The 41-year-old, who became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match has now gone 10 consecutive games without scoring a goal at major tournaments for Portugal in the FIFA World Cup and EUROs. That is the longest run of his international career. Ronaldo's last strike in either of the two competitions was against Ghana on matchday one of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It comes as Ronaldo was told he would step down if he were a real team player following his latest Portugal outing in Group K.
If he would be a real team player, he would step down
By contrast, Messi, 38 is coming off a record-breaking World Cup hat-trick for defending champions Argentina in Group J. Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his career as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 on Wednesday (AEST) as he moved level alongside German legend Miroslav Klose for the most ever goals at the showpiece tournament with 16 at that stage of reporting.
UPDATE 22/6: Messi breaks Klose's World Cup record. Messi now stands at the top of the all-time rankings with 18 goals from 28 appearances.
The first ever man to play in six different World Cups, before Ronaldo matched it, Messi has scored nine goals at the major FIFA tournament since his Portuguese foe last did.
Ronaldo and Messi have gone head-to-head for two decades. Here is how they compare across the key numbers from their careers.
World Cup goals
Messi stands at the top of the all-time rankings, with 18 goals from 28 appearances. Ronaldo has scored eight goals in 23 matches.
International goals
Messi is Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 122 goals from 201 caps. He is Argentina's youngest and oldest ever scorer, following his debut in 2005.
Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leading scorer with 143 goals from a country-high 229 matches. He holds the international men's record.
Career goals
Messi has scored 916 goals in 1,158 matches over the course of a career that has seen him play for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami at club level.
Ronaldo has scored 973 senior career goals for club and country from 1,326 appearances, across his time with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.
International trophies
Messi has seven international titles to his name after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has also a pair of Copa America trophies, to go with the 2008 Olympic Games Gold Medal, the 2022 Finalissima and FIFA U20 World Cup.
Ronaldo has three trophies with Portugal, headlined by the Euro 2016 triumph over France. He has also claimed two UEFA Nations League crowns.
Career titles
Messi is the most decorated player in the history of football with 46 official trophies.
At Barcelona, he 10 LaLiga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, eight Supercopa de Espana, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.
During his time with PSG, Messi claimed a pair of Ligue 1 trophies to go with the Trophee des Champions.
Currently playing for Inter Miami, Messi has delivered the Leagues Cup, Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup.
Ronaldo has 35 major senior career trophies, including 32 for his clubs.
Real Madrid is where he enjoyed great success with four Champions League titles, two LaLiga trophies, two UEFA Super Cups, three Club World Cups plus two Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana triumphs apiece.
With Manchester United, Ronaldo claimed three Premier League trophies and the Champions League, to go with the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup and Community Shield.
Featured names
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Lionel Messi
- Miroslav Klose
- Manchester United
- Copa America
- Olympic Games
- Nations League
- At Barcelona
- Champions League
- With Manchester
- Premier League
- Community Shield
- Supercoppa Italiana
- Coppa Italia
- The Best Men
- European Golden
- Golden Balls
- Pichichi Trophy
- World Player
- Pichichi Trophies
