Who Scored More Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who Has Scored More Goals?

The debate over who is the greatest footballer of all time is one that will never truly be settled. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the most talented and decorated players to ever grace the game, and their respective fans are fiercely loyal to their idols.

One of the most common arguments that is put forward in favor of one player or the other is their goal-scoring record. Ronaldo and Messi are both prolific goalscorers, and they have both broken numerous goalscoring records throughout their careers. But who has actually scored more goals?

In this article, we will take a closer look at the goal-scoring records of Ronaldo and Messi, and we will try to determine who has truly scored more goals. We will also take a look at some of the other factors that are often used to compare the two players, such as their assists, trophies, and individual awards.

So, who has scored more goals: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? Let’s find out.

Player Club Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 136
Lionel Messi Paris Saint-Germain 117

Overall Comparison of Goals Scored by Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of all time, and their goalscoring records are testament to their respective greatness. Ronaldo has scored a total of 805 goals in his career, while Messi has scored 769 goals.

Number of goals scored in total

Ronaldo has scored 805 goals in his career, while Messi has scored 769 goals. This means that Ronaldo has scored 36 more goals than Messi.

Number of goals scored per season

Ronaldo has scored an average of 37.5 goals per season, while Messi has scored an average of 38.5 goals per season. This means that Messi has scored slightly more goals per season than Ronaldo.

Average number of goals scored per game

Ronaldo has scored an average of 0.75 goals per game, while Messi has scored an average of 0.81 goals per game. This means that Messi has scored slightly more goals per game than Ronaldo.

Goals scored in different competitions

Ronaldo has scored the most goals in the Champions League, with 140 goals. He has also scored 134 goals in La Liga, 115 goals in the Premier League, and 64 goals in the Serie A. Messi has scored the most goals in La Liga, with 480 goals. He has also scored 120 goals in the Champions League, 76 goals in the Copa del Rey, and 64 goals in the Serie A.

Goals scored at different stages of the game

Ronaldo has scored the most goals in the first half of games, with 417 goals. He has also scored 388 goals in the second half of games. Messi has scored the most goals in the second half of games, with 402 goals. He has also scored 367 goals in the first half of games.

Goals Scored in Specific Circumstances

Goals scored in important matches

Ronaldo has scored a number of important goals in his career, including the winning goal in the 2016 Champions League final and the winning goal in the 2018 World Cup final. Messi has also scored a number of important goals in his career, including the winning goal in the 2021 Copa Amrica final.

Goals scored in close matches

Ronaldo has scored a number of goals in close matches, including the winning goal in the 2014 Champions League final against Atltico Madrid. Messi has also scored a number of goals in close matches, including the winning goal in the 2015 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

Goals scored in stoppage time

Ronaldo has scored a number of goals in stoppage time, including the winning goal in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool. Messi has also scored a number of goals in stoppage time, including the winning goal in the 2017 Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.

Goals scored from free kicks

Ronaldo is one of the best free-kick takers in the world, and he has scored a number of important goals from free kicks. His most famous free-kick goal came in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool. Messi is also a good free-kick taker, and he has scored a number of important goals from free kicks. His most famous free-kick goal came in the 2015 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.

Goals scored from penalties

Ronaldo has scored a number of goals from penalties, including the winning goal in the 2016 Champions League final against Atltico Madrid. Messi has also scored a number of goals from penalties, including the winning goal in the 2021 Copa Amrica final.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of all time, and their goalscoring records are testament to their respective greatness. Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi in total, but Messi has scored more goals per season and per game. Ronaldo has scored more goals in the Champions League, while Messi has scored more goals in La Liga. Both players have scored a number of important goals in their careers, including goals in

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:

  • Age: Young players are often more physically explosive and have more time to develop their skills, which can give them an advantage over older players. However, older players often have more experience and knowledge of the game, which can also help them to score goals.
  • Position: Some positions are more conducive to scoring goals than others. For example, strikers are typically expected to score more goals than defenders or midfielders.
  • Teammates: A player’s teammates can also affect the number of goals they score. If a player is surrounded by talented teammates who are able to create chances, they are more likely to score goals.
  • Injuries: Injuries can obviously affect a player’s ability to score goals. A player who is injured may not be able to play at their full potential, which can lead to a decrease in their goal-scoring output.
  • Form: A player’s form can also affect their goal-scoring ability. A player who is in good form is more likely to score goals than a player who is out of form.
  • Luck: There is always an element of luck involved in scoring goals. A player may take a shot that goes in off the post, or they may be in the right place at the right time to tap in a rebound.

These are just some of the factors that can affect the number of goals a player scores. It is important to note that no player is immune to these factors, and even the best players in the world can go through periods of time when they are not scoring goals.

4. Debate over Who Is the Greatest Goalscorer of All Time

The debate over who is the greatest goalscorer of all time is a never-ending one. There are many great goalscorers to choose from, but two names that always come up at the top of the list are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi are two of the most prolific goalscorers in history. They have both won the Ballon d’Or five times, and they are the only two players to have scored over 100 goals in the Champions League. Ronaldo has scored over 800 goals in his career, while Messi has scored over 750 goals.

There are a number of arguments that can be made for both Ronaldo and Messi. Ronaldo is a more physical player, and he is often able to use his strength and power to score goals. He is also a very good header of the ball, and he has scored many goals from set pieces. Messi, on the other hand, is a more technical player. He is very good at dribbling and passing, and he is able to create chances for himself and his teammates. He is also a very accurate finisher, and he is able to score goals from all over the pitch.

Ultimately, the debate over who is the greatest goalscorer of all time is a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong answer. However, it is clear that Ronaldo and Messi are two of the greatest goalscorers in history, and they will continue to be debated for many years to come.

Arguments for Cristiano Ronaldo

  • Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi. He has scored over 800 goals in his career, while Messi has scored over 750 goals.
  • Ronaldo is a more physical player than Messi. He is stronger and more powerful, and he is often able to use his strength and power to score goals.
  • Ronaldo is a better header of the ball than Messi. He has scored many goals from set pieces, and he is one of the best headers of the ball in the world.
  • Ronaldo is a more versatile player than Messi. He can play as a striker, a winger, or a midfielder. He is also a very good free kick taker.

Arguments for Lionel Messi

  • Messi is a more technical player than Ronaldo. He is very good at dribbling and passing, and he is able to create chances for himself and his teammates.
  • Messi is a more accurate finisher than Ronaldo. He is able to score goals from all over the pitch, and he is one of the best finishers in the world.
  • Messi is a more complete player than Ronaldo. He is not only a goalscorer, but he is also a playmaker. He is able to dictate the tempo of the game, and he is one of the best players in the world at creating chances for his teammates.

Final verdict

The debate over who is the greatest goalscorer of all time is a difficult one to answer. There is no right or wrong answer.

Who has scored more goals, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?

As of March 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 801 goals in his professional career, while Lionel Messi has scored 769 goals. Ronaldo has scored more goals for club and country, while Messi has a higher goals-per-game ratio.

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

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 141 goals in the Champions League, while Lionel Messi has scored 125 goals. Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, while Messi has won it four times.

Who has scored more goals in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 311 goals in La Liga, while Lionel Messi has scored 474 goals. Ronaldo has won La Liga twice, while Messi has won it 10 times.

Who has scored more goals in the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in the World Cup, while Lionel Messi has scored 6 goals. Ronaldo has won the World Cup once, while Messi has never won it.

Who is the better goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as both players are among the greatest goalscorers of all time. Ronaldo has scored more goals overall, but Messi has a higher goals-per-game ratio. Ultimately, the best goalscorer is the one who can score goals in the most important moments, and both Ronaldo and Messi have proven that they can do that on the biggest stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won multiple Ballon d’Or awards and have scored hundreds of goals for their clubs and countries. However, when it comes to who has scored more goals, the answer is clear: Cristiano Ronaldo. He has scored over 800 goals in his career, while Messi has scored just over 750. This difference is likely due to the fact that Ronaldo has played for more clubs than Messi, and he has also played more games. However, it is important to note that both players are still active, and Messi could still close the gap in the future. Ultimately, the debate over who is the greatest goalscorer of all time is likely to continue for many years to come.

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Kane Whitaker
Kane Whitaker
Hello, fellow football lovers! I’m Kane Whitaker, a Sunday league player and a lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

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