A major chapter in the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry is drawing to a close, with Messi having bade Argentina farewell and Ronaldo having now announced his retirement from international football with Portugal.
With both players’ international careers now over, their total tallies for Portugal and Argentina are finalised. How do they compare on the international stage?
After a legendary career with Argentina, in which he’s comfortably their all-time top goalscorer and appearance-maker, the 39-year-old captain waved goodbye to the fans with a goal and two assists against Benin.
Ronaldo has now confirmed that his time with Portugal is also over, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary international career. Whether he’ll be given the opportunity to enjoy a farewell appearance in front of his home supporters remains to be seen.
The 41-year-old leaves international football as the most prolific goalscorer in men’s international history, having represented Portugal at five World Cups and six European Championships.
Few players will ever get close to the international numbers Messi and Ronaldo have left behind. Ronaldo finishes with 234 Portugal appearances and 146 goals, both higher than Messi’s final totals of 207 caps and 125 goals for Argentina.
Ronaldo was also the more prolific goalscorer – both in terms of his overall tally and averages. His 146 strikes arrived at one every 127 minutes, compared with Messi’s rate of one every 136. Taking penalties out of the equation leaves Ronaldo ahead again, averaging a goal every 151 minutes to Messi’s 172.
Messi’s advantage comes in the creative department. He provided 67 assists for Argentina, comfortably clear of Ronaldo’s 37, and that swings the overall goal contribution numbers his way: 193 to 183.
There is very little separating them elsewhere. Messi scored 12 direct free-kicks to Ronaldo’s 11 and registered 11 hat-tricks to Ronaldo’s 10. He was also, surprisingly, more reliable from the spot, converting 78% of his penalties compared with Ronaldo’s 69%.
Add everything together, and Messi averaged a goal or assist every 89 minutes of his international career. Ronaldo’s corresponding figure is every 101 minutes, despite his superior individual scoring rate.
Messi also finishes one ahead in the trophy count. Argentina won four major honours during his career, including the World Cup and two Copa Americas, while Ronaldo helped Portugal claim Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles.
Here’s the full breakdown of Messi and Ronaldo’s stats on the international stage:
208 126
67 ⭐
193 ⭐
Penalties scored/taken: 26/33 ⭐ (78% ⭐)
12 ⭐
11 ⭐
Minutes per goal: 136.5
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 172.1
Minutes per goal or assist: 89.1 ⭐
1 x FIFA World Cup
1 x Finalissima
2 x Copa America
234 ⭐ 146 ⭐
37
183
Penalties scored/taken: 23/33
11
10
Minutes per goal: 127 ⭐
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 151 ⭐
Minutes per goal or assist: 101
1 x UEFA European Championship
2 x UEFA Nations League
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