Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?

Lionel Messi was born in Argentina, South America, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Portugal, Europe.

Lionel Messi spent 17 years at Barcelona, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo spent 9 years at huge rivals, Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo is 869 days older than Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi has played in the Spain, France and America, whilst Cristiano Ronaldo has played in the Portugal, England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. However, neither have played in the Germany.

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, mainland Argentina, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal located in Madeira which is an island in the Atlantic Ocean.

Lionel Messi has 3 children and Cristiano Ronaldo has 5 children.

Lionel Messi has won 4 Champions League Titles (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015) whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has won 5 (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Lionel Messi has won 8 Ballon d'Ors (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023) whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has won 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).

Lionel Messi has won the award 3 times (2019, 2022, 2023) and Cristiano Ronaldo has also won it twice (2016, 2017).

Lionel Messi has scored 59 career hat-tricks whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 66.

Lionel Messi has scored 129 goals and Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 140 goals.

Lionel Messi has won the award 6 times (2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19) and Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award 4 times (2007/08, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15).

Neither player has won the Golden Boot at the World Cup. Lionel Messi came close in 2022 but lost out by 1 goal to Kylian Mbappé.

Lionel Messi has scored 112 goals for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 136 goals for Portugal.

Lionel Messi has never won the award, although he has finished second 3 times, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo won the award in 2009 for a thunderbolt against Porto.

Lionel Messi has won the Copa América (2021, 2024) and the World Cup (2022) and Cristiano Ronaldo has won the European Championships (2016)

Lionel Messi achieved this feat in both 2008/09 and 2014/15.

Lionel Messi has been sent off 3 times, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent off 12 times

Lionel Messi won 10 titles whereas Cristiano Ronaldo won 2.

Lionel Messi has scored 66 free-kicks in his career, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 64.

Lionel Messi has scored 110 penalties, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 174.

Lionel Messi has scored 2 goals in Champions League Finals (2009, 2011), whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 4 goals (2008, 2014, 2017).

Lionel Messi is sponsored by Adidas, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo is sponsored by Nike.

Lionel Messi won the award in 2005.

Lionel Messi has worn 3 numbers (30, 19, 10), and Cristiano Ronaldo has also worn 3 numbers (28, 7, 9).

Lionel Messi has played under 13 managers, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has played under 19 managers.

Lionel Messi has only ever moved on a free transfer, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m move broke the transfer record at the time.

Lionel Messi won his first Champions League in 2006, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo won the trophy in 2008.

Lionel Messi has won 3 Club World Cups (2009, 2011, 2015), whereas Cristiano Ronaldo has won 4 (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017).

Lionel Messi has never played in the competition, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo played in the 2022/23 edition for Manchester United.