On impact through those openers, Messi rated 10 and Ronaldo rated 5.
Messi's Hat-Trick in Kansas City
Messi, who turns 39 next week, mesmerised in Kansas City as Argentina ran out 3-0 winners over Algeria to get their World Cup title defence up and running.
His first goal was classic Messi. The Argentina captain took the ball on the turn 30 yards from goal, strode forward, nudged the ball to his left to open up the angle and let rip with a ball into the top corner.
There is certainly an argument that Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane should have done a better job of keeping the shot out, and absolutely no question he should have done better with the second.
Alexis Mac Allister's shot had some venom on it, but Zidane could only spill the ball into a grateful Messi's path to steer home with his right foot.
The third was another straight out of the Messi playbook: control, poise and a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Besides his hat-trick against Algeria, Messi's first at a World Cup, his influence on this Argentina team cannot be overstated. The driving force behind their World Cup success in Qatar four years ago, Messi remains both their beating heart and talisman.
Messi's first game involvement was actually a dud, kicking the ball out for a throw in attempting to pass to right back Gonzalo Montiel. His second saw him put the ball in the back of the net, although the linesman's flag meant it was ruled out for offside.
By the time he was substituted on 78 minutes, Messi had three goals from four shots on target, 57 touches with four of them in the Algeria penalty box. He completed 30 of 37 passes and made three ball recoveries.
Ronaldo Held in Congo Draw
Ronaldo, who at 41 years and 132 days old became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, failed to inspire as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He looked limited in his movement, something his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney attempted to spin as intelligent and conserving energy.
Conserving energy
Ronaldo's main tactic seemed to be dropping several yards behind the Congo defence and waiting for them to drop back to keep him onside.
Again, Rooney, in his role as a pundit for the BBC, dressed this as occupying the defenders and giving them something to think about.
Occupying the defenders
Giving them something to think about
Whether Rooney was just trying to cover for his mate or actually thought a stationary Ronaldo was genuinely a threat, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and the rest of the Congo defence did not seem to mind where Ronaldo positioned himself.
By comparison, Ronaldo had just 25 touches against DR Congo, two of them from kick offs. He completed 19 of 21 passes, and had a couple of chances from Francisco Conceicao cutbacks, but he missed the target with both.
The Numbers and Influence Gap
On influence through the opening round, Messi rated 9 and Ronaldo rated 3.
Even before the last World Cup, there was a sense that Ronaldo had an outsized influence on this Portugal side. That has only been more pronounced this time around.
Roberto Martinez's side are bursting with talent, particularly in midfield, but there is something about the cult of Ronaldo that Portugal find hard to move away from. The team must adjust to him, not the other way around.
There is no doubt Ronaldo is still a force to be reckoned with. His 28 goals powered Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title this season, and his record of 143 international goals in 229 appearances is still ahead of Messi, the next best, on 120 goals in 200 caps.
