Al Jazeera seems again on the careers of two of essentially the most famend footballers of their technology.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shall be enjoying their fifth, and possibly final, World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain participant Messi, 35, introduced in October that World Cup 2022 shall be his final, whereas the 37-year-old Portugal and Manchester United participant Ronaldo has but to touch upon his worldwide future.
For greater than a decade now, the soccer world has debated who is healthier. The dialogue is more likely to proceed lengthy after they hold up their boots.
As the 2 giants of the sport attain the twilight of their careers, we check out their performances over greater than 17 years of enjoying soccer on the highest stage.
Internationals
Ronaldo has performed 191 worldwide matches in contrast with Messi’s 164, previous to Argentina’s World Cup opener towards Saudi Arabia.
The previous Actual Madrid star’s worldwide profession started in 2003, whereas Messi, who left Barcelona final yr for Paris, performed his first worldwide sport two years later towards Hungary.
On the subject of their scoring document, Ronaldo is way forward of his Argentinian rival.
The Manchester United star has scored 117 occasions, a document. Messi has 90 targets to his identify.
Each gamers have one main regional competitors at worldwide stage, with Ronaldo profitable the European Championship in 2016 and Messi clinching the Copa America in 2021.
World Cup historical past
At soccer’s most prestigious occasion, Messi has performed 19 matches, two greater than his Portugese competitor.
Ronaldo once more leads within the goal-scoring division with seven targets, yet one more than Messi.
Nonetheless, between the 2, solely Messi has reached a World Cup closing, on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The South American soccer giants misplaced to Germany in additional time 1-0.
There was some comfort for Messi as he took house the Golden Ball for the very best efficiency on the World Cup in Brazil. In distinction, Ronaldo has reached the semi-final stage as soon as, in 2006.
Membership competitors
Ronaldo has scored 701 targets in any respect membership competitions whereas Messi has 695 – making them the main aim scorers at membership stage in soccer historical past.
However the Portuguese has performed 100 extra video games than Messi, giving the latter a greater sport per aim common.
Nonetheless, with regards to assists, the 35-year-old Argentinian far outnumbers Ronaldo, with practically 50 % greater than the Manchester United participant.
