Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Statistical comparison

The most universal topic of debate in the contemporary football world is about who the better footballer is between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sport thrives on rivalries, and it is this one between the spearheads of Barcelona and Real Madrid that has defined the last decade in footballing circles.Also read : Why Lionel Messi's salary is thoroughly well-earned and completely justifiedWhen the inevitable question was once posed to Ronaldo himself, he had said, “You cannot compare a Ferrari with a Porsche because it's a different engine. You cannot compare them. He does the best things for Barcelona, I do the best things for Madrid.”Whatever the man may say, we will make a comparison anyway. Messi exerts more influence on a match, playing more around the centre of the pitch than Ronaldo and bringing in more of his team-mates into attacks. Ronaldo is more comfortable taking solo runs on the wide sides, and he is much better as a finisher than the Argentine. Ronaldo is more athletic of the two and is visibly more professional about taking care of himself. Messi’s balance is second to none, but because of his small size he can be knocked off the ball by more imposing opponents. He, however, seldom executes touches that are cute but ineffectual, something Ronaldo is guilty of sometimes.But the above are all subjective comparisons. What do the numbers say?We have attempted a detailed comparison of the statistics that the two players have gathered over their careers. Statistics of course never tell the whole story, but this is as objective a judgement as any that can be passed upon the million-dollar question.Also read: Is Ronaldo gay? Relationship rumours squashedNote: Stats updated as of 23rd April 2017Messi Vs Ronaldo:

#1 Biographical details and career figures

Details/ PlayerLionel MessiCristiano RonaldoDate of birth24 June 19875 February 1985Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)Weight67 kg (148 lbs)84 kg (186 lbs)Matches693847Total Goals Scored556589Club Appearances576709Club Goals498518International Appearances117138International Goals5871

Also check out: Messi vs Ronaldo complete stats

#2 International record

The international debuts of the two stars, both at 18, were contrasting in nature. Both their careers have proved to be contrary to the kind of expectations the respective introductions would have incited.

Ronaldo’s first appearance in Portuguese colours was a 45-minute cameo in a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan, which passed without incident. Messi’s debut, on the other hand, lasted about two minutes. He was brought on in the second half in a match against Hungary, but was sent off prematurely for elbowing defender Vilmos Vanczak.

Messi had been widely criticized in Argentina for not being able to replicate his Barcelona form for his country, getting to the final of the World Cup and also the Copa America twice –which have been Messi’s greatest achivements with his country as of now. Ronaldo has been instrumental behind three Portuguese campaigns, getting till the semi-finals of World Cup 2006 and Euro 2012 and winning Euro 2016.

YearLionel Messi (Appearances and goals)Cristiano Ronaldo (Appearances and goals)2003 2 (0)2004 16 (7)20055 (0)11 (2)20067 (2)14 (6)200714 6)10 (5)20088 (2)8 (1) – Appointed Captain200910(3)7 (1)201010 (2)11 (3)201113 (4) - Appointed Captain8 (7)20129 (12)13 (5)20137 (6)9 (10)201414 (8)9 (5)20158 (4)5 (3)201611 (8)13 (13)

20171 (1)2 (3)

#3 Club record

The most gripping sub-plot to the classic El Classico rivalry since the 2009-10 season has been the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry. An analysis of their performances in the last five years in the La Liga and Champions League shows how their respective games have evolved, apart from providing figures for comparison between the two.

2009-10

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