Define the match before counting the goal
Our career comparison uses senior competitive club football and senior A internationals. Club friendlies, exhibition fixtures, reserve teams and youth matches are excluded. Recognized senior international friendlies are included; they belong to a different category from club preseason games.
Keep penalty shootouts separate
A penalty scored during normal or extra time contributes to the match score and to the player's goal total. A successful kick in a penalty shootout decides the outcome of a tie but is not added to that player's match goals. Combining the two would inflate career totals.
A date is part of the statistic
The career totals in this release are 930 for Messi and 979 for Ronaldo, updated through 21 September 2026. They follow the named statistical reference’s senior-match scope. Always keep the date attached: a reviewed total needs another update after subsequent matches.
Understand the overlap
Champions League goals are already included in club goals. Club and senior international goals together make the career total. The comparison table displays useful subsets, not a list of independent categories to add together.