ARG
LionelMessi
22
TOTAL GOALSHead to head
DIRECT MEETINGS
Messi vs Ronaldo Head-to-Head: Goals in Direct Meetings
Games in which both players appeared: competitive club meetings and senior international friendlies. The 2023 Riyadh exhibition is excluded. Data cutoff: 2026-09-21.
Reviewed baseline: 21 September 2026. Later totals include the dated matches in the update log; unlisted dates have not been verified. Scoring breakdowns include verified match details; incomplete classifications are marked separately. Assist definitions may differ between providers. View update log ↗
Interactive comparison
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Goals
MessiRonaldo
Direct meetings
Lionel Messi22
Cristiano Ronaldo21
Difference: 1
Reading the comparison: Direct meetings
Messi leads the goal total by 1. Per 90 minutes: Messi 0.63, Ronaldo 0.63.
The same player leads both the total and the scoring rate. The displayed rates round to the same value; the unrounded rates differ.
These calculations use the table’s goals and playing sample. Rates do not adjust for opponents, teammates or role.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Head to head statistics
Leads this statBoth starred = tiedLower minutes per goal is better
| LIONEL MESSI | HEAD TO HEAD | CRISTIANO RONALDO |
|---|---|---|
22 | Goals | 21 |
12 | Assists | 1 |
36 | Appearances | 36 |
3,141 | Minutes played | 3,004 |
34 | Goals + assists | 22 |
0.61 | Goals per appearance | 0.58 |
0.63 | Goals per 90 minutes | 0.63 |
0.97 | Goals + assists per 90 | 0.66 |
142.8 | Minutes per goal | 143.0 |
Definitions and sources are in our methodology.Football statistics glossary
36 matches in which both played: competitive club games and two senior international friendlies. The Riyadh exhibition is excluded. Statistics cover the stated period; overlapping categories should not be added together.
READING THE DATA
In this direct meetings comparison, Messi has 22 goals and 12 assists in 36 appearances. Ronaldo has 21 goals and 1 assists in 36 appearances. Updated 21 September 2026. 36 matches in which both played: competitive club games and two senior international friendlies. The Riyadh exhibition is excluded.
The comparison boundaries
36 matches in which both played: competitive club games and two senior international friendlies. The Riyadh exhibition is excluded.
Goals per 90 minutes
Goals × 90 ÷ minutes played within this same scope.
Where the figures come from
36 meetings: senior competitive club games and two senior international friendlies. Excludes the 2023 Riyadh exhibition.