Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have defined an era in football by redefining what is possible as individual performers for club and country. This piece is a practical, numbers-driven look from a statistical perspective at the two superstars, assessing their goals, assists, clutch moments and consistency throughout their careers. The accomplishments of each player are layered and discussed comparatively, both in club competitions(the domestic leagues, the UEFA Champions League and domestic cups) and international play (world cups, the Euros, Copa América, etc.), with an eye on the aggregate that includes how training and tactical evolution helped sustain excellence to secure their places as legends in their own time.
Career Summary and Key Stats
Before getting into specific competitions, it’s worth laying out the overall career numbers that give context to this rivalry. The unadjusted totals of goals and assists show their breathtaking productivity:
- Goals (career total): Messi has scored 856 senior career goals, while Ronaldo has 931 goals. Ronaldo’s higher tally is partly due to having played more matches (he debuted earlier and has continued longer).
- Assists (career total): Messi has provided 381 assists compared to Ronaldo’s 257. This gap underlines Messi’s dual role as a playmaker and scorer, whereas Ronaldo’s game is more tilted toward finishing.
- Appearances: Messi has 1,091 official senior appearances; Ronaldo has 1,272. The Portuguese forward has featured in about 180 more games, reflecting his longevity and the fact that he is two years older.
There are hints of stylistic difference already in these top-line numbers. Messi’s goals-per-game rate is just slightly better (around 0.78 goals per game vs. 0.73 for Ronaldo), and his goal contribution (goal or assist) comes, on average, every 72 minutes, to Ronaldo’s one every 88. In other words, Messi has been a tiny bit more efficient in terms of direct goal involvement. Ronaldo, though, has scored more total goals and stood out in some arenas, notably the Champions League (as we’ll see shortly). Both have compiled a never-before-seen trove of individual records and team trophies, but let’s parse their performance by context.
Club Performance: Domestic Leagues
Both Messi and Ronaldo built their legacies with week-in, week-out dominance in domestic leagues across multiple countries. Here’s how they compare in league play:
- Domestic League Goals: Messi has scored 520 league goals in his career, while Ronaldo has 568 league goals. Despite playing fewer total league games, Ronaldo’s count is higher, aided by his prolific years in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
- Goals per Season: Each had an extraordinary prime where scoring 40+ goals a season was routine. Messi’s best league season saw him score 50 goals in 2011/12 (a La Liga record), while Ronaldo’s top league output was 48 goals in 2014/15 (also a La Liga record for that time). Both had roughly a decade of consistently exceeding 25-30 league goals per season, a level of consistency rarely seen before.
Goals per season (all competitions) for Messi and Ronaldo. Both superstars peaked in the early 2010s with astonishing goal totals, and maintained elite scoring numbers for over a decade.
- Consistency: From 2009 through 2019, Messi scored over 40 goals (all competitions) in 9 different seasons, including an all-time high 73 club goals in 2011/12. Ronaldo, in the same period, had 8 seasons with 40+ goals, peaking with 61 goals in 2014/15. This consistency is visualized in the chart above, showing both players rising to unprecedented heights in the early 2010s and sustaining world-class output well into their 30s.
- League Assists and Playmaking: Messi’s playmaking stands out domestically. In addition to his goals, he routinely tallied double-digit assists each season in La Liga (and later in Ligue 1). For example, Messi had 20 assists in the 2019/20 La Liga season, showcasing his creative vision. Ronaldo, while a capable passer, typically recorded more modest assist numbers, focusing on finishing moves. Over their league careers, Messi’s assist totals are significantly higher, reflecting his role as the creative hub for his teams
- Efficiency: Messi has been slightly more efficient in front of goal in league play. Across major European league and Champions League play since 2009/10, Messi scores with every 5.45 shots, whereas Ronaldo scores with every 6.43 shots. This translates to a shot conversion rate of roughly 18.3% for Messi and 15.6% for Ronaldo. Messi’s ability to pick his moments or finish clinically (especially with his left foot) gives him a small edge in efficiency. Ronaldo’s volume shooting (often from distance or difficult angles) results in spectacular goals but also a lower conversion percentage.
Shot conversion rate (goals per shot) in domestic league + Champions League play since 2009/10. Messi’s conversion (~18%) edges Ronaldo’s (~16%), reflecting a slightly higher efficiency in finishing chances.
- Adaptability in Leagues: Ronaldo proved his scoring prowess in three of Europe’s top leagues – England, Spain, and Italy – becoming the first player to win the scoring title in all three. Messi spent the majority of his club career at Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga, where he is the all-time top scorer, before moving to France’s Ligue 1 (and most recently MLS). Despite changing teams and leagues, both maintained high standards. Ronaldo’s style adapted from a winger at Manchester United to a record-shattering striker at Real Madrid, then to an efficient poacher at Juventus. Messi evolved from a dribbling right winger into a false nine under Pep Guardiola, and later into a playmaking forward, allowing him to remain effective even as his pace declined slightly with age.
- Awards: Their league dominance is reflected in individual awards. Messi won the European Golden Shoe (awarded to Europe’s top league scorer) 6 times, a record, while Ronaldo won it 4 times. This indicates how often they outscored every other player in Europe in a given season – a testament to their sustained supremacy in domestic competitions.
Club Performance: UEFA Champions League
The Champions League, club football’s biggest stage, is where both Messi and Ronaldo often saved their best. The rivalry in this competition has been especially fierce:
- Champions League All-Time Goals: Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, with 140 goals (in 183 appearances), while Messi is second with 129 (in 169 appearances). Ronaldo’s second place however is one of his specialities — he dominated this tournament, and especially so from 2013 onwards where he had 12-15+ goal campaigns. Messi, while slightly behind his rival, also owned the Champions League, topping the scoring charts in multiple seasons and establishing records of his own (including a record 5 goals in a single UCL match in 2012).
- Champions League Assists: Ronaldo has 40 goals in UCL history, and Messi has 38, which means that they were basically tied in these two levels of goal creation at this elite level. That is of note because it runs counter to a common perception: although Messi is known for the play of his exceptional passing and vision, Ronaldo has nearly matched him in terms of setting up goals during Champions League play, a statistic which demonstrates the well-roundedness of his offensive game
- Titles and Finals: Ronaldo has also won the Champions League 5 times (once with Manchester United, four with Real Madrid) to Messi’s 4 titles (all with Barcelona). In finals, Ronaldo has goals in numerous UCL finals (including the 2008 and 2017 finals) and infamously converted the winning penalty in 2016. Messi scored in the 2009 and 2011 finals (both vs. Manchester United). As far as knockout rounds are concerned, Ronaldo’s proclivity for clutch performances is well-known — he is the only player to have scored in three Champions League finals and has more goals than Messi in knockout rounds overall. Messi also had many semifinal masterclasses (his two goals in the 2011 semifinals against Real Madrid, including an iconic solo goal). The pair has both been crowned top scorer in the Champions League 6 times apiece, alternating honors year on year.
- Knockout and Clutch Stats: Ronaldo’s billing as “Mr. Champions League” is based on feats like his back-to-back hat tricks in the 2017 quarterfinals and semifinals, or his hat trick to overcome a deficit to Atlético Madrid in 2019. Statistically, he leads in Champions League knockout-stage goals (he has more than 65 knockout goals, while Messi has just over 50). However, in terms of overall UCL goals scored per game Messi has the better record (0.80/game vs Ronaldo’s 0.77 in the UCL) and he has more seasons as the tournament’s top assist providing player. Both have scored an astonishing number of match-winning goals in Champions League matches under clocks when it has mattered with Ronaldo slightly ahead on all measures. (For instance, Ronaldo’s goal during the 2016 final shootout, or Messi’s solo effort during the 2011 semi, both tower as decisive moments in title runs.)
Domestic Cups and Other Competitions
Beyond leagues and the Champions League, both players contributed to victories in domestic cups and other club tournaments:
- Domestic Cup Goals: In Spain’s Copa del Rey, Messi has a wealth of appearances — over 50 of them goals, with Messi netting critical in finals like 2015. Ronaldo netted in FA Cup finals early in his career in England and added Copa del Rey and Coppa Italia goals later on. Messi’s total in domestic cups is slightly higher, by virtue of Barcelona's plethora of cup runs; for example, Messi has 7 Copa del Rey triumphs, and was frequently the driving force behind those campaigns — including a memorable solo effort in the 2015 final. He has won domestic cups in England, Spain and Italy (his FA Cup, Copa del Rey and Coppa Italia medal collections), also getting on the scoresheet in some key fixtures, but has overall played fewer domestic cup matches than Messi (partly through rotation or injury in those competitions).
- International Club Competitions: Both lifted several UEFA Super Cups and FIFA Club World Cups with their clubs. Ronaldo has four Club World Cup titles (three with Real Madrid, one with Manchester United) compared to Messi’s three. These tournaments are shorter, but Messi and Ronaldo still made an impact — for instance, Messi scored in two Club World Cup finals (2009 and 2011) and Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the 2016 Club World Cup final. These matches highlight their knack for delivering silverware at any opportunity.
- Trophies Won (Club Level): At the club level, Messi’s tally is slightly higher, mainly because of Barcelona’s dominance in his time. Messi had won 35 major trophies at Barcelona (10 league titles, 7 domestic cups, 4 Champions Leagues and a bunch of super cups). As for club trophies, Ronaldo’s count is from multiple clubs, around 27 major club trophies (7 league titles in three countries, 5 UCLs and domestic cups in three countries). Neither of those numbers has been seen for players in the modern era. The disparity in count is partly down to Messi having spent longer at a single superclub winning trebles and doubles in some seasons while Ronaldo’s transfers had to come with some “reset” seasons.
International Performance: National Teams
Both players eventually translated their dominance to the international arena, though their journeys were different. Here’s a breakdown of their national team performance in stats:
- Goals for National Team: Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top-scorer in men’s international football with 136 goals in 219 matches for Portugal. Lionel Messi is in second place on that list, with 112 goals in 191 appearances for Argentina. Ronaldo’s international goals record is historic — he broke the previous mark held by Iran’s Ali Daei (109 goals) and continues to pad his total. Messi, who, after a relatively slow international start, exploded over the past decade, eclipsing Pelé’s previous South American standard of 77 goals before hitting the 100-goal milestone in 2022. Both of their respective goal rates for their countries (Ronaldo 0.62 goals/game, Messi 0.59 goals/game) are very slightly lower than their club rates, but still elite for the international level where games are historically closer.
- Major Tournament Goals: Ronaldo has netted in five distinct UEFA European Championships and five different FIFA World Cups, with 14 Euro (a Euro record) and 8 World Cup goals. Messi has 13 World Cup goals (he netted 7 at the 2022 World Cup alone, picking up the Golden Ball) and 13 Copa América goals. Messi’s World Cup score is vastly inflated by his heroic 2022 campaign, while Ronaldo’s Euro tally reflects 20 years of consistent showings at the European championship (including as the Euro all-time top scorer).
- Tournaments Won: This is a category where both Messi and Ronaldo eventually struck gold after a few close calls. Messi won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the 2022 Finalissima (UEFA-CONMEBOL Cup of Champions) with Argentina, bringing his total for the senior national team to 4 major international trophies. With Portugal he captained them to their first UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, resulting in 2 major trophies with Portugal. There's also the small matter of Messi also having an Olympic gold medal (2008) which, despite being an under-23 tournament, is still a major success.
- Finals and Key Matches: Messi has played in more international finals and has scored or assisted in many. So far he has made 13 goal contributions in international finals (including youth finals), but all of his goals in senior finals came in the 2022 World Cup (2 goals in the final) and 2021 Copa América (assist). His signature moment in an international final came in Euro 2016, in which he infamously was forced off injured early and then coached from the sidelines in Portugal’s victory; he did not score in that final, but contributed heavily to Portugal’s path to that final (3 goals and 3 assists in the tournament). Ronaldo did not score in the 2019 Nations League final (having scored a hat-trick in the semi). So, in senior international finals, Messi has done more damage in the role of a scorer or creator. For example, Messi’s penalty and general play were the margin of victory in World Cup 2022 final, while Ronaldo’s biggest-game international heroics tended to come in semifinals or earlier rounds (see decisive brace vs. Hungary Euro 2016 group stage to keep Portugal alive, or hat trick vs. Switzerland in 2019 Nations League semi).
- International Assists: Messi’s creativity also shines at the international level. He has over 50 assists for Argentina which is phenomenal in international football. Messi also has 41 competitive internationals assists to go with his 41 goals. In fact, Ronaldo has a far less gaudy number of helpers for Portugal (30+ recorded assists) so it shows how disparate the roles are. Messi coming deep to create for Argentina, especially late in his career, while Portugal’s system requires Ronaldo to be more the target of service than the giver.
- Clutch International Moments: Each has delivered when it mattered for his country. Messi’s sunburned moments include a hat trick against Ecuador in 2017 that sent Argentina to the World Cup (essentially rescuing their qualification) and a tour de force of man-of-the-match awards in the knockout rounds of the 2021 Copa América (he helped in every round and scored in the semifinal shootout). You’ll also have the deluxe moments for Ronaldo — the hat-trick against Spain in the 2018 World Cup (complete with a last-ditch equalizer goal, a last-minute free-kick) and the hat-trick against Sweden in 2013 that saw Portugal through to a World Cup. That they brought their game to high-stakes situations for the national team deflated an early criticism that they could not step up internationally the way they did for their clubs;
Decisive Performances: Finals and Knockout Rounds
One way to measure greatness is performance in finals and do-or-die matches. Both Messi and Ronaldo have impressive records, but there are some differences in how they’ve delivered:
- All Finals (Club + Country) Stats: Messi in all career finals (for club and country): 35 goals, 15 assists (Detailed stats) Ronaldo, in contrast, has 23 goals with 2 assists in finals. Messi’s number of goal contributions in finals is higher largely because he has played more finals (he played a lot of Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey finals with Barcelona, as well as many international finals). Ronaldo’s total, though lower, features goals in some of the biggest stages (Champions League finals, Club World Cup finals). Messi’s propensity to also serve as a provider in finals (15 assists is plenty) underlines that in all-important games, he is as capable of opening the defense for a teammate as he is of scoring himself.Knockout Stage (Champions League): Ronaldo also holds the record for knockout goals in the Champions League, so it certainly highlights the tail-end of the tournament where he really made a contribution. Ronaldo scored again and again in quarterfinals, semifinals and finals during Real Madrid’s run of four Champions League titles in five years (2014-2018). Messi, by contrast, had some quiet exits in the semis/quarters in that span, but earlier in his career (2009–2011) was the main event in Barcelona’s knockout days, scoring in multiple semifinals and a final. The narrative developed that Ronaldo was the more clutch player in UCL knockouts, while Messi’s Barcelona faced several dramatic eliminations in which he was stifled. And yet it should be mentioned Messi nevertheless has his own quite a few major knockout performances (two goals in the 2009 final, four goals over two legs vs Arsenal in the 2010 QF, etc.), and Ronaldo has had at least one early exit (no goals in the 2010 and 2011 semis for Real). Both have demonstrated in their careers that they can, single-handedly, decide ties.
- Match-Winning Goals: A “match-winning goal” is usually understood as the goal that gives a team a lead that it does not relinquish (the second of two in a 2–1 victory, for example). In January 2023, the statistics showed Ronaldo to have scored 198 career match-winning goals (40 through penalty) and Messi 166 match-winning goals (27 through penalty). It means Ronaldo scores the goal that eventually kills the game that little bit more often than Messi does. This is partly down to Ronaldo’s sheer amount of goals, but it also reflects his role as his side’s top scorer — in close matches, Ronaldo is repeatedly the player who adds the finishing touch if his side triumphs by a single goal. Messi was, too, often the game-winner, but sometimes played in teams that won by wider margins (meaning his goals, though plentiful, might not qualify as the only “winner.” Either way, the totals are astronomical — nearly 200 games won by a single goal with Ronaldo and more than 160 with Messi. To put this in context, most elite strikers would be delighted just to come close to half of those figures in terms of match-winners.
- Big Game Temperament: Both have managed to remain strong mentally under pressure conditions, but in their own styles. Ronaldo enjoys high-pressure penalties and has converted during shootouts (see: Champions League 2016 final shootout; Euro 2016 quarterfinal shootout). Messi did struggle a bit in his early career with penalties in key moments (a famous miss in the 2016 Copa América final shootout), but he broke that pattern by 2022, producing a good shootout and scoring penalties in normal time of knockout games. Messi’s open play decisive moments are typically genius plays (such as his last-second game-winner against Real Madrid in 2017, or a solo #GOAT play against Athletic Bilbao in a cup final), while Ronaldo’s tend to be athletic determination displays (such as his towering header for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019, or late-game headers and volleys to secure victory).
So, in short, if one takes a purely numerical view of finals and contributions to finals, then Messi has been a slightly more meaningful playmaker at finals than Ronaldo, while Ronaldo has more game-winning contributions by way of goals. Both have hushed any debate regarding performing on this dedicated team-sport stage by now, with a cabinet full of win medals and MVP awards in finals (Messi has best-player honors from the 2014 and 2022 World Cups finals, the 2021 Copa América, etc.; Ronaldo has several Man of the Match awards in UCL finals and a Euro Silver Boot for 2016).
Longevity, Training, and Evolution
One reason these two have maintained their elite output for so long is their dedication to training and ability to adapt their game:
- Physical Fitness and Training: Ronaldo is known for his near-obsessive dedication to fitness. He sculpted his body from the skinny teenager who broke through at Sporting CP into a commanding athlete. Even at 38, his sprint speed and vertical jump are impressive. That has enabled him to avoid significant injury downtimes, and to continue scoring an age when most forwards fade. In his youth, Messi was plagued with minor injuries (hamstring strains). He had apparently changed his diet and training routine around 2008, and his injuries seemed to reduce. Though his lower center of gravity and balance are both gifts, Messi also trained for strength (particularly core and leg) in order to ride challenges. Both players regularly top physical metrics: Ronaldo’s 2.56m leap for a header against Sampdoria in 2019 made the news, while Messi’s ability to repeat short sprints over 90 minutes is a less-celebrated but crucial feature of his game.
- Tactical Evolution: The change in Ronaldo has been profound — from a showy dribbler with too many tricks at Manchester United to a predator in the penalty area at Real Madrid. Gradually, he replaced the stepovers with inside touches and long-range shots with shrewder movement in the box, one-touch finishes and headers. He has also worked to hone his finishing with his weaker foot, making him a dual threat (although it’s worth noting the proportion of Ronaldo’s goals that are with his dominant right foot is huge – 597 of his goals were with his right foot vs 178 with his left-footed). This led to a gradual shift in Messi’s tactical role: He began to move inside. He moved to the right wing (where he’d cut in on his left) under Barcelona, and then became a False 9 under Guardiola, scoring and assisting will (2011/12 being the peak). Later on he played as a classic “10,” or second striker, saving energy and hitting moments in which to turn a game. Messi also made a huge leap in one area of his game: shooting from free kicks. Free kicks were not his strong suit in his early days – by 2015 or so he was the best free-kick taker on the planet. He now has 66 free-kick goals, just edging the 64 that Ronaldo has at that sort of goal.” This was a painstaking improvement through hours on the training ground, a weakness turned into strength. Ronaldo, on the other hand, did his damage as a free-kick master early in his career (his knuckleballer technique produced some famous goals), but the conversion rate dropped later on. It is telling that Messi overtook and has now chased down his freekick tally — a direct product of the work on set pieces and his technical evolution.
- Consistency Over Years: Both stayed at world-class level for an unbelievably long time. Messi hit 40+ goals (club+country) in each calendar year from 2010 to 2019, with 2012 seeing Messi hit 91 total goals in all competitions combined — a world record. Ronaldo hit that level of consistency in scoring too, hitting 50+ goals every calendar year for 7 years straight(2011-2017). Outside of this duo, such consistency is unprecedented. Eased into their 30s, they adapted: Ronaldo saved himself for key moments, Messi allowed his teammates to run, moving closer to midfield to craft plays. It is common knowledge that, as of 2024, Older Ronaldo (38 years old) managed to score at the same standard of some of the best footballers alive today (Al Nassr, Ronaldo 35 league goals at Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season). At 36, Messi carried Argentina to World Cup glory and remains a match-winner for club and country. Clearly without exceptional discipline and love of the sport this kind of longevity is not feasible.
Cumulative major trophies won by year (club and international). Messi’s trophy count (yellow) and Ronaldo’s (orange) have risen in parallel, with Messi slightly ahead by 2023. Both achieved sustained success through multiple phases of their careers.
- Trophies and Team Impact Over Time: The chart above displays the number of major trophies they have accrued across their respective careers. trophy cabinets filled up quickly in their 20s as they were the driving forces behind historically great teams (Barcelona 2008–2015, Real Madrid 2014–2018, etc.). Messi’s tally came from having started earlier in a dominant side and international successes more recently and added up to 45 (a record) senior career trophies. Ronaldo’s total is close behind, in the low 30s. This isn’t a trivia count — it’s a testament to how their continued excellence led to team success. If you had Messi or Ronaldo on your team in those peak years, you were all but guaranteed silverware. The level they played at each season, their very presence, set the expectation that pushed their teams to championships.
- Mentorship and Leadership: Both would go on to accept leadership positions later in their careers. Ronaldo evolved into Portugal’s captain and emotional leader, frequently spotted encouraging teammates (even from the bench, like in the Euro 2016 final). Messi had grown into Argentina’s captaincy; where earlier his nature was quieter, by the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup, teammates would speak of his inspirational presence and guidance. That intangible growth was part of what helped them succeed sustainably — when the physical gifts of age began to wear away, their knowledge of the game and ability to lead and mentor the younger players around them compensated enough to keep them key to their teams.
Conclusion
When looking at Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from a statistical standpoint, some of their similarities and unique strengths become clear. Each has targeted more than 800 career goals, and well over 1,000 goal contributions if assists are included, making them both prolific to a degree unparalleled among their contemporaries. They have ruled club football, especially in Spain’s La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, swapping scoring titles and records. With his national team each eventually scaled the mountain internationally — Ronaldo leading Portugal to victory in the Euro 2016 final, Messi powering Argentina to the title at the 2022 World Cup — while gradually shattering scoring records across their continents.
Statistically, Messi has an advantage in terms of creativity and efficiency, as shown by his higher assists total and a slightly better minutes-per-goal ratio. He has been the consummate dual threat, just as likely to thread a killer pass or dribble his way through an opposing defense as to find the net. Ronaldo’s strengths come into play in clutch goal-scoring volume and overall scoring consistency across contexts. He has more total goals, more hat-tricks (66 to Messi’s 59), and has provided some of the most iconic individual scoring exploits in the history of the Champions League knockout rounds. His ability to continue to be a primary scorer across so many different environments (England, Spain, Italy, now beyond) demonstrates a versatility and mental toughness that don’t show up in the stats.
And importantly, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Both have stretched the length of their primes well beyond normal with training and evolution. The adaptation of the first into a sort of playmaker in his 30s and the second into an ultimate poacher are also borne out in the data (Messi’s rising number of assists, Ronaldo’s declining number of dribbles but unwavering total goals). And their trophy cabinets — frequently enhanced by their statistical contributions in important matches — have only expanded, as noted up top.
In decisive moments, both have proven their mettle: Messi’s influence in finals (directly contributing to more goals) and Ronaldo’s knack for the dramatic game-winner (198 match-winning goals)
might be different expressions of clutch gene, but neither is lacking. Every statistic, from goals per game to titles won, reinforces that we are comparing two all-time greats operating at the outer limits of what was thought possible in football.
In the end, those who lean one way or the other on the Messi-Ronaldo spectrum may find that preference rooted in what they value more: the playmaking, all-around influence and efficiency of Messi, or the power, ceaseless scoring impetus and big-game decisiveness of Ronaldo. What is for certain is both players raised the bar — breaking records and driving one another to even higher levels. Theirs is the greatest rivalry ever chronicled by the numbers — by the statistics, by the seasons — in the history of sports. And even as they close the final chapters of their careers, the data and accolades they’ve accrued practically ensure their names will appear next to one another in the record books for decades to come.
Their influence can’t be reduced to numbers, but it’s only through those numbers that you can really understand how special their contributions have been. The Messi vs. Ronaldo debate has been emotional at times, but as an analytical exercise we view the astonishing legacy of performance each leaves behind — one that may never be duplicated when they finally hang up their boots.
Sources: Statistical data sourced from Messi vs Ronaldo career databases.