The Messi vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup rivalry has captivated football fans for over a decade. While both legends have dominated club football, their performances on the world’s biggest stage offer a different perspective. In this article, we break down their World Cup stats, goals, assists, and achievements — including updates from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification — to find out who truly shined on the international stage.
Messi vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup performance remains a hot topic of debate among football fans and analysts alike. While both players have set unmatched standards in club football, their impact on the international stage is what fuels the greatest rivalry of our time.
Lionel Messi, the 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 5 Ballon d’Ors to his name, are not only the most skilled and iconic goal scorers in football history but also the most beloved figures in the sport.
Both are the most successful players in the FIFA World Cup History, followed by millions and loved by billions, fans are crazy about them. Here are sharing Messi Vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup Performance with all the stats.
Both Messi and Ronaldo are among the most celebrated players in FIFA World Cup history. Followed by millions and loved by billions, their global fanbase continues to grow with every tournament. In the sections below, we present a complete comparison of Messi vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup performance — including detailed stats, records, and highlights from each edition they’ve played.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time in terms of goals, Hat tricks, and Awards. As of April 16, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 933 goals in his club and country career, and Messi has scored over 858 senior career goals.
Wondering who the true GOAT of football is? The head-to-head stats between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo offer some answers. Ronaldo, who reached his 900th career goal in September after a Nations League win against Croatia (2-1), is now chasing the historic 1000-goal mark. His current form with Al Nassr continues to impress. Meanwhile, Messi vs Ronaldo remains football’s greatest rivalry, with both sharing the spotlight, breaking records, and shaping global football for over 18 years.
Since Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the same era, comparisons between them are inevitable. Together, they have won an astonishing 82 major trophies, with Messi securing 48 titles and Ronaldo 34. Between them, they hold 13 Ballon d’Or awards. Messi has won six European Golden Shoes, while Ronaldo has claimed four. In addition, Messi was named the best player in the world a record sixth time. Both superstars have been regular fixtures in the FIFPRO World XI for over a decade, cementing their legacy in world football.
If we look at the World Cup Data, Messi scored 13 times and 8 assists in 26 appearances, while Ronaldo scored 8 times with 2 assists in 22 appearances.
Messi vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup Head-to-Head Stats
Table of Contents
If we look at the World Cup data, Messi scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists in 26 appearances, while Ronaldo scored 8 goals and added 2 assists in 22 matches.
For as long as fans can remember, debates involving the names “Lionel Messi” and “Cristiano Ronaldo” have revolved around one question: who is the true GOAT of this generation? Both players are exceptional passers, brilliant dribblers, natural leaders, and complete team players — and that’s just the beginning.
It’s always challenging to separate greatness when comparing Messi and Ronaldo. While Ronaldo, currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr, has more career goals overall, Messi holds a slight edge in goal-scoring efficiency. When it comes to league titles, Messi leads with 9, compared to Ronaldo’s 7. In terms of individual accolades, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or 8 times, while Ronaldo has claimed it 5 times, combining for 13 awards between 2008 and 2023.
Ronaldo vs Messi 2024-25 Performance
In the ongoing 2024–25 season, Ronaldo has continued his strong form with Al Nassr, scoring X goals and assisting Y. Meanwhile, Messi has impressed with Inter Miami, contributing Z goals and creating several key chances. Both players are still performing at a high level as they edge closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
| Season | Ronaldo | Leo Messi |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 club season stats* | 35 Apps, 4 Assist, 32 Goals | 20 Apps, 4 Assist, 17 Goals |
| 2024 club season stats | 39 Apps, 5 Assist, 36 Goals | 25 Apps, 13 Assist, 23 Goals |
Full Information of – 2025 Ronaldo vs Messi records and *Ronaldo’s 2024-2025 club season stats and Messi’s stats in the same period
Messi Vs Ronaldo Ballon d’Or Awards
- Lionel Messi: 8 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Here is the list of the past 17 Years of Ballon d’Or Awards records history of Ronaldo and Messi. Only 10 players all-time have claimed multiple Ballon d’Or awards.
| Year | Rank | Player | Club | Player | Rank | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2nd | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | Lionel Messi | 3rd | Barcelona |
| 2008 | 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | Lionel Messi | 2nd | Barcelona |
| 2009 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2nd | Real Madrid |
| 2010 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2011 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2nd | Real Madrid |
| 2012 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2nd | Real Madrid |
| 2013 | 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Lionel Messi | 2nd | Barcelona |
| 2014 | 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Lionel Messi | 2nd | Barcelona |
| 2015 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2nd | Real Madrid |
| 2016 | 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Lionel Messi | 2nd | Barcelona |
| 2017 | 1st | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | Lionel Messi | 2nd | Barcelona |
| 2019 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Cristiano Ronaldo | 3rd | Juventus |
| 2021 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 | 1st | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2024 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Club goals
Here is the list of the All-time Club (Excluding friendlies) of Ronaldo vs Messi
| Season | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| 2002-03 | 5 | – |
| 2003-04 | 6 | – |
| 2004-05 | 9 | 1 |
| 2005-06 | 12 | 8 |
| 2006-07 | 23 | 17 |
| 2007-08 | 42 | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 26 | 38 |
| 2009-10 | 33 | 47 |
| 2010-11 | 53 | 53 |
| 2011-12 | 60 | 73 |
| 2012-13 | 55 | 60 |
| 2013-14 | 51 | 41 |
| 2014-15 | 61 | 58 |
| 2015-16 | 51 | 41 |
| 2016-17 | 42 | 54 |
| 2017-18 | 44 | 54 |
| 2018-19 | 28 | 51 |
| 2019-20 | 37 | 31 |
| 2020-21 | 36 | 38 |
| 2021-22 | 24 | 11 |
| 2022-23 | 17 | 21 |
| 2023-24 | 50 | 25 |
| 2024-25 | 33 | 18 |
| Total | 798 | 747 |
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Champions League stats
- Cristiano Ronaldo – POR, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
- Lionel Messi – ARG, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
| Season | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Apps | 183 | 163 |
| Goals | 140 | 129 |
Messi Vs Ronaldo FIFA World Cup Performance
All World Cup Records
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi | |
| Apps | 22 | 26 |
| Goals | 8 | 13 |
| Assist | 2 | 8 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 World Cup | 5 Apps, 1 Assist, 1 Goal | 7 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goal |
| 2018 World Cup | 4 Apps, 0 Assist, 4 Goal | 4 Apps, 0 Assist, 4 Goals |
| 2014 World Cup | 3 Apps, 1 Assist, 1 Goal | 7 Apps, 1 Assist, 4 Goals |
| 2010 World Cup | 4 Apps, 1 Assist, 1 Goal | 5 Apps, 1 Assist, 0 Goal |
| 2006 World Cup | 6 Apps, 0 Assist, 1 Goal | 3 Apps, 1 Assist, 1 Goal |
World Cup Knockouts
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi | |
| Apps | 8 | 12 |
| Goals | 0 | 5 |
| Assist | 0 | 6 |
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers record
Argentina, representing South America, the team has already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup CONMEBOL. Injured Messi to miss Argentina’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Portugal is a European team, but the 2026 FIFA World Cup UEFA qualification has not started yet.
| Team | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Apps | 0 | 9 |
| Goals | 0 | 6 |
Messi vs Ronaldo FIFA Club World Cup Stats and Records
Lionel Messi (left) is the only player to have won two FIFA Club World Cup Golden Balls
| Team | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Winner | 2014, 2016, 2017 | 2009, 2011, 2015 |
| Golden Ball | 2016 | 2009, 2011 |
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: International or National stats
| Season | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Apps | 217 | 191 |
| Goals | 135 | 112 |
| Assist | 37 | 58 |
Ronaldo vs Messi: Individual or Personal Awards
| Season | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
| Ballon d’Or | 5 | 8 |
| The Best FIFA Men’s Player | 2 | 1 |
| European Golden Shoe | 4 | 6 |
| World Cup Golden Ball | 0 | 1 |
The individual battle between Messi and Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup Performance has been the defining feature of modern soccer for the past decade and more.
