalty goal: 128
- Minutes per goal or assist: 78
- Trophies Won: 1 (2023 Arab Club Champions Cup)
While the debate continues, the numbers show how both players have adapted their games as they age. Ronaldo remains an elite goal-scorer, while Messi’s overall influence and creativity give him an edge in terms of all-round contribution. The discussion over who is the greatest of all time will likely persist long after both legends retire.
