The football world divides into two worlds when there is a debate regarding Messi vs Ronaldo. However, this debate has no clear cut outcome or answer. If Messi dominates a chart, Ronaldo hits back with another. Moreover, it is for sure that these two pushes each other to their limits and this is what makes them different from others. In this article, we compare and analyse Messi and Ronaldo's longest goal-scoring streak.

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Lionel Messi (21-game goal-scoring streak)

The name needs no further introduction in today's world whether you are a football fan or not. The boy from Rosario, Argentina has become a household name because of his skills with the ball and unparalleled goal scoring abilities. Certainly, along with many world records, Lionel Messi also holds the record for the longest goal-scoring streak of all time. His 21 match goal-scoring streak remains unmatched in the footballing world. Messi set up this incredible record in the 2012-13 season in the Spanish first division league, Laliga. Although it was a season full of injuries for the Argentine, he still managed to find the net for consecutive 21 league games. His goal-scoring streak started on 11th November 2012 against Mallorca and continued till 5th May 2013 against Real Betis.

However, before scoring in his 20th and 21st games he was out with a hamstring injury for three games. In these 21 games, he scored 33 goals which include 9 Braces and a four-goal haul against Osasuna. He also ended the domestic season with a hamstring injury and was out for the last three games of the season.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Analysing their International goals

Cristiano Ronaldo (11-game goal-scoring streak)

The Portuguese attacker knows no boundaries. Ronaldo, at the age of 33 arrived in Serie A, in search of a new challenge. Certainly, at the age of 35, the legend of the game has equalled the Italian record for the longest goalscoring streak with 16 goals in 11 consecutive league games. Ronaldo set up this incredible record in the 2019-20 season in the Italian first division league, Serie A. Although he is miles apart in this aspect from his Argentine counterpart Lionel Messi, he is still one of the top-10 players with the longest goal-scoring streak. In fact, Ronaldo has managed the same feat in both La Liga and in the Champions League which is quite extraordinary. His goal-scoring streak started on 1st December against Sassuolo and continued till 22nd February 2020 against SPAL.

His first goal of the streak came after he returned from a knee injury and missed a game against Atalanta BC. In these 11 games, he scored 16 goals which include 3 Braces and a hat-trick against Cagliari. Gabriel Batistuta, Jamie Vardy, and Fabio Quagleirella have also scored in 11 consecutive games along with Ronaldo.

Also, Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Messi has now overtaken Ronaldo's free-kick record

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two biggest names in football history. One is the Goal-scoring machine, and the other is the most complete player in football history. They both conquered football and won many trophies and awards. Eventually, both of them failed to conquer some major trophies. Here are all the major trophies which both these legends have not won in their career so far. 

This article will make you decide between the winner of Messi vs Ronaldo debate. 

Major Trophies conquered & failed to win by Cristiano Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo won 35 trophies in his footballing career. He conquered his most major trophies with Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, he has won a few of his major trophies with Juventus FC, Sporting CP and his national team Portugal. But, he also failed to conquer some of the major trophies with clubs like Manchester United, Al Nassr FC, Sporting CP and the Portugal National Team.

Major trophies won by Cristiano Ronaldo: (35 trophies)

The biggest highlight of his career is still winning the UEFA Champions League five times, four times with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United at the start of his career. The famous three-peat with Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018 might not be matched again in football history.

He conquered the FIFA Intercontinental Cup (the old name was FIFA Club World Cup) once with Manchester United (2008) and thrice with Real Madrid (2014, 2016 & 2017).  The Manchester United legend won the FA Cup (1x 2004), the English Premier League 3 times (2007, 2008, 2009), 2-time English League Cup (2006, 2009) & the English Super Cup (2008) with Manchester United.

Read Also | 10 players who have won the most trophies in football history

With Real Madrid, he conquered the UEFA Super Cup 3 times (2015, 2017, 2018), the Spanish Super Cup twice (2013, 2018), the La Liga title 2 times (2012, 2017), 2 times Spanish Cup Winner (2011, 2014). 

Read Also | Cristiano Ronaldo's UEFA Euro Stats and Records

Ronaldo won some major trophies with Juventus FC including the Italian Championship 2 times (2019 & 2020), twice Italian Super Cup (2019 & 2021) and the Italian Cup once in 2021. Additionally, he won the Portuguese Super Cup (2003) with Sporting CP.

Moreover, he won the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019. 

Major trophies that Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to win:

Despite being one of the most successful footballers ever, even a player like Ronaldo has not won 9 trophies he has played in his career. At the start of his career with Sporting CP, he failed to win LIGA Portugal and Taça de Portugal. With Manchester United, in his two spells at the club, he only failed to win the Europa League.

Read Also | Cristiano Ronaldo's stats at Al-Nassr: Goals, Glamour But No Trophies

In his recent days with Al Nassr FC, he failed to win the ROSHN League, AFC Champions League, Saudi Super Cup and the Saudi King's Cup. Moreover, his biggest dream of winning the FIFA World Cup with Portugal has not been fulfilled yet as well. 

Major Trophies conquered & failed to win by Lionel Messi:

Lionel Messi, the most successful football player in history, has won 46 trophies in his footballing career. He conquered most of his trophies with FC Barcelona and won some trophies with Paris Saint-Germain and obviously, with Argentina. However, he also failed to conquer some of his major trophies with Inter Miami FC & Paris Saint-Germain. Also, he holds a record for being the most decorated player in the world.

Major trophies won by Lionel Messi: (46)

His major trophies are the FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa America (2021, 2024), U-20 World Cup (1x,2005), Olympic Gold Medal (1x, 2008) & CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions (1x, 2022) with the Argentine National Team.

He won the UEFA Champions League four times (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015), La Liga ten times (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), FIFA Club World Cup (3x, 2012, 2016, 2017), Spanish Cup seven times (2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021), Spanish Super Cup eight times (2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019) and UEFA Super Cup thrice (2010, 2012, 2016)  with his boyhood club FC Barcelona.

However, Messi conquered some major trophies in the French league with the Paris Saint-Germain French Championship (2x, 2022 & 2023) & French Super Cup (1x, 2023) & in Major League Soccer with the Inter Miami Supporter’s Shield (1x, 2024) & Leagues Cup (1x, 2023).

Major trophies that Lionel Messi has failed to win:

Lionel Messi has a tag called Most Decorated Player in Football history, the reason for this tag is that Messi has the most number of trophies. However, he also failed to conquer some major trophies. Most of them are with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS Cup & CONCACAF Champions Cup) & the other one is with Paris Saint-Germain (COUPE De France)

Messi vs Ronaldo: Who is the greatest?

Between Ronaldo and Messi fans, it has been always a debate for decades that who is the greatest of all time. But since 2022 after the greatest World Cup campaign conquered by Lionel Messi, the Argentine great might have taken over Ronaldo. 

The greatness of both of them is just unbelievable, we can’t measure their greatness by the number of trophies. Yes, trophies are the most valuable part of a successful career, but the truth is what they did for their country and for the clubs where they played, how they dominated football for more than a decade is enough to declare that they both are the greatest of the modern era.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have revolutionized football with their goalscoring and match winning abilities in the last two decades. Messi, the Argentine legend has won the most trophies in football history while Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend has scored the most official goals in football history. The Messi vs Ronaldo: Who is the G.O.A.T debate has been going on there since both of them dominated every record in football history. 

As they both are completey unique, has a different flair and style to their game, it is really hard to choose between them from a subjective point of view. Thus, there is always a chance of being biase to a specific style or player. That is why we have brought in the statistical overview of the Messi vs Ronaldo debate to choose who is the 'Greatest of all time."

Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored more goals?

Let's start with the basic thing; Goalscoring. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history. Scoring 50+ goals in a season used to be fun for both the legends. Messi, who started his career with FC Barcelona created the record for the most goals scored in a calender year when he scored 91 goals in 2012. On the other hand, Ronaldo and Messi crossed the 50+ goals mark in a calender year a total 17 times (Messi 9, Ronaldo 8).

Here is a comparison between Messi and Ronaldo in terms of Career Goals.

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Who has playeed more matches and more minutes? 

Well, Cristiano Ronaldo has played 1236 compettive matches while Lionel Messi has played 1069 matches so far in his career. Ronaldo has played 100,846 minutes while Messi has played 87,827 minutes including his club and international career.

Who is more effiecient in scoring goals?

Though Cristiano Ronaldo is ahead of interms of scoring the more goals, Lionel Messi is the more proven to be more effective as a goalscorer if we take the minutes/goal or goals/match into consideration. Howevver, you have to take in consideration that in his early days, Ronaldo used to be a winger and later became the goal machine he is known for.

The above stat suggests that Lionel Messi has a better Goals per game record that Cristiano Ronaldo. Moreover, he peeps Ronaldo on the minutes/goal stat as well.

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Who is better goal scorer at club level?

Lionel Messi spent 18-seasons with FC Barcelona before making a move to PSG due to Barcelona's delicate financial situation in 2021. However, after playing only two seasons with he club, he made a move to Inter Miami in 2023. Messi is the leading goal scorer in La Liga history with 474 goals and is also scored a record 672 goals for FC Barcelona in his club career.

On the other hand, Ronaldo found success at every club he has player for. In fact, he is the only player to score more than 100+ goals in three different top five European leagues in the world. He is the top scorer for Real Madrid with 450 goals and scored more than 100 goals for Manchester United and Juventus as well.

Known as Mr. Champions League, Cristiano is the highest goal scorer in UEFA Champions League history with 140 goals.

The club record also shows how consistent Ronaldo has been throughout is long club career and remained on the pitch for a stunning 1023 club games. However, it is Messi again who has been more efficient scoring the goals if we take Messi's 99 minutes per goal record in his club career.

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Who is the better goalscorer in Leagues?

Lionel Messi has been prolific in the football leagues he has played for scoring 509 goals in just 596 matches at 95 minutes per goal rate. Meantime, Ronaldo has taken 700 league matches to reach 549 goals at 103 minutes per goal rate.

Read Also | Top 5 Players who have missed the most penalties in their career 

Who is better goalscorer in UEFA Champions League?

There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best-ever to play in the UEFA Champions League with 140 goals in 183 matches, winning five trophies. 

Meantime, Lionel Messi has the better goal scoring rate than Ronaldo in UCL with 129 goals in 163 matches. 

Who has scored more hat-tricks?

In terms of hat-tricks scored in their careers, Cristiano Ronlaod is ahead by a long tha Lionel Messi. Ronaldo till now has scored 66 hat-tricks in his career and Messi has 57 against his name. Ronaldo has 56 hat-tricks for clubs and 10 for Portugal. Meantime, Messi has 48 club and 9 international hat-tricks. 

Though Ronaldo has more number of hat-tricks, Messi has more non-penalty hat-tricks (hat-tricks without a penalty goal). With respect of Ronaldo's 34 non-penalty hat-tricks, Messi has 45 non-penalty hat-tricks.

Ronaldo till now has scored a hat-trick in every 18.7 games while Messi has scored a hat-trick in every 18.8 games. 

Read Also | Messi vs Ronaldo: The hat-trick battle

Free-kicks, Penalties, Left-foot, Right-foot and Headers and More

Read Also | Top 10: Most Free-kick Goals In Football History (Updated)

Messi vs Ronaldo: The Assist Battle

No one in football history has provided more assists in football history. As per transfermarkt, Messi has a whooping 413 assists in his career while Ronaldo has 285 assists in his career so far. Although there have some mismatch with the data of total assists of both these players, Sportz Point considers transfermarket's data to be factual.

In terms of goal contributions, Messi has a sublime record of 70.2 mins per contribution in his career whereas Ronaldo has a career goal contribution rate of 85.1 mins/G+A.

Read Also | 10 players with the Most Assists in football history (Club + Country) 

Messi vs Ronaldo: World Cup stats

Perhaps, this might be the stat that gives Lionel Messi a slight edge of Cristiano Ronaldo after the Argentine won the FIFA World Cup 2022. Messi has taken Argentina to two World Cup finals and won once. Meantime, Cristiano failed to fullfil his dream with Portugal.

In five World Cups, Messi played 26 games and scored 13 goals while Ronaldo played 22 games and scored 8 times in the same number of World Cups.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has won the most trophies

Lionel Messi is the most successful footballer in terms of trophies in football hisotry. The little magician from Argentina has won a record 45 trophies in his career. Meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo comes at number 8 on the list of players with most trophies in football history with 35 trophies to his name.

Read Also | 10 players who have won the most trophies in football history 

Ballon d'Or battle

Just like the trophies, none in football history has won more Ballon d'Or awards than Lionel Messi. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner won a record 8 Ballon d'Ors while Cristiano Ronaldo won the award 5 times in his career.

From 2008 to 2017, for a straight 10 years no one except for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or award. That is how dominating Messi and Ronaldo were during their prime.

The Ultimate G.O.A.T Comparison

The people often call out about the hype and competitiveness of La Liga after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. But it was not like this before. The Spanish top-division football league was considered the best in the World. Scoring goals is the most glamorous skill in football. Those who consistently find the back of the net can earn legendary status in the game. So, it's time we look at the top players who have scored the most goals in a single La Liga season.

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Most Goals in a La Liga season

5. Lionel Messi (2014-15) - 43 goals

Lionel Messi was on fire during the 2014-15 season. He scored 43 goals and provided 21 assists in 38 La Liga appearances in that season. He dominated the opposition sides and was at his peak. Across all competitions in the 2014- 15 season, Messi scored 58 goals and provided 31 assists. Barcelona won the continental treble that season and Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or. With a G+A tally of 89 from 57 matches, the little boy from Rosario finished first at the Podium.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo (2011-12) - 46 goals

Real Madrid beat Barcelona to the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season and the main credit goes to Cristiano Ronaldo's heroics. The Portuguese international scored goals regularly. In 38 appearances in La Liga, Ronaldo scored 46 goals and provided 12 assists. Real Madrid got 100 points that season and lost just two games in La Liga. In 55 matches across all competitions, Ronaldo scored 60 goals and provided 15 assists.

3. Lionel Messi (2012-13) - 46 goals

Messi won the Pichichi trophy in back-to-back seasons and it was Messi's turn to lead his side to the La Liga title this time. The Argentine sensation scored 46 goals and provided 13 assists from just 32 appearances in the 2012-13 season to finish at the top. He netted 60 times and provided 17 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. The Blaugranas finished the season with 100 points and had 15 points more than their rivals Real Madrid.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (2014-15) - 48 goals

Messi was denied the Pichichi trophy in the 2014-15 season despite scoring 40+ goals as Ronaldo finished with 48 goals from 35 appearances. Across all competitions, The CR7 scored 61 goals and provided 23 assists from 54 appearances. However, Real Madrid did not win any major titles that season. They finished second in the La Liga title race, just two points behind eventual winners Barcelona. 

1. Lionel Messi (2011-12) - 50 goals

Lionel Messi broke the record for most goals scored by an individual in a single calendar year, with 91 goals in 2012. No one in the entire world could do anything against the little guy. At the age of 24, Leo became the top scorer in Barcelona's history, overtaking Cesar Rodriguez's tally of 232 goals. In 37 La Liga appearances, Lionel Messi scored 50 goals and provided 20 assists in the 2011-12 season. Across all competitions, he scored 73 goals and provided 34 assists from 60 appearances. Messi also won the Ballon d'Or that year and no one came close to him.

10 | Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe will forever be remembered as for his hattrick in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. The PSG and France superstar has scored a total of 16 hattricks in his football career.

09 | Harry Kane

The English captain amassed 17 hattricks in his prolific career. Currently playing for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, the attacker is vying to break German goalscoring records.

08 | Zlatan Ibrahimovich

He is undoubtedly one of the most dominating strikers in the past 20 years. The Swedish legend has terrorized opponents during his time and scored an amazing 17 goals.

07 | Sergio Aguero

Sergio Kun Aguero, Manchester City legend is one of the best marksmen in the football history. He has amassed an amazing 18 hattricks in his career.

06 | Mario Gomez

The German striker was one of the most prominent attackers in Bundesliga. He has 18 hattricks in his career.

05 | Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland has taken football world by storm ever since his days in Dortmund. At just 23 years of the age the City Centre forward is already has the fifth most hattricks in football history.

04 | Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez has been one of the best strikers in football history. Thanks to his exploits with Liverpool, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. He has the fourth most hattricks in history with 29.

03 | Robert Lewandowski

The Polish goalscoring machine holds the record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season. He is in the third position with 30 hattricks.

02 | Lionel Messi

The World Cup winning captain with Argentina considered to be arguably the greatest player in football history has the second most hattricks with 58.

Considered one of the greatest players ever alongside with Lionel Messi, the Portuguese has scored the most hattricks in football history with 64.