Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Statistical comparison

#4 Injury lay-offs

Both Messi and Ronaldo are now reaching that stage of their career when questions will be asked as to how long they can go on. On the face of it, Ronaldo looks more likely to have a longer career by virtue of his superior professional approach to building and maintaining his physique. How successfully the two can ward off injuries, and how quickly they can recover are vital signs by which their longevity will be measured.

Here is a record of the injuries each player has suffered since April 2013.

MessiHamstring

(14 days)

Hamstring

(14 days)

Torn Muscle

(59 days)

Thigh Muscle Strain (11 days)Knee Ligament Problem

(45 days)

Kidney Problem (3 days)Hamstring

(3 days)

Kidney Stone Surgery

(7 days)

Adductor Muscle Tear

(10 days)

Adductor Problems

(7 days)

Muscle Injury

(21 days)

TOTAL: 194 DaysRonaldoThigh Muscle Strain

(7 days)

Thigh Problems (14 days)Thigh Problems

(32 days)

Thigh Problems

(17 days)

Muscle Fibre Problem

(11 days)

Torn Collateral Ligament

(60 days)

Flu

(4 days)

TOTAL: 145 Days

It is testament to Ronaldo’s superior fitness that he has still managed to miss out on less matches. Messi’s recovery rate is decreasing, after not having missed a game due to injury related reasons till 2013.