‎Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Complete Comparison of Their 2025 Stats

By: Shawn
‎The iconic rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is gradually approaching its final chapter, with 2025 potentially representing one of the last seasons in which both legends remain active at the highest level of professional football.
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Getty Images Sport (2)

‎Although their head-to-head battles have softened since leaving Europe, the debate over who stands as football’s greatest of all time continues to rage among fans, particularly across social media platforms.
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‎Age has done little to diminish their influence. Messi continued to shine for Inter Miami and Argentina, while Ronaldo remained a key figure for Al Nassr and Portugal. Neither superstar has allowed time to dull their productivity or competitive spirit.
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‎Below is a detailed comparison of how both forwards performed throughout the 2025 calendar year.
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‎Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Club Goals and Assists in 2025
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‎Due to differences in league scheduling, Messi featured in more club matches than Ronaldo during 2025. Major League Soccer runs within a single calendar year, whereas the Saudi Pro League season overlaps two years. As a result, Messi made 49 appearances across all competitions for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo played 37 matches for Al Nassr.
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‎The Argentine forward found the net more frequently, scoring an impressive 43 goals, compared to Ronaldo’s still-remarkable return of 33. Both players maintained near-goal-per-game ratios, a testament to their enduring quality in leagues considered less demanding than Europe’s elite competitions.
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‎The contrast became more pronounced when examining creativity. Messi registered 25 assists for Inter Miami—roughly one every two matches—while Ronaldo supplied just four assists throughout the year. At Al Nassr, the Portuguese striker’s primary responsibility remains goal scoring rather than playmaking.
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‎These numbers are reflected in their overall efficiency. Messi delivered a goal or assist every 61 minutes for the Herons, while Ronaldo contributed once every 86 minutes, an outstanding figure in its own right.
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‎Club Statistics (2025):
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‎• Appearances: Messi 49 | Ronaldo 37
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‎• Goals: Messi 43 | Ronaldo 33
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‎• Assists: Messi 25 | Ronaldo 4
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‎• Minutes per Goal Contribution: Messi 61 | Ronaldo 86

‎Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: International Goals and Assists in 2025
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‎With no major international tournaments scheduled in 2025, opportunities at national level were limited for both players. Messi made only five appearances for Argentina, having missed fixtures in March, September, and October.
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‎Despite his reduced involvement, Messi still produced six goal contributions in those five matches. Four came in friendly encounters against Puerto Rico and Angola, while his competitive impact was highlighted by a brace against Venezuela during 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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‎Ronaldo featured more frequently for Portugal, earning nine caps across the year. The veteran striker continued to silence doubts about his international value, scoring eight goals in total—five of them during World Cup qualifying matches.
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‎He also found the net three times during Portugal’s victorious UEFA Nations League run, scoring in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final. However, the year was not without controversy, as Ronaldo received the first red card of his international career after an incident in a November loss to the Republic of Ireland.
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‎International Statistics (2025):
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‎• Appearances: Messi 5 | Ronaldo 9
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‎• Goals: Messi 3 | Ronaldo 8
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‎• Assists: Messi 3 | Ronaldo 0
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‎• Minutes per Goal Contribution: Messi 63 | Ronaldo 91
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‎Trophies Won by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2025
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‎Since stepping away from Europe’s dominant clubs, trophies have become harder to secure for both legends. Each claimed just one piece of silverware in 2025—Messi at club level and Ronaldo internationally.
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‎Ronaldo lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal in the 2024–25 campaign. He scored the crucial equalizer in the final against Spain, forcing extra time and penalties. Although substituted before the shootout, his teammates sealed the victory, earning him a third international title.
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‎Argentina did not contest any trophies in 2025 after winning the Copa América in 2024, but Messi added to his personal haul with Inter Miami. He played a decisive role in their MLS Cup triumph, contributing a staggering 58 goals and assists across just 34 matches in the competition.
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‎Trophies (2025):
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‎• Club Titles: Messi 1 (MLS Cup) | Ronaldo 0
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‎• International Titles: Messi 0 | Ronaldo 1 (UEFA Nations League)

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