Who Has More Goals: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won the Ballon d’Or five times, and they are constantly being compared to each other. One of the most common debates is over who has scored more goals.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the goalscoring records of Ronaldo and Messi. We will examine their overall goal totals, as well as their goal totals in different competitions. We will also look at their goalscoring records in different stages of their careers.

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of who has scored more goals, Ronaldo or Messi. You will also have a better understanding of their respective goalscoring records.

Player Goals Club
Lionel Messi 769 Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo 768 Manchester United

Overall Comparison of Goals

Total goals scored by Messi and Ronaldo

Lionel Messi has scored a total of 805 goals in his professional career, while Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 815 goals. This means that Ronaldo has scored slightly more goals than Messi, but the difference is not significant.

Goals scored in different competitions

Messi has scored more goals in La Liga than Ronaldo, with 474 goals to Ronaldo’s 311. However, Ronaldo has scored more goals in the Champions League than Messi, with 140 goals to Messi’s 120. Ronaldo has also scored more goals in the European Championship than Messi, with 14 goals to Messi’s 11.

Goals scored in different positions

Messi has played most of his career as a winger, while Ronaldo has played most of his career as a striker. This means that Messi has had more opportunities to score goals from outside the box, while Ronaldo has had more opportunities to score goals from inside the box.

Goals scored at different stages of their careers

Messi has been a professional footballer since the age of 17, while Ronaldo has been a professional footballer since the age of 18. This means that Messi has had a longer career than Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo has been more prolific in recent years, scoring more goals than Messi in each of the last three seasons.

Specific Comparisons of Goals

Most goals scored in a single season

Messi has scored the most goals in a single season on three occasions, with 50 goals in the 2011-12 season, 54 goals in the 2012-13 season, and 51 goals in the 2017-18 season. Ronaldo has also scored the most goals in a single season on three occasions, with 48 goals in the 2010-11 season, 61 goals in the 2013-14 season, and 55 goals in the 2015-16 season.

Most goals scored in a single game

Messi has scored the most goals in a single game on five occasions, with five goals against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League in 2012, five goals against Eibar in La Liga in 2015, three goals against Real Madrid in La Liga in 2017, three goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2015, and three goals against Arsenal in the Champions League in 2010. Ronaldo has also scored the most goals in a single game on five occasions, with five goals against Granada in La Liga in 2015, four goals against Real Sociedad in La Liga in 2010, four goals against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2017, three goals against Atltico Madrid in La Liga in 2012, and three goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League in 2018.

Most goals scored in a single match against a particular opponent

Messi has scored the most goals against a single opponent on four occasions, with eight goals against Real Betis in La Liga, seven goals against Atltico Madrid in La Liga, six goals against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, and six goals against Sevilla in La Liga. Ronaldo has also scored the most goals against a single opponent on four occasions, with eight goals against Atltico Madrid in La Liga, seven goals against Getafe in La Liga, six goals against Sevilla in La Liga, and six goals against Real Madrid in La Liga.

Most goals scored in a particular competition

Messi has scored the most goals in the Champions League, with 120 goals. Ronaldo has also scored the most goals in the Champions League, with 140 goals. Messi has also scored the most goals in La Liga, with 474 goals. Ronaldo has also scored the most goals in La Liga, with 311 goals.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both scored an incredible number of goals throughout their careers, and they continue to be among the most prolific goalscorers in the world. It is impossible to say definitively who is the better goalscorer, as they both have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. However, there is no doubt that they are both two of the greatest goalscorers of all time.

3. Factors Affecting the Number of Goals Scored

There are a number of factors that can affect the number of goals a player scores, including:

  • Playing style. Some players are more prolific goalscorers than others, due to their playing style. For example, strikers are more likely to score goals than midfielders or defenders.
  • Teammates. The players that a player plays with can also affect their goal-scoring record. A player who plays with other talented goalscorers is more likely to score goals than a player who plays with less talented teammates.
  • Opposition. The opposition that a player faces can also affect their goal-scoring record. A player who faces weaker opposition is more likely to score goals than a player who faces stronger opposition.
  • Injuries. Injuries can also affect a player’s goal-scoring record. A player who is injured is less likely to be able to play at their best, and is therefore less likely to score goals.
  • Age. A player’s age can also affect their goal-scoring record. As players get older, they tend to lose their physical ability, which can make it more difficult for them to score goals.

4. Debate Over Who Has More Goals

There is a long-standing debate over who has scored more goals, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Both players are considered to be among the greatest goalscorers of all time, and they have both won the Ballon d’Or award multiple times.

  • Arguments in favor of Messi
  • Messi has scored more goals than Ronaldo in both club and international competition.
  • Messi has a better goal-scoring record in the Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in the world.
  • Messi is more versatile than Ronaldo, and he is capable of scoring goals from all areas of the pitch.
  • Messi is a more complete player than Ronaldo, and he is not just a goalscorer. He is also an excellent passer, dribbler, and playmaker.
  • Arguments in favor of Ronaldo
  • Ronaldo has scored more goals in major international tournaments than Messi.
  • Ronaldo has a better goal-scoring record in the Premier League, which is considered to be the most competitive league in the world.
  • Ronaldo is more clinical than Messi, and he is more likely to score goals from chances created by his teammates.
  • Ronaldo is a more powerful player than Messi, and he is able to score goals from headers and long-range shots.

The final verdict

The debate over who has scored more goals is likely to continue for many years to come. Both Messi and Ronaldo are exceptional goalscorers, and they have both achieved great things in their careers. However, there is no definitive answer to the question of who has scored more goals.

there are a number of factors that can affect the number of goals a player scores. These factors include playing style, teammates, opposition, injuries, and age. The debate over who has scored more goals, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, is likely to continue for many years to come. Both players are exceptional goalscorers, and they have both achieved great things in their careers.

Q: Who has more goals, Messi or Ronaldo?

A: Lionel Messi has scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in their respective careers. Messi has scored 769 goals for club and country, while Ronaldo has scored 758 goals.

Q: How many goals has Messi scored for Barcelona?

A: Messi has scored 672 goals for Barcelona in all competitions. He is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Q: How many goals has Ronaldo scored for Real Madrid?

A: Ronaldo has scored 450 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions. He is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Q: Who has scored more goals in the Champions League, Messi or Ronaldo?

A: Messi has scored more goals in the Champions League than Ronaldo. Messi has scored 125 goals in the Champions League, while Ronaldo has scored 121 goals.

Q: Who has scored more goals for their national team, Messi or Ronaldo?

A: Messi has scored more goals for his national team than Ronaldo. Messi has scored 86 goals for Argentina, while Ronaldo has scored 115 goals for Portugal.

Q: Who is the better goalscorer, Messi or Ronaldo?

A: There is no definitive answer to this question. Both Messi and Ronaldo are among the greatest goalscorers of all time. They have both scored over 700 goals in their careers, and they have both won the Ballon d’Or multiple times. Ultimately, the best goalscorer is the one who scores the most goals.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, and they are both considered to be among the best goal scorers in history. However, when it comes to who has scored more goals, the answer is not so clear-cut.

Messi has scored more goals in La Liga, but Ronaldo has scored more goals in the Champions League. Messi has also scored more goals for Argentina, but Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal. Ultimately, the question of who has scored more goals is a matter of opinion. Both Messi and Ronaldo are phenomenal footballers, and they have both achieved incredible things in their careers.

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Kane Whitaker
Kane Whitaker
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