Lionel Messi’s Complete Record Against Cristiano Ronaldo: Who Won?
If you have followed football at any point in the last 15 years, you know there is only one debate that truly matters. It isn’t about tactics, and it isn’t about teams. It’s about two men: Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo.
For over a decade, these two titans didn’t just share the stage; they owned it. They traded Ballon d’Or trophies like they were trading cards and turned El Clásico into the most-watched sporting event on the planet. But now that the dust has settled and both legends have moved away from European football, we can finally look at the numbers objectively.
In my experience analyzing football history, fans often let emotion cloud the facts. Today, we are stripping that away. We are looking at Lionel Messi’s complete record against Cristiano Ronaldo to answer the ultimate question: when they stood on the same pitch, who actually came out on top?
The Rivalry at a Glance
If you are in a rush, here is the quick summary of their 36 official competitive meetings (excluding friendly exhibitions):
- Total Matches Played: 36
- Lionel Messi Wins: 16
- Cristiano Ronaldo Wins: 11
- Draws: 9
- Messi Goals: 22
- Ronaldo Goals: 21
- The Verdict: Messi holds the edge in total wins and assists, while the goal-scoring record is incredibly close.
The Head-to-Head Overview
When we talk about the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) debate, head-to-head stats are often the tiebreaker. It is one thing to score hat-tricks against relegation teams; it is another to do it when your biggest rival is standing on the other side of the halfway line.
Across their careers, Messi and Ronaldo faced each other 36 times in official competitions. This includes La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, and international matches between Argentina and Portugal.
Here is the Pro Tip: While Ronaldo is often viewed as the ultimate “big game” goal scorer, the head-to-head numbers actually favor the Argentine.
The Official Stats breakdown:
| Statistic | Lionel Messi | Cristiano Ronaldo |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 36 | 36 |
| Wins | 16 | 11 |
| Goals Scored | 22 | 21 |
| Assists | 12 | 1 |
| Minutes per Goal | 138.5 | 153.9 |
The most glaring difference here isn’t the goals—it is the assists. In my analysis of these games, Messi often dropped deeper to control the midfield, directly setting up 12 goals for teammates. Ronaldo, playing as a pure finisher, recorded only a single assist in these 36 games.
Messi vs Ronaldo Stats: Breaking Down by Competition
To really understand the rivalry, we have to look at where these games were played. The intensity of a Champions League semi-final is very different from a mid-season league game.
1. La Liga (The El Clásico Era)
This is where the rivalry was forged. Between 2009 and 2018, the world stopped twice a year to watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.
- Matches: 18
- Messi Wins: 10
- Ronaldo Wins: 4
- Draws: 4
- Note: This is where Messi did the most damage, winning over 50% of their league encounters.
2. The Champions League Face-Offs
Surprisingly, they only met six times in Europe’s elite competition.
- Matches: 6
- Messi Wins: 2
- Ronaldo Wins: 2
- Draws: 2
- Key Moment: I still remember the 2009 final in Rome. Messi scored a rare header to seal the trophy for Barcelona, a moment that arguably shifted the momentum of their rivalry for years to come.
3. International Stage (Argentina vs. Portugal)
On the international level, matches were rare. They met twice in friendlies—one win for each.
- 2011: Argentina won 2-1 (Messi scored a penalty).
- 2014: Portugal won 1-0 (Neither scored).
The “Last Dance”: Riyadh Season XI vs. PSG
While the official competitive count stands at 36, we cannot ignore the 37th meeting. In January 2023, they met for an exhibition match dubbed “The Last Dance.”
Messi was with PSG, and Ronaldo was leading the Riyadh Season Team. It was a thriller that ended 5-4 to PSG.
- Messi: Scored the opening goal.
- Ronaldo: Scored two goals (one penalty).
If we include this match in the “All-Time” record, Messi moves to 17 wins and 23 goals, while Ronaldo moves to 23 goals as well. It was a fittingly chaotic end to an era of dominance.
Analyzing the Impact: Who is the Real GOAT?
Looking at these numbers, who truly dominated the rivalry?
In my opinion, the stats point to Lionel Messi.
Here is why: While the goal-scoring numbers are almost identical (22 vs. 21 in official games), Messi’s influence on the result was significantly higher. He won five more games than Ronaldo in head-to-head matchups.
Furthermore, the assist statistic (12 vs. 1) proves that while Ronaldo was focusing on finishing moves, Messi was both finishing and creating them.
However, we must give credit to Ronaldo’s resilience. Playing against the prime Barcelona “tiki-taka” era was arguably the hardest challenge in football history. For Ronaldo to snatch 11 wins and score 21 goals against that dominant Barça side is a testament to his greatness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who has more wins in head-to-head games, Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi has more wins. In 36 official matches, Messi has won 16 times, while Cristiano Ronaldo has won 11 times. There have been 9 draws.
Who has scored more goals in matches against each other?
It is incredibly close. In official matches, Messi has scored 22 goals, and Ronaldo has scored 21. If you count their 2023 friendly in Saudi Arabia, they are tied at 23 goals each.
Did Messi and Ronaldo ever play in a World Cup match against each other?
No. Despite playing in five World Cups at the same time (2006–2022), Argentina and Portugal never faced each other in the tournament.
Who has more Ballon d’Or awards?
As of 2024, Lionel Messi holds the record with 8 Ballon d’Or awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 5.
Final Whistle
The debate between Messi and Ronaldo will likely continue forever in pubs and on social media. But when you look strictly at Lionel Messi’s complete record against Cristiano Ronaldo, the numbers paint a clear picture. Messi won more games, provided significantly more assists, and edged out the goal count.
Regardless of who you prefer, we were lucky to witness this rivalry. We may never see two players of this caliber battling it out for so long ever again.
What do you think? Do these stats settle the GOAT debate, or does Ronaldo’s goal-scoring consistency matter more to you? Drop a comment below and let the debate continue!
[External Link Suggestion: Visit UEFA.com for the official Champions League historical records]
