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Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025

One of the most debated topics in soccer history is the comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar regarding their performances and who is considered the best footballer in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr FC, Lionel Messi is a star at Inter Miami, and Neymar is a forward for the Brazilian club Santos. All three players are widely regarded as some of the best in the sport and are among the most valuable players in the soccer world.

Having won a combined 13 Ballon d’Or/FIFA Ballon d’Or awards (8 for Messi and 5 for Ronaldo), both are widely regarded as the two best players of their generation and among the best of all time in the sport. Messi created history as he became the first-ever MLS-based player to win the coveted prize.

The all-time hot topic of debate in the football world is who the top footballer, skilled player is between Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi’s achievements. Ronaldo, 40, previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Messi finished second in the voting while Neymar, who joined Paris St Germain in a world-record transfer deal in 2021, was third and now returns to boyhood club Santos after ending his contract with Al Hilal. Ronaldo becomes 1st player to reach 938 + career goals.

Inter Miami CF legend Messi left the PSG club on 15 July 2023. Before joining PSG FC, he won a club-record 34 trophies with Barcelona. Messi has won the world’s best men’s player of the year three times (2019, 2022 and 2023). He helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.

Neymar came into prominence at Santos, where he made his professional debut at age 17. Since then, he has scored 79 goals in 126 matches for Brazil (2010 to the end of April 2025), making him Brazil’s all-time highest goal scorer in FIFA history.

Ronaldo has 938th goals compared to Messi’s 865, whereas Neymar has only 440 goals in both Clubs and the National Team. 

Neymar has scored at least 100 goals for three different clubs (Santos, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain). Neymar scored his 118th goal for PSG in his 173rd appearance for the club, moved to Al Hilal, and is now playing for Santos.

Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi in their club career (800 vs 753). Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead the way for Champions League goals. Ronaldo is the UEFA Champions League top scorer of all time with 140 goals in 183 Apps, and Messi is the second player to reach 129 goals in 163 games in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025

Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar

Neymar is the most expensive transfer in football history from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain with €222 million in 2017. The last transfer records him as the most expensive purchase in the Saudi Pro League by Neymar Jr. from PSG to Al Hilal. Now, it is part of Santos FC.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the 10th and 13th most expensive deal in football history and the most expensive deal in Italian clubs in 2018. His transfer from Man Utd to Real Madrid was €94 million in 2009, and the 2018 most expensive transfer from Real Madrid to Juventus was €100 million

He is the first footballer and the third sportsman to earn $1 billion in his career. The other two athletes who achieved this feat are Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather. Lionel Messi, who is also the second footballer to reach this milestone and the Fourth Billion-Dollar Sportsman.

Find the comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi, vs Neymar.

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025

MatchesRonaldo (Al Nassr)Messi (Inter Miami)Neymar (Santos)
All Competition (For Club)22 Apps, 1 Assist, 19 Goals21 Apps, 5 Assist, 15 Goals14 Apps, 3 Assists, 3 Goals
League18 Apps, 1 Assist, 15 Goals13 Apps, 5 Assist, 10 Goals4 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Continental  Championships
( Champions League )
4 Apps, 0 Assists, 4 Goals7 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals3 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition
(Club World Cup, etc)
0 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals1 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals7 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goal
 Club and Country26 Apps, 1 Assist, 22 Goals23 Apps, 5 Assist, 15 Goals14 Apps, 3 Assists, 3 Goals

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2024-25

Ronaldo’s 2024-25 club season goals and apps. Messi and Neymar’s goals and stats in the same period. Generally MLS and

MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition (For Club)41 Apps, 4 Assist, 35 Goals31 Apps, 6 Assist, 24 Goals2 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Club League30 Apps, 3 Assist, 25 Goals19 Apps, 4 Assist, 16 Goals2 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Continental  Championships
(Champions League/ MSL Cup)
8 Apps, 0 Assists, 8 Goals9 Apps, 0 Assists, 8 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition
(Domestic Super Cup, etc)
3 Apps, 1 Assist, 2 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
 Club and Country50 Apps, 5 Assist, 43 Goals33 Apps, 8 Assist, 25 Goals2 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal

Club and Country Calendar Year Goal 2024

Messi:  36 Apps, 18 Assists, 29 Goals
Ronaldo:  51 Apps, 7 Assists, 43 Goals
Neymar:  2 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2023-24

MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition
(For Club)
50 Apps, 13 Assist, 51 Goals29 Apps, 16 Assists, 25 Goals5 Apps, 1 Assist, 3 Goals
Club League31 Apps, 11 Assist, 35 Goals18 Apps, 13 Assist, 11 Goals3 Apps, 0 Assists, 3 Goals
Continental  Championships
( UEFA Champions League/AFC Champions League / CONCACAF Champions Cup)
9 Apps, 2 Assist, 6 Goals1 Apps, 2 Assist, 0 Goal2 Apps, 1 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition
(Domestic Super Cup, etc.)
10 Apps, 0 Assists, 9 Goals11 Apps, 5 Assists, 12 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal

Club and Country Cleander Year Goal 2023

Messi: 42 Apps, 12 Assists, 28 Goals
Ronaldo: 43 Apps, 11 Assists, 46 Goals

2022-23 Season

MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition (For Club)34 Apps, 4 Assist, 16 Goals41 Apps, 20 Assists, 21 Goals29 Apps, 18 Assist, 18 Goals
Club League24 Apps, 2 Assist, 14 Goals32 Apps, 16 Assist, 16 Goals20 Apps, 11 Assist, 13 Goals
3 Apps, 2 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goals7 Apps, 4 Assist, 4 Goals6 Apps, 2 Assist, 3 Goals
Other Competition
(Domestic Super Cup, etc)
9 Apps, 2 Assist, 2 Goals2 Apps, 0 Assists, 1 Goal3 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goals
World Cup
(Qatar World Cup 2022)
4 Apps, 1 Goal8 Apps, 8 Goals3 Apps, 2 Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi 2022-23

2021-22 Season

Ronaldo led the table with 24 goals in 38 Apps in the 2021-22 Season
MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition 38 Apps, 3 Assist, 24 Goals33 Apps, 14 Assist, 10 Goals22 Apps, 8 Assists, 13 Goals
League30 Apps, 3 Assist, 18 Goals25 Apps, 14 Assist, 5 Goals22 Apps, 6 Assists, 13 Goals
UEFA Champions League6 Apps, 0 Assists, 6 Goals7 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals6 Apps, 2 Assists, 0 Goals
Other Competition2 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals1 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goals0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
WC Qualification

Friendlies

9 Apps, 1 Assist, 6 Goals15 Apps, 0 Assist, 7 Goals

1 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals

10 Apps, 8 Assist, 8 Goal

2 Apps, 0 Assist, 3 Goals

2020-21 Season

In the 2020-21 season, Messi led the table with 47 goals in 38 appearances
MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition44 Apps, 4 Assist, 36 Goals47 Apps, 14 Assist, 38 Goals31 Apps, 11 Assists, 17 Goals
League33 Apps, 2 Assist, 29 Goals35 Apps, 11 Assist, 30 Goals17 Apps, 6 Assists, 9 Goals
UEFA Champions League6 Apps, 2 Assist, 4 Goals6 Apps, 2 Assist, 5 Goals9 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals
Other Competition5 Apps, 3 Assists, 0 Goals6 Apps, 3 Assist, 1 Goal4 Apps, 2 Assist, 2 Goal

2019/20 Season

In the 2019-20 season, Ronaldo led the table with 37 goals in 46 appearances
MatchesRonaldoLeo MessiNeymar
All Competition46 Apps, 10 Assist, 37 Goals44 Apps, 25 Assists, 31 Goals27 Apps, 12 Assist, 19 Goals
League31 Apps, 5 Assist, 31 Goals33 Apps, 21 Assists, 25 Goals15 Apps, 6 Assist, 13 Goals
UEFA Champions League8 Apps, 0 Assists, 4 Goals8 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goals7 Apps, 4 Assist, 3 Goals
Other Competition5 Apps, 0 Assists, 2 Goals3 Apps, 1 Assist, 3 Goals5 Apps, 3 Assists, 2 Goals

Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar are the world’s greatest footballers, but who’s the best on the ground? Compare goals, assists, and honours for Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2018

Lionel Messi || Inter Miami CF || Argentine

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami, the top division of United States football, and the Argentina National team. The Argentine superstar has consistently scored more than 50 goals in a calendar year, with his best figure being 69 goals in 2013. The goal machine Lionel Messi’s record is 91 goals in a year.

Messi wins his 8th Ballon d’Or. His numbers this year are once again truly extraordinary. He’s head and shoulders the best player in world football. According to France Football, Messi was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014.

He captained the Argentina squad to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2024 Copa América, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

He is the second-highest-paid footballer at £7.3 million ($9.5m) a month before tax (where PSG assumes $75M as salary). Lionel Messi’s Net Worth made him 2nd second-highest-earning footballer. Lionel Messi’s player profile is below.

Messi Records and Achievements
Lionel Messi: Appearances and goals by Competition, season, and Apps
As of the match played on 03 June 2025
CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Barcelona C52003-0410
Barcelona B112003-0532
La Liga (Barcelona)4742003-21520
Continental (UEFA Champions League)1202003-21149
National Cup (Copa del Rey, Coupe de France)562003-2180
Other (Super Copa, Super Cup, etc)222003-2129
PSG (Ligue 1 + Other)322021-202375
Inter Miami CF492023-current60
Total7532003-current913
Lionel Messi (Argentina): National team, year, and competition
 CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Argentina U20142004-0518
Argentina U23220085
Argentina1122005-current193
Total1282004-current215

Lionel Messi FIFA World Cup stats

At the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi is set to join just one of a handful of footballers to have played in five different editions of the tournament.

Games played26
Goals13
Assists8

Cristiano Ronaldo || Al-Nassr FC || Portugal

The Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the Portugal national team and plays as a forward for the UAE’s Football Club Al-Nassr FC. He is one of the world’s top players, the best footballer in the world. He is the most famous sportsman in football history. Ronaldo also holds the record for most overall Champions League appearances, having overtaken Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, with 140 goals, and he also holds the record for the most international appearances, with 214 caps and counting!

Since 2011, Ronaldo has scored over 50 goals in 6 calendars (in the Serie A, La Liga, and Premier League) and 24 goals in 38 matches in 2021-22. He has also become the fastest player to reach 50 Serie A goals (in 61 games). His name was the highest-paid footballer. The Portuguese superstar is set to make $125m in the 2021-22 season before taxes.

The last big tournament was UEFA Euro 2024, which was held in Germany. France beat Portugal in a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024. Portugal’s National Team was the defending champion of UEFA Euro 2016.

Ronaldo still has more all-time career goals than Messi and Neymar.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr Stats
Ronaldo (Al-Nassr FC):  Appearances and goals by Competition, season, and Apps
As of the match played on 28 May 2025
CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Sporting CP (Segunda Divisão B)02003-092
Sporting CP (Primeira Liga)52003-0931
Premier League (Manchester United)1182003-09291
La Liga (Real Madrid)4382009-18450
Serie A (Juventus)1012018-2022134
Premier League (Manchester United)272021-2354
Saudi Pro League (Al Nassr)992022-Current111
Total8002003-current1,060
The senior career with all football Clubs, seasons, and competitions
As of the match played on 09 June 2025
CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Portugal U15720019
Portugal U1752001–20027
Portugal U20120025
Portugal U2132002-200310
Portugal U23220043
Portugal1382004-current221
Total Career (Portugal)1552001-current255

Neymar Jr || Santos || Brazil

One of Brazil’s Football players and PSG’s most valuable player was Neymar or Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Brazilian club Santos. After 700 games, Neymar has more assists than Messi and more goal contributions than Ronaldo at the same point in his career.

Neymar was the world’s fourth most famous athlete in 2016, one of the world’s top three players, and the world’s most prominent sportsman. The most expensive Footballers deals in the World is held by Neymar. Paris Saint-Germain was the 4th most-paid footballer now, with total earnings of around £2.7 million a month.

Neymar Jr Série A team Santos

Club

At the start of his career with Santos. His impressive record of 136 goals in 225 matches for Santos his Barcelona transfer in 2013. Neymar plays for PSG, but he was not involved in the club’s first Ligue 1 game in 2023/2024 due to the player rupturing his ACL. Neymar set for Saudi move after Al Hilal agrees near-$100M transfer fee with PSG. Now, Neymar, eyeing the 2026 World Cup, announces his return to Brazil’s Santos. He is playing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification.

Neymar (Santos):  Appearances and Goals by Competition, Season, and Apps
(Updated: Last Match Santos vs Botafogo – 02 June)
CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Paulista A1 (Santos)1362009-13225
La Liga (Barcelona)1052013-17186
Paris Saint-Germain1182017-23173
Al Hilal012023–2507
Paulista A1 (Santos)03202512
Total363Career Total603

FIFA’s International Matches

Messi vs Neymar vs Ronaldo Records and Achievements
The senior career with International competition
CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Brazil792010-current128
Continental Championship and Domestic Leagues & Cups
 CompetitionGoalsSeasonApps
Continental582009 – current112
State league

National cup

League cup
67

36

03
83

46

06
Other0917

European Golden Shoe Awards

European Golden Shoe Award Ronaldo vs Messi Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025
Messi’s 
6 Times
Ronaldo’s
4 Times
Neymar
0 Time
2009-10: 34 goals
2011-12: 50 goals
2012-13: 46 goals
2016-17: 37 goals
2017-18: 34 goals
2018-19: 36 goals
2007-08: 31 goals
2010-11: 40 goals
2013-14: 31 goals (shared with Luis Suarez)
2014-15: 48 goals
Not won

Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar Awards List

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar Awards List
PlayerBest Awards
 Cristiano RonaldoBallon d’Or – 5 times
FIFA World Player of the Year – 5 times
Europe Golden Shoes – 4 times
FIFA FIFPro World11,
FIFA The Best Special Award: 2021,
UEFA Euros Golden Boot – 1 time
UEFA Euros Silver Boot – 1 time
Capocannoniere: 2020-21
Puskás Award – 2009

UEFA Nations League Finals Team of the Tournament,

Serie A Team of the Year,
Serie A Most Valuable Player,
PFA Portuguese Player of the Year,
2024 Best Special Award of UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer
Lionel MessiFIFA FIFPro World 11 nominees – 2015 and 2017
The Golden Ball Award for the Best Player
South American Footballer of the Year -2 (2011, 2012)
FIFA Puskás Award: 2011
Samba Gold: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022
Olympic Gold – 2016, Confederations Cup – 2013
NeymarFIFA FIFPro World 11 nominees – 2015 and 2017
Golden Ball Award for the Best Player
South American Footballer of the Year -2 (2011, 2012)
FIFA Puskás Award: 2011
Samba Gold: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022
Olympic Gold – 2016, Confederations Cup – 2013
Messi vs Neymar vs Ronaldo 2018-19
PlayerAwards 2018-25
 Cristiano RonaldoThe Best (x2), UEFA Player of the Year, Ballon d’Or, FIFA FIFPro World XI, UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, World Soccer Player of the Year, IFFHS World’s Best Top Goal Scorer, EA Sports FIFA
Globe Soccer Maradona Award – 2023
433’s Player of the Year – 2024
Best Middle East Player – 2024
Lionel MessiWinner of FIFA World Cup, La Liga top scorer, European Golden Shoe, Olimpia de Plata, FIFA FIFPro World XI, IFFHS World’s Best Top Division Goalscorer, Paris Saint-Germain (2021-24); Barcelona (2004-2021).
MLS Most Valuable Player – 2024
Marca’s America Award – 2024
NeymarCopa del Rey, Samba Gold, IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker, IFFHS Men’s World Team
Samba d’Or 2022
Player Career Award – 2024

International Career Records

Playing History at the Men’s International Tournament
PlayerAppearancesGoalsSeason
Ronaldo (Portugal)2211382003-current
Lionel Messi (Argentina)1911122005-current
Neymar (Brazil)128792010-current

UEFA Champions League Records by Year

Ronaldo is the leading Scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 140 goals in 183 appearances, and Messi is the second place with 129 goals in 163 appearances.

Neymar scored 43 goals in 81 games in the UEFA Champions League.

RecordsRonaldoMessiNeymar
Appearances183 163 81
Goals14012943
Assists424134
Knockout Goals674914
Hat Trick841
Titles Won5 (2008 with Man United)
(2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Real Madrid)
4 (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 with Barcelona)1 (2014-15 with Barcelona)
UEFA Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo VS Messi

Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the UCL’s top scorer charts for over a decade.

 RonaldoMessi
YearAppsAssGoalsAppsAssGoals
2022-23000322
2021-22706705
2020-21604625
2019-20804834
2018-1992610312
2017-18133151026
2016-17136129211
2015-1612416716
2014-151231013510
2013-1411417703
2012-13121121128
2011-121031011514
2010-11124613312
2008-0912241259
2007-081118961
2006-071153501
2005-06811611
2004-05820100
2003-04500N/AN/AN/A
2002-03310N/AN/AN/A
Total10128105922083

Champions League Records

FIFA World Cup Records: Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar

FIFA World Cup head to head Comparision Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025

We are sharing the FIFA World Cup match history records, match Apps, Goals, and more. In the FIFA World Cup, Messi is the leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 13 goals, and Neymar won the Bronze Boot as the tournament’s third top goal scorer in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

2022 FIFA World Cup Stats: Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar

MatchesRonaldoMessiNeymar Jr
FIFA World Cup 20221 Goal in 5 matches7 Goals in 7 matches2 Goals in 3 matches

All-time FIFA World Cup Records

Head-to-head comparisons in the World Cup have been conducted among Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar.

StatsRonaldoMessiNeymar
FIFA World Cup 2022
CAPS573
ASSISTS030
GOAL172
World Cup 2018
CAPS445
ASSISTS020
GOAL412
World Cup 2014
CAPS376
ASSISTS111
GOAL144
World Cup 2010
CAPS45N/A
ASSISTS11N/A
GOAL10N/A
World Cup 2006
CAPS63N/A
ASSISTS01N/A
GOAL11N/A
All-Time Combined Career Stats in the FIFA World Cup
CAPS222613
ASSISTS283
GOAL8138

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