Who has more Ballon d'Or awards, Messi or Ronaldo?

Messi has won 8 Ballon d'Or awards compared to Ronaldo's 5, giving Messi the lead in individual awards.

Who has scored more career goals?

Ronaldo leads with 899 career goals compared to Messi's 838, though Messi has more assists (369 vs 262).

Who won the World Cup?

Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, while Ronaldo has not won the World Cup with Portugal.

Who is the better player overall?

This is subjective. Messi is generally considered the more naturally talented player with better dribbling and vision, while Ronaldo is praised for his athleticism, aerial ability, and remarkable consistency across different leagues.

Messi vs Ronaldo

Updated March 19, 2026

Lionel Messi

Argentine forward with 900+ career goals, 8 Ballon d'Or awards, and 2022 World Cup champion

Fans who value natural talent, creativity, and playmaking

Cristiano Ronaldo

39-year-old Portuguese striker with 20+ years at elite level across five major clubs

Fans who value athleticism, goal-scoring, and determination

Short Answer

Messi is widely regarded as the more naturally gifted player with superior dribbling and playmaking, while Ronaldo is celebrated for his athleticism, goal-scoring consistency, and aerial dominance. Messi has won 8 Ballon d'Or awards to Ronaldo's 5.

Our Verdict

Both are all-time greats. Messi edges it for overall ability and the 2022 World Cup, while Ronaldo's longevity and Champions League record is unmatched. Choose Messi for magic, Ronaldo for power.

Lionel Messi8.3

6.7Cristiano Ronaldo

Choose Lionel Messi if

Fans who value natural talent, creativity, and playmaking

Key Differences at a Glance

🔹

Ballon d'Or Awards: Lionel Messi wins (8 vs 5)

⚽

Career Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo wins (899 vs 838)

🔹

Career Assists: Lionel Messi wins (369 vs 262)

See all 6 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Lionel Messi	Cristiano Ronaldo	Diff
Ballon d'Or Awards	8	5	+60%
Career Goals(goals)	900+	414 goals	+117%
Career Assists(assists)	369

Key Differences

Lionel Messi

Attribute

Cristiano Ronaldo

8🏆

Ballon d'Or Awards

838

Career Goals

899🏆

369🏆

Career Assists

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Last updated: March 19, 2026Human reviewed

Ballon d'Or Awards

Lionel Messi

8🏆

Cristiano Ronaldo

Career Goals

Lionel Messi

838

Cristiano Ronaldo

899🏆

Career Assists

Lionel Messi

369🏆

Cristiano Ronaldo

262

World Cup Titles

Lionel Messi

1🏆

Cristiano Ronaldo

Champions League Titles

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

5🏆

International Goals

Lionel Messi

112

Cristiano Ronaldo

135🏆

Full Comparison

Attribute	Lionel Messi	Cristiano Ronaldo

Ballon d'Or Awards	8	5

Career Goals(goals)	900+	414 goals

Career Assists(assists)	369	260+ assists
Career Assists (Age 28)(assists)	~90 assists	—

Champions League Titles	4	5
World Cup Titles	1	0

Height(cm)	170	187cm

International Goals	112	135

Ballon d'Or Awards(awards)	8	—

FIFA World Cup Titles(titles)	1 (2022)	—
Copa America Titles(titles)	2 (2021, 2024)	—

Direct Free-Kicks Scored(goals)	71	—

International Appearances(caps)	180+	—

Goals for Single Club(goals)	643 (Barcelona)	—
Real Madrid First 90 Games Comparison(performance index)	Benchmark baseline (established standard)	—

Playing Career Span(years)	34 (1992-2026)	—

Games Played(games)	616 games	—

Goals Per Game(ratio)	0.67 goals/game	—
Assists Per Game(ratio)	0.21 assists/game	—
Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game)	0.67	—

Player Height(cm)	187 cm	—
Weight(kg)	79	—

Career Combined Goals + Assists(combined)	541 combined	—

Total Career Goals(goals)	414 goals	—

Career Goals Scored(goals)	890+ goals	—

International Caps(matches)	200+ caps	—
World Cup Tournament Participations(tournaments)	5 (targeting 6th in 2026)	—

Major Trophies Won(trophies)	34	—

Estimated Market Value (2024)(USD Millions)	$50M	—

Peak Career Performance Period(years)	2008-2024 (16 years)	—

Champions League Different Opponents Scored Against(opponents)	38	—

EA FC 26 Finishing Rating(rating points)	90	—
EA FC 26 Positioning Rating(rating points)	88	—
EA FC 26 Dribbling Rating(rating points)	81	—

Market Value (2026)(EUR millions)	Not specified	—

Current Age(years)	39	—

Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points)	85	—

International Goals Scored(goals)	141	—

Current Market Value (2026)(€M)	€60M (estimated)	—

Champions League Titles(titles)	5	—

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ballon d'Or Awards

Career Goals(goals)

900+

414 goals

Career Assists(assists)

369

260+ assists

Career Assists (Age 28)(assists)

~90 assists

—

Champions League Titles

World Cup Titles

Height(cm)

170

187cm

International Goals

112

135

Ballon d'Or Awards(awards)

—

FIFA World Cup Titles(titles)

1 (2022)

—

Copa America Titles(titles)

2 (2021, 2024)

—

Direct Free-Kicks Scored(goals)

—

International Appearances(caps)

180+

—

Goals for Single Club(goals)

643 (Barcelona)

—

Real Madrid First 90 Games Comparison(performance index)

Benchmark baseline (established standard)

—

Playing Career Span(years)

34 (1992-2026)

—

Games Played(games)

616 games

—

Goals Per Game(ratio)

0.67 goals/game

—

Assists Per Game(ratio)

0.21 assists/game

—

Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game)

0.67

—

Player Height(cm)

187 cm

—

Weight(kg)

—

Career Combined Goals + Assists(combined)

541 combined

—

Total Career Goals(goals)

414 goals

—

Career Goals Scored(goals)

890+ goals

—

International Caps(matches)

200+ caps

—

World Cup Tournament Participations(tournaments)

5 (targeting 6th in 2026)

—

Major Trophies Won(trophies)

—

Estimated Market Value (2024)(USD Millions)

$50M

—

Peak Career Performance Period(years)

2008-2024 (16 years)

—

Champions League Different Opponents Scored Against(opponents)

—

EA FC 26 Finishing Rating(rating points)

—

EA FC 26 Positioning Rating(rating points)

—

EA FC 26 Dribbling Rating(rating points)

—

Market Value (2026)(EUR millions)

Not specified

—

Current Age(years)

—

Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points)

—

International Goals Scored(goals)

141

—

Current Market Value (2026)(€M)

€60M (estimated)

—

Champions League Titles(titles)

—

Full Comparison

Attribute	Lionel Messi	Cristiano Ronaldo

Ballon d'Or Awards	8	5

Career Goals(goals)	900+	414 goals

Career Assists(assists)	369	260+ assists
Career Assists (Age 28)(assists)	~90 assists	—

Champions League Titles	4	5
World Cup Titles	1	0

Height(cm)	170	187cm

International Goals	112	135

Ballon d'Or Awards(awards)	8	—

FIFA World Cup Titles(titles)	1 (2022)	—
Copa America Titles(titles)	2 (2021, 2024)	—

Direct Free-Kicks Scored(goals)	71	—

International Appearances(caps)	180+	—

Goals for Single Club(goals)	643 (Barcelona)	—
Real Madrid First 90 Games Comparison(performance index)	Benchmark baseline (established standard)	—

Playing Career Span(years)	34 (1992-2026)	—

Games Played(games)	616 games	—

Goals Per Game(ratio)	0.67 goals/game	—
Assists Per Game(ratio)	0.21 assists/game	—
Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game)	0.67	—

Player Height(cm)	187 cm	—
Weight(kg)	79	—

Career Combined Goals + Assists(combined)	541 combined	—

Total Career Goals(goals)	414 goals	—

Career Goals Scored(goals)	890+ goals	—

International Caps(matches)	200+ caps	—
World Cup Tournament Participations(tournaments)	5 (targeting 6th in 2026)	—

Major Trophies Won(trophies)	34	—

Estimated Market Value (2024)(USD Millions)	$50M	—

Peak Career Performance Period(years)	2008-2024 (16 years)	—

Champions League Different Opponents Scored Against(opponents)	38	—

EA FC 26 Finishing Rating(rating points)	90	—
EA FC 26 Positioning Rating(rating points)	88	—
EA FC 26 Dribbling Rating(rating points)	81	—

Market Value (2026)(EUR millions)	Not specified	—

Current Age(years)	39	—

Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points)	85	—

International Goals Scored(goals)	141	—

Current Market Value (2026)(€M)	€60M (estimated)	—

Champions League Titles(titles)	5	—

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ballon d'Or Awards

Career Goals(goals)

900+

414 goals

Career Assists(assists)

369

260+ assists

Career Assists (Age 28)(assists)

~90 assists

—

Champions League Titles

World Cup Titles

Height(cm)

170

187cm

International Goals

112

135

Ballon d'Or Awards(awards)

—

FIFA World Cup Titles(titles)

1 (2022)

—

Copa America Titles(titles)

2 (2021, 2024)

—

Direct Free-Kicks Scored(goals)

—

International Appearances(caps)

180+

—

Goals for Single Club(goals)

643 (Barcelona)

—

Real Madrid First 90 Games Comparison(performance index)

Benchmark baseline (established standard)

—

Playing Career Span(years)

34 (1992-2026)

—

Games Played(games)

616 games

—

Goals Per Game(ratio)

0.67 goals/game

—

Assists Per Game(ratio)

0.21 assists/game

—

Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game)

0.67

—

Player Height(cm)

187 cm

—

Weight(kg)

—

Career Combined Goals + Assists(combined)

541 combined

—

Total Career Goals(goals)

414 goals

—

Career Goals Scored(goals)

890+ goals

—

International Caps(matches)

200+ caps

—

World Cup Tournament Participations(tournaments)

5 (targeting 6th in 2026)

—

Major Trophies Won(trophies)

—

Estimated Market Value (2024)(USD Millions)

$50M

—

Peak Career Performance Period(years)

2008-2024 (16 years)

—

Champions League Different Opponents Scored Against(opponents)

—

EA FC 26 Finishing Rating(rating points)

—

EA FC 26 Positioning Rating(rating points)

—

EA FC 26 Dribbling Rating(rating points)

—

Market Value (2026)(EUR millions)

Not specified

—

Current Age(years)

—

Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points)

—

International Goals Scored(goals)

141

—

Current Market Value (2026)(€M)

€60M (estimated)

—

Champions League Titles(titles)

—

Messi vs Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Explore Entities

More Sports

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Lionel Messi

Pros

Cons

Cristiano Ronaldo

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Wikipedia

Related Articles

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison