If you haven’t heard, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are very good at soccer. As such, their squads will be teams to watch at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For Argentina, Messi leads the way, while Ronaldo spearheads the Portugal attack.
As Portugal opened their World Cup campaign against Spain, it was Ronaldo’s hat-trick that allowed Portugal to salvage a draw in the Iberian rivaly. Messi, however, endured a pretty ordinary outing during the Group D opener between Argentina and Iceland. Not only did the Argentine miss all his 10 attempts at goal, a missed penalty was a prime example of Messi not being in his elements, at least for the time being.
CR7, The Trickster
Against Spain, Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick in a World Cup. It was his sixth international hat-trick and his 51st for club and country. He joined Brazil’s Pele, West Germany’s Uwe Seeler, and Germany’s Miroslav Klose in the select list of players who have scored goals in four World Cups.
Ronaldo, 33, is now the oldest hat-trick scorer in a World Cup game. The previous oldest was Rob Rensenbrink of the Netherlands. He was 30 when he achieved the feat against Iran in 1978.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi: the rivalry
Cristiano Ronaldo player profile
- Age: 33
- Clubs: Real Madrid (2009-present); Manchester United (2003-09); Sporting Lisbon (2002-03)
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Ballon d’Or wins: 5 (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2008 – at Man Utd)
- The Best Fifa Men’s Player: 2 (2016 and 2017)
- Champions League wins: 2007–08 with Man Utd; 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18 with Real Madrid
Lionel Messi player profile
- Age: 30
- Clubs: Barcelona (2004-present)
- Nationality: Argentine
- Ballon d’Or wins: 5 (2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)
- Champions League wins (with Barcelona): 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
Ronaldo vs. Messi: the statistics
According to the MessivsRonaldo.net website, here’s how the pair compare in terms of goals, hat-tricks and goal ratios as of 16 June:
All-time career (club and country, but excluding club friendlies)
- Ronaldo: 657 goals and 208 assists in 912 appearances
- Messi: 616 goals and 250 assists in 762 appearances
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 51; Messi 47
- Career goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.72; Messi 0.81
Club career (excluding friendlies)
- Ronaldo: 573 goals and 180 assists in 761 appearances
- Messi: 552 goals and 212 assists in 637 appearances
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 45; Messi 41
- Club goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.75; Messi 0.87
International career (friendly and competitive matches)
- Ronaldo: 84 goals and 28 assists in 151 appearances for Portugal
- Messi: 64 goals and 38 assists in 125 appearances for Argentina
- Hat-tricks: Ronaldo 6; Messi 6
- International goal ratio: Ronaldo 0.56; Messi 0.52
- Ronaldo vs. Messi in European football
Statistics according to Uefa.com:
- Champions League goals (group stage to final): Ronaldo 120 (including 15 for Man Utd);
- Messi 100
- Champions League hat-tricks: 7 each
- Both players have scored 60 all-time group stage goals
- Did you know? Ronaldo is the only player to score in three Uefa Champions League finals and the first to score in 11 successive Champions League matches
Ronaldo vs. Messi: trophies won
Ronaldo club honours
- Premier League titles: 3
- FA Cup: 1
- English Football League Cup: 2
- La Liga titles: 2
- Copa del Rey: 2
- Spanish Supercup: 2
- Uefa Champions League: 5
- Uefa Super Cup: 2
- Fifa Club World Cup: 4
- Ronaldo international honours
- Uefa European Championship titles: 1 (2016)
Messi club honours
- La Liga titles: 8
- Copa del Rey: 6
- Spanish Supercup: 6
- Uefa Champions League: 4
- Uefa Super Cup: 3
- Fifa Club World Cup: 3
Messi international honours
- Fifa U-20 World Cup: 1 (2005)
- Olympic Gold Medal: 1 (2008)
When Cristiano Ronaldo was asked if he’s better than Messi… See his reaction here:
That time Cristiano Ronaldo was asked if he’s better than Messi…#BallonDor #RMA #FCB pic.twitter.com/MXWGeEazk1
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 8, 2017
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