A look at how Messi and Ronaldo’s international careers compare
07.10.2026, DPA
Lionel Messi has retired from international football and marked his final game for Argentina with a farewell goal and two assists in a 3-0 friendly win against Benin in Buenos Aires.
Messi, 39, stands alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as one of football’s all-time greats, while of the modern-day players, only Cristiano Ronaldo can compare.
The 41-year-old’s international future is uncertain after he walked out on Portugal last week after being left on the bench against Norway.
Here, the Press Association takes a look at how the two players’ extraordinary international statistics stack up.
Debuts
Messi was 18 years, one month and 24 days old when he made his senior debut for Argentina in a 2-1 win against Hungary in Budapest in 2005.
Ronaldo was 18 years, six months and 15 days old when he made his first senior appearance for Portugal in a 1-0 win against Kazakhstan in 2003.
Appearances and goals
Messi scored 126 goals, including 11 hat-tricks, in 206 appearances for his country over an international career which spanned over 21 years.
Ronaldo has scored 146 goals, including 10 hat-tricks, in 234 appearances for Portugal, with his international career so far stretching over 23 years.
Goals per minute
Messi’s average strike-rate was one goal every 136 minutes and excluding penalties that extended to one goal in every 172 minutes.
Ronaldo was more prolific, averaging a goal every 127 minutes and one every 151 minutes when penalties are excluded.
Goals contribution
Messi was the more creative, making 69 goal assists for a total goals contribution of 195, averaging a goal or assist every 88 minutes.
Ronaldo made 45 goal assists for an overall goals contribution of 191, averaging a goal or assist every 97 minutes.
World Cup tournaments
Messi appeared at six World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026), scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances.
Ronaldo also appeared at six World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026), scoring 11 goals in 27 appearances.
Major trophies
Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar in 2022 and the Copa América twice (2021 and 2024).
Ronaldo won the European Championship with Portugal in France in 2016 and two Nations Leagues (2019 and 2025).
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