Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo.
Updated June 20, 2026 · DynastyDaily Editorial · ● Live Last updated: 2026-06-21T02:18:50Z
Direct answer
The defining rivalry of the era — 8 Ballons d'Or vs 5, one World Cup vs none, all-time international scoring (Ronaldo) vs most WC goals between them (Messi 13).
Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
The defining rivalry of the era — 8 Ballons d'Or vs 5, one World Cup vs none, all-time international scoring (Ronaldo) vs most WC goals between them (Messi 13).
Head-to-head
| Metric | Lionel Messi (Argentina) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup titles | 1 (2022) | 0 |
| World Cup goals | 13 | 8 |
| World Cup appearances | 5 (record 26 matches) | 5 |
| World Cup Golden Ball | 2 (2014, 2022) | 0 |
| Ballon d'Or | 8 | 5 |
| Champions League | 4 | 5 |
| Career international goals | 110+ | 135+ (all-time record) |
World Cup figures through Qatar 2022; career totals approximate for active players.
Related — full player profiles
The verdict
Both players appear in our top-20 World Cup legends ranking and the all-time statistics tables. Browse more matchups in the compare category.
Tables and ranking points refresh as matches finish. Standings · Match schedule · World Cup 2026
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