Messi vs. Ronaldo: Decoding the Stats from Their Last 100 Games

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Perhaps circling in different orbits – the United States and Saudi Arabia individually – as they conclude their career-defining eras. Yet, how do their statistics stack up against each other in their twilight years?

We have analyzed the statistics of both competitors, covering goals and assists, across their last 100 matches played for club and country.

Ronaldo's most recent 100 matches date back to August 2023, during which he netted two goals in Al Nassr’s win against Al Hilal for the Arab Champions Cup title. This remains his sole trophy won since joining Al Nassr in early 2023.

The 40-year-old Portuguese player, who represents his country internationally, has expressed his ambition of scoring 1000 professional goals. He continues to be prolific playing in the Saudi Pro League. Despite nearing the end of his career, he maintains an impressive record of nearly one goal per match—having scored 89 times in his most recent 100 outings for both Al Nassr and the national team.

However, he has recorded just half as many assists in his past 100 matches compared to Messi, transforming himself into a straightforward No.9 striker who focuses primarily on scoring goals. Additionally, a significant number of his recent goals have come from penalty kicks, totaling 21 out of his last 89 attempts.

Although he has netted 15 fewer goals in his most recent 100 matches as opposed to Ronaldo, Messi has demonstrated greater efficiency in scoring non-penalty goals during this timeframe—averaging one every 120 minutes versus Ronaldo’s average of one every 128 minutes.

Actually, out of his last 74 goals, only five were penalties for Messi.

Even though Messi is relatively young, he has faced more injury issues recently compared to before. His most recent 100 matches were played up until October 2022, during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

The star who has won the Ballon d'Or eight times had his last 100 matches across all competitions for both club and national teams covering his concluding season in European football, his complete tenure at InterMiami so far, along with the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar and the previous summer's Copa América with Argentina.

Messi has frequently mentioned that he was not particularly content during his time at PSG, yet he has subsequently experienced an outstanding and title-filled conclusion to his dazzling career as it draws to a close.

After leaving Paris following two consecutive Ligue 1 titles, he contributed to Inter Miami securing their inaugural trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and also won the Supporters' Shield during his initial year playing in the United States.

Furthermore, we shouldn't overlook his accomplishments with Argentina, where he led the team to victory at the World Cup in Qatar and then successfully defended their title in the Copa America last summer.

Even as he slows down, his productivity remains unchanged, with 74 goals and 42 assists recorded in his past 100 games for both club and country.

Here’s how Messi and Ronaldo’s performances compare in their most recent 100 matches:

Messi's most recent 100 matches

Goals: 74

Assists: 42

Penalties scored (taken): 5/6 (83%)

Free-kicks: 6

Hat-tricks: 3

Minutes per goal: 112 Minutes per non-penalty goal: 120 Time per goal or assist: 71

Trophies Won – 5:

– 2022 World Cup

– 2024 Copa America

– 2023-24 Ligue 1

– 2023 Leagues Cup

– 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield

Ronaldo's Last 100 Matches

Goals: 89

Assists: 21

Penalties scored (taken): 21/24 (87% )

Free-kicks: 4

Hat-tricks: 4

Minutes per goal: 98 Minutes per non-penalty goal: 128 Time per goal or assist: 78

Trophies Won – 1:

– 2023 Arabian Club Champions Cup

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TRY A QUIZ: The Ultimate Messi vs Ronaldo Quiz: Test your knowledge on who has scored more goals, provided more assists, won more trophies...