whois better messi or ronaldo
Messi vs Ronaldo isn’t a “right answer” question – it’s about what you value more in a footballer. Many analysts lean slightly toward Messi overall for pure playmaking and World Cup legacy, while Ronaldo is often favored for goal- scoring, longevity, and physical dominance.
Quick Scoop: Who is “better”?
If you like creativity, vision, and all‑round playmaking, you’ll probably say Messi. If you value mentality, athleticism, and relentless goal scoring across many leagues, you’ll probably say Ronaldo.
A simple way to see it:
- Messi often seen as the more complete football brain (dribbling, vision, passing, playmaking).
- Ronaldo often seen as the more complete goal machine (heading, shooting, positioning, physicality).
- Most “GOAT” polls shifted slightly toward Messi after he won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, which many felt “completed” his career.
In forums, you’ll usually see: “Messi had the better career; Ronaldo is the better athlete / finisher” versus “Ronaldo did it in more leagues; his mentality is unmatched.”
Key stats at a glance (career)
Below are approximate up‑to‑date career totals (club + country).
| Metric | Lionel Messi | Cristiano Ronaldo |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | ~1,131 apps | [3]~1,293 apps | [3]
| Total goals | ~891 goals | [3]~950 goals | [3]
| Total assists | ~399 assists | [3]~259 assists | [3]
| Goal ratio (goals per game) | 0.78 | [3]0.73 | [3]
| Hat-tricks | 60 | [3]66 | [3]
| International goals | 114 for Argentina | [3]143 for Portugal | [3]
| World Cup titles | 1 (2022) | [3]0 | [3]
| Major international trophies | Copa América + World Cup | [3]Euros + Nations League | [3]
| Champions League goals | 129+ goals | [5]140+ goals | [5]
How fans and forums see it
On forums and social media, the debate is as emotional as it is logical.
Common pro‑Messi arguments:
- Natural talent & playmaking
- Seen as a “once‑in‑a‑generation” creator: drops deep, runs the game, and still scores heavily.
* Dribbling, close control, and vision are often rated as the best ever.
- World Cup and narrative
- Winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina is used as the ultimate GOAT argument.
* Many writers say this “completed” his legacy, similar to Maradona.
- Efficiency and influence
- Better goals‑per‑game ratio, while also being his team’s main creator.
Common pro‑Ronaldo arguments:
- Longevity & adaptability
- Proven in multiple leagues: Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, plus success back in Portugal and beyond.
* Maintained elite scoring numbers into his late 30s.
- Champions League and clutch goals
- All‑time top scorer in the Champions League, with many key knockout goals.
* Reputation for big‑game moments and late winners.
- Physicality & mentality
- Poster child for work ethic, professionalism, and elite physical conditioning.
* Fans love his mentality: leader, alpha personality, thrives under pressure.
A typical forum quote: “Messi is the better footballer; Ronaldo is the better athlete and competitor.”
Style vs achievements: what do you prefer?
If you’re asking “whois better messi or ronaldo” from a football purist angle, many modern analysts now nudge Messi ahead because he combines elite goal scoring with unmatched creativity and has the World Cup on his CV.
If you ask from a mentality + longevity + Champions League angle, you can build a strong case for Ronaldo as the greatest big‑game goalscorer and ultimate professional, especially given his club success across different countries.
In simple terms:
- Pick Messi if you value:
- Magic on the ball, playmaking, World Cup legacy, and “beautiful football.”
- Pick Ronaldo if you value:
- Total goals, physical dominance, mentality, and Champions League records.
TL;DR
- There is no objective “winner”, but after 2022 a slight majority of neutral analysts lean Messi as the overall GOAT.
- Ronaldo still has a massive claim as the greatest goal scorer and Champions League performer ever.
- The “best” depends on what you personally value more: artistry and all‑round play (Messi) or mentality and goal‑scoring machine (Ronaldo).
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.