Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the most famous football players in the world. Fans are always debating who is better. While both have extraordinary talent, many people believe that Lionel Messi is a little bit better than Cristiano Ronaldo. In this article, we will explore 13 reasons why some fans and experts think that Messi has an edge over Ronaldo.
13. Most ‘Player of the Match’ Awards at FIFA Men’s World Cup
Messi has an impressive 11 ‘Player of the Match’ (POTM) awards at the FIFA Men’s World Cup. His 11 goals across five tournaments tie him with Miroslav Klose. Ronaldo has not achieved this level of consistency in World Cup performances.
12. CONMEBOL Copa América ‘Most Valuable Player’ Award
Messi won the Copa América ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) award twice, in 2015 and 2021. In contrast, Ronaldo has never won the MVP award at the UEFA European Championship, despite being one of Europe’s greatest players.
11. Most FIFA Club World Cup ‘Golden Ball’ Awards
Messi has two FIFA Club World Cup ‘Golden Ball’ awards (2009, 2011), recognizing him as the best player of the tournament. Ronaldo has won this award only once, in 2016, showing Messi’s dominance in club-level tournaments.
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10. Most ‘European Golden Shoes’
Messi has won the ‘European Golden Shoe’ six times, which is awarded to the top scorer in Europe’s national league matches. Ronaldo has won this award four times, making Messi the superior goal scorer in league competitions.
9. Olympic Gold Medal & FIFA u-20 Men’s World Cup Winner
Messi’s international success extends beyond senior competitions. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 with Argentina and was awarded both the ‘Golden Ball’ and ‘Golden Boot’ at the FIFA u-20 Men’s World Cup in 2005. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has never won an Olympic medal or a junior championship title.
8. Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Messi is the only player from a team sport to win the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, doing so twice (2020, 2023). Ronaldo has never received this honor, further highlighting Messi’s global recognition as a sports icon.
7. Most La Liga Pichichi Awards
Messi has won the La Liga ‘Pichichi’ award, given to the league’s top scorer, eight times. In comparison, Ronaldo won this award only three times. This shows Messi’s consistent ability to dominate scoring in Spain’s top division.
6. Most La Liga ‘Player of the Season’ Awards
Messi has been awarded the La Liga ‘Player of the Season’ title nine times throughout his career. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has won this accolade just once, showcasing Messi’s long-term dominance in Spanish football.
5. Most Trophies: Major Senior Honours
Messi’s trophy cabinet is fuller than Ronaldo’s when it comes to major senior honours. Messi has won 42 major trophies in club and international football, while Ronaldo has 32. This includes both club achievements and international titles, underscoring Messi’s contributions to team success.
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4. FIFA Men’s World Cup ‘Golden Ball’
Messi is the only footballer to be named the best player at two World Cups, winning the FIFA ‘Golden Ball’ in 2014 (Brazil) and 2022 (Qatar). He scored seven goals in the 2022 World Cup, guiding Argentina to victory. Ronaldo has never won a World Cup or any individual awards at the tournament.
3. Ballon d’Or Award
Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or eight times, the most by any player. This makes him the best in history, outshining Ronaldo, who has won the award five times. Messi’s consistent performances at the highest level have earned him this recognition.
2. 2021 & 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América vs. UEFA EURO 2016
Although Ronaldo won the UEFA EURO 2016 before Messi’s Copa América triumphs, Messi’s victories in the 2021 and 2024 Copa América tournaments hold their own significance. He led Argentina to a historic 30th final in 2024, further proving his leadership. In contrast, Portugal only won one match in regular time at the EURO 2016, and Ronaldo left the field due to injury during the final, highlighting that the team won without him.
1. FIFA Men’s World Cup Winner
Messi finally won the World Cup in 2022, a moment of redemption after years of near misses. He was instrumental in Argentina’s triumph in Qatar, winning five ‘Player of the Match’ awards and scoring crucial goals throughout the tournament. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has never reached a World Cup final and has only managed a fourth-place finish with Portugal in 2006.
