Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: A Legendary Rivalry in Numbers

The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the most thrilling in the history of football, with both players amassing over 1700 goals and 80 titles between them. Their rivalry has transcended club and international football, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations. But how many times did these two superstars face off in direct competition?

The two icons met on the pitch 37 times, from their first Champions League clash in 2008 to a friendly in 2023. The majority of their encounters took place in Spain's iconic El Clásico, where they faced off 30 times while representing Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. They also met twice in international matches, further adding to the significance of their rivalry.

Messi's Edge Over Ronaldo

Of their 37 encounters, Lionel Messi emerged victorious in 17, while Cristiano Ronaldo won 11 times, and there were 9 draws. The majority of these games occurred during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Messi enjoying the upper hand overall.

In El Clásico, Messi claimed 14 wins compared to Ronaldo's 8, with 8 draws. Both players have also had their moments in the Champions League, each winning two titles. When it comes to finals across all competitions, Ronaldo has a slight edge, having won 3 compared to Messi’s 2. In terms of goals, the two are almost identical, each scoring 23, but Messi leads significantly in assists with 12 compared to Ronaldo's solitary assist. Lastly, in the two friendlies between their national teams, each player secured one win.

• Total Encounters: Messi and Ronaldo faced each other 37 times in official and friendly matches.
• Head-to-Head Record: Messi won 17 times, Ronaldo 11, and 9 games ended in a draw.
• El Clásico: Messi claimed 14 victories in the legendary Spanish rivalry, with 8 wins for Ronaldo and 8 draws.
• Champions League: Both players have won two titles each in Europe's premier club competition.
• Finals: Ronaldo has a slight advantage in finals, winning 3 compared to Messi's 2.
• Goals and Assists: Both players scored 23 goals, but Messi boasts 12 assists compared to Ronaldo’s 1.
• International Friendlies: Each player won one match when their national teams met.