Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar

One of the most debated topics in soccer history is the comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar regarding their performances and who is considered the best footballer in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr FC, Lionel Messi is a star at Inter Miami, and Neymar is a forward for the Brazilian club Santos. All three players are widely regarded as some of the best in the sport and are among the most valuable players in the soccer world.

Having won a combined 13 Ballon d’Or/FIFA Ballon d’Or awards (8 for Messi and 5 for Ronaldo), both are widely regarded as the two best players of their generation and among the best of all time in the sport. Messi created history as he became the first-ever MLS-based player to win the coveted prize.

The all-time hot topic of debate in the football world is which of the top footballers, a skilled player, is between Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi’s achievements. Ronaldo, 40, previously won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Messi finished second in the voting while Neymar, who joined Paris St Germain in a world-record transfer deal in 2021, was third and now returns to his boyhood club Santos after ending his contract with Al Hilal. Ronaldo becomes 1st player to reach 957+ career goals.

Inter Miami CF legend Messi left the PSG club on 15 July 2023. Before joining PSG FC, he won a club-record 34 trophies with Barcelona. Messi has won the world’s best men’s player of the year three times (2019, 2022 and 2023). He helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on 15 July 2023 to join Inter Miami CF. Before his stint in France, Messi enjoyed a historic career at Barcelona, where he won a club-record 34 trophies.

On the international stage, Messi led Argentina to glory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America. His exceptional performances earned him the Best Men’s Player of the Year award three times in recent years – 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Neymar rose to fame at Santos, making his professional debut at just 17. Since then, he’s netted 79 goals in 126 appearances for Brazil between 2010 and April 2025, becoming the nation’s all-time top scorer in FIFA history.

Ronaldo has 957 goals compared to Messi’s 896, whereas Neymar has only 450 goals in both Clubs and the National Team. 

Neymar is among the elite group of footballers who have scored at least 100 goals for three different clubs—Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. During his time at PSG, Neymar netted 118 goals in 173 appearances before making a high-profile move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. As of now, he has returned to Santos, the Brazilian club where he began his professional career.

Ronaldo has scored more goals than Messi in their club career (811 vs 781). Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead the way for Champions League goals. Ronaldo is the UEFA Champions League top scorer of all time with 140 goals in 183 Apps, and Messi is the second player to reach 129 goals in 163 games in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2026

Neymar is the most expensive transfer in football history from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain with €222 million in 2017. The last transfer records him as the most expensive purchase in the Saudi Pro League by Neymar Jr. from PSG to Al Hilal. Now, he is part of Santos FC.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the 10th and 13th spots among the most expensive transfers in football history, as well as being the most expensive deal for an Italian club in 2018. His transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 cost €94 million, while his 2018 move from Real Madrid to Juventus was valued at €100 million.

He is the first footballer and the third sportsman to earn $1 billion in his career. The other two athletes who achieved this feat are Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather, as well as Lionel Messi, who is also the second footballer to reach this milestone and the Fourth Billionaire Sportsman.

The Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate, fueled by their latest statistics and achievements, continues to divide fans in 2025, as both legends keep adding to their remarkable legacies.

Messi has now surpassed 896 career goals and recently lifted his 9th individual Best Player award, while Ronaldo remains the all-time top scorer in international football with over 143 goals.

Neymar, though less decorated in comparison, made headlines in 2025 by scoring a memorable goal for Santos, marking a nostalgic return to where his journey began.

Neymar reached 700 goal contributions (450 goals, 286 assists in 738 games by August 17, 2025), and now his professional career in 647 games with 450 goals and 287 assists on 1 January 2026 over Vasco da Gama.

Find the comparison between Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar.

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025-26

Matches	Ronaldo (Al Nassr)	Messi (Inter Miami)	Neymar (Santos)
All Competition (For Club)	15 Apps, 3 Assist, 14 Goals	20 Apps, 18 Assist, 19 Goals	5 Apps, 0 Assist, 2 Goals
League	11 Apps, 1 Assists, 13 Goals	10 Apps, 9 Assist, 11 Goal	5 Apps, 0 Assist, 2 Goals
Continental  Championships ( Champions League, MLS Cup, USA/Mexican Cup)	0 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals	7 Apps, 3 Assist, 7 Goal	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition (Domestic Super Cup, etc)	4 Apps, 2 Assist, 1 Goal	0 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
World Cup Qualifiers	4 Apps, 0 Assist, 5 Goals	2 Apps, 2 Assist, 2 Goals	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Club and Country	20 Apps, 3 Assist, 19 Goals	23 Apps, 21 Assist, 22 Goals	5 Apps, 0 Assist, 2 Goals

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2025

Matches	Ronaldo (Al Nassr)	Messi (Inter Miami)	Neymar (Santos)
All Competition (For Club)	37 Apps, 4 Assist, 33 Goals	49 Apps, 25 Assist, 43 Goals	22 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals
League	29 Apps, 2 Assist, 28 Goals	28 Apps, 16 Assist, 29 Goals	14 Apps, 0 Assist, 3 Goals
Continental  Championships ( Champions League )	5 Apps, 1 Assists, 4 Goals	7 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals	1 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition (Club World Cup, MLS Cup, Domestic Cup, etc.)	3 Apps, 1 Assists, 1 Goals	14 Apps, 9 Assist, 9 Goals	7 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goal
Club and Country	46 Apps, 4 Assist, 41 Goals	54 Apps, 28 Assist, 46 Goals	22 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2024-25

Ronaldo’s 2024-25 club season goals and apps. Messi and Neymar’s goals and stats in the same period. Generally MLS and

Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition (For Club)	41 Apps, 4 Assist, 35 Goals	39 Apps, 10 Assist, 29 Goals	18 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals
Club League	30 Apps, 3 Assist, 25 Goals	25 Apps, 10 Assist, 20 Goals	7 Apps, 0 Assist, 3 Goals
Continental  Championships (Champions League/ MSL Cup)	8 Apps, 0 Assists, 8 Goals	9 Apps, 0 Assists, 8 Goals	3 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition (Domestic Super Cup, etc)	3 Apps, 1 Assist, 2 Goals	5 Apps, 0 Assist, 1 Goal	8 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goal
Club and Country	50 Apps, 5 Assist, 43 Goals	41 Apps, 11 Assist, 30 Goals	18 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals

Club and Country Calendar Year Goal 2024

Messi:  36 Apps, 18 Assists, 29 Goals
Ronaldo:  51 Apps, 7 Assists, 43 Goals
Neymar:  2 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals

Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi vs Neymar 2023-24

Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition (For Club)	50 Apps, 13 Assist, 51 Goals	29 Apps, 16 Assists, 25 Goals	5 Apps, 1 Assist, 3 Goals
Club League	31 Apps, 11 Assist, 35 Goals	18 Apps, 13 Assist, 11 Goals	3 Apps, 0 Assists, 3 Goals
Continental  Championships ( UEFA Champions League/AFC Champions League / CONCACAF Champions Cup)	9 Apps, 2 Assist, 6 Goals	1 Apps, 2 Assist, 0 Goal	2 Apps, 1 Assist, 0 Goal
Other Competition (Domestic Super Cup, etc.)	10 Apps, 0 Assists, 9 Goals	11 Apps, 5 Assists, 12 Goals	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal

Club and Country Cleander Year Goal 2023

Messi: 42 Apps, 12 Assists, 28 Goals
Ronaldo: 43 Apps, 11 Assists, 46 Goals

2022-23 Season

Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition (For Club)	34 Apps, 4 Assist, 16 Goals	41 Apps, 20 Assists, 21 Goals	29 Apps, 18 Assist, 18 Goals
Club League	24 Apps, 2 Assist, 14 Goals	32 Apps, 16 Assist, 16 Goals	20 Apps, 11 Assist, 13 Goals
3 Apps, 2 Goals	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goals	7 Apps, 4 Assist, 4 Goals	6 Apps, 2 Assist, 3 Goals
Other Competition (Domestic Super Cup, etc)	9 Apps, 2 Assist, 2 Goals	2 Apps, 0 Assists, 1 Goal	3 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goals
World Cup (Qatar World Cup 2022)	4 Apps, 1 Goal	8 Apps, 8 Goals	3 Apps, 2 Goals

2021-22 Season

Ronaldo led the table with 24 goals in 38 Apps in the 2021-22 Season
Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition	38 Apps, 3 Assist, 24 Goals	33 Apps, 14 Assist, 10 Goals	22 Apps, 8 Assists, 13 Goals
League	30 Apps, 3 Assist, 18 Goals	25 Apps, 14 Assist, 5 Goals	22 Apps, 6 Assists, 13 Goals
UEFA Champions League	6 Apps, 0 Assists, 6 Goals	7 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals	6 Apps, 2 Assists, 0 Goals
Other Competition	2 Apps, 0 Assists, 0 Goals	1 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goals	0 Apps, 0 Assist, 0 Goal
WC Qualification Friendlies	9 Apps, 1 Assist, 6 Goals	15 Apps, 0 Assist, 7 Goals 1 Apps, 0 Assists, 5 Goals	10 Apps, 8 Assist, 8 Goal 2 Apps, 0 Assist, 3 Goals

2020-21 Season

In the 2020-21 season, Messi led the table with 47 goals in 38 appearances
Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition	44 Apps, 4 Assist, 36 Goals	47 Apps, 14 Assist, 38 Goals	31 Apps, 11 Assists, 17 Goals
League	33 Apps, 2 Assist, 29 Goals	35 Apps, 11 Assist, 30 Goals	17 Apps, 6 Assists, 9 Goals
UEFA Champions League	6 Apps, 2 Assist, 4 Goals	6 Apps, 2 Assist, 5 Goals	9 Apps, 3 Assists, 6 Goals
Other Competition	5 Apps, 3 Assists, 0 Goals	6 Apps, 3 Assist, 1 Goal	4 Apps, 2 Assist, 2 Goal

2019/20 Season

In the 2019-20 season, Ronaldo led the table with 37 goals in 46 appearances
Matches	Ronaldo	Leo Messi	Neymar
All Competition	46 Apps, 10 Assist, 37 Goals	44 Apps, 25 Assists, 31 Goals	27 Apps, 12 Assist, 19 Goals
League	31 Apps, 5 Assist, 31 Goals	33 Apps, 21 Assists, 25 Goals	15 Apps, 6 Assist, 13 Goals
UEFA Champions League	8 Apps, 0 Assists, 4 Goals	8 Apps, 3 Assist, 3 Goals	7 Apps, 4 Assist, 3 Goals
Other Competition	5 Apps, 0 Assists, 2 Goals	3 Apps, 1 Assist, 3 Goals	5 Apps, 3 Assists, 2 Goals

Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar are the world’s greatest footballers, but who’s the best on the ground? Compare goals, assists, and honours for Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Lionel Messi || Inter Miami || Argentine

Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Inter Miami, the top division of United States football, and the Argentina National team. The Argentine superstar has consistently scored more than 50 goals in a calendar year, with his best figure being 69 goals in 2013. The record machine Lionel Messi holds is 91 goals in a year.

Messi wins his 8th Ballon d’Or. His numbers this year are once again truly extraordinary. He’s head and shoulders the best player in world football. According to France Football, Messi was the world’s highest-paid footballer for five years out of six between 2009 and 2014.

He captained the Argentina squad to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2024 Copa América, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

He is the second-highest-paid footballer at £7.3 million ($9.5 million) a month before tax (where PSG assumes a salary of $75 million). Lionel Messi’s Net Worth made him 2nd second-highest-earning footballer. Lionel Messi’s player profile is below.

• Age: 37
• Born: 24 June 1987
• Nationality: Argentine
• Clubs: Inter Miami CF (2023- Current), Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023), Barcelona (2004-2021)

• All-Time Career: 1137 Apps, 407 Assists with 896 Goals (Last Update: 1 January 2026)

• International: 115 Goals in 196 Apps with 61 Assists
• Senior Trophies: 47 in his Career
• Hat Tricks – 59 times
• La Liga: 474 Goals in 520 Apps
• FC Barcelona: 672 Goals in 778 Apps
• Ballon d’Or wins: 8 wins (2023, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009)
• The Best FIFA Men’s Player – 1 (2019)
• Champions League winners’ medals(4 times): 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15 (all with Barcelona)
• UEFA Champions League: (129 goals in 163 Apps)

Club Career Statistics

Club	League		National Cup		Continental		Other		Total
	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Barcelona C 2003–04	10	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	5
Barcelona B 2003–05	22	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	6
Barcelona 2004–21	520	474	80	56	149	120	29	22	778	672
PSG 2021–23	58	22	2	0	14	9	1	1	75	32
Inter Miami 2023–25	53	50	1	0	10	7	24	20	88	77
Total 2003-	663	557	83	56	173	136	54	43	973	792
Lionel Messi: Appearances and goals by Competition, season, and Apps As of the match played on (Updated: 09 December 2025)

International Career Statistics

Lionel Messi (Argentina): National team, year, and competition As of the match played on 04 September 2025
Competition	Goals	Season	Apps
Argentina U20	14	2004-05	18
Argentina U23	2	2008	5
Argentina	115	2005-current	196
Total	131	2004-current	220

FIFA World Cup stats

At the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi is set to join just one of a handful of footballers to have played in five different editions of the tournament.

Games played	26
Goals	13
Assists	8

Cristiano Ronaldo || Al-Nassr FC || Portugal

The Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the Portugal national team and plays as a forward for the UAE’s Football Club Al-Nassr FC. He is one of the world’s top players, the best footballer in the world. He is the most famous sportsman in football history. Ronaldo also holds the record for most overall Champions League appearances, having overtaken Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, with 140 goals, and he also holds the record for the most international appearances, with 215 caps and counting!

Since 2011, Ronaldo has scored over 50 goals in six calendar years (in the Serie A, La Liga, and Premier League) and 24 goals in 38 matches during the 2021-22 season. He has also become the fastest player to reach 50 Serie A goals (in 61 games).

His name was the highest-paid footballer. The Portuguese superstar is set to make $125m in the 2021-22 season before taxes.

The last major tournament was the 2025 UEFA Nations League held in June 2025. Portugal beat the Spanish National Football team in a penalty shootout in the final match. Portugal’s National Team is the defending champion of the UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo still has more all-time career goals than Messi and Neymar.

• Age: 40
• Born: 5 February 1985
• Nationality: Portuguese
• Clubs: Al-Nassr FC (2022 – present); Manchester United (2021-2022); Juventus (2018-2021); Real Madrid (2009-2018); Manchester United (2003-09); Sporting Lisbon (2002-03)

• All-Time Career: 1301 Apps, 260 Assists and 957 Goals (Last Update: 1 January 2026)

• International: 143 Goals in 226 Apps with 37 Assists
• Senior Trophies: 36 in his Career (Last- 2025 UEFA Nations League – Portugal vs Spain)
• 66 Hat Tricks: 56 (Club) & 10 (International)
• La Liga: 311 Goals in 292 Apps
• Real Madrid: 450 Goals in 438 Apps
• Ballon d’Or wins: 5 (2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, and 2008)
• The Best FIFA Men’s Player: 2 wins (2016 and 2017)
• Champions League winners’ medals (5 Times): 2007–08 with Man Utd; 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18 with Real Madrid
• Top goal scorer in men’s international football: (138 goals in 221 matches)
• Top goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League: (140 goals in 183 Apps)

Club Career Statistics

Club	League		National Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Sporting CP 2002–03	27	3	3	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	33	5
Manchester United 2003–09, 2021–23	236	103	27	13	12	4	68	24	3	1	346	145
Real Madrid 2009–18	292	311	30	22	0	0	101	105	15	12	438	450
Juventus 2018–21	98	81	10	4	0	0	23	14	3	2	134	101
Al-Nassr 2023–25	88	87	8	3	0	0	18	14	12	9	126	113
Total 2002–25	741	585	78	44	12	4	213	157	33	24	1077	814
Ronaldo (Al-Nassr FC):  Appearances and goals by Competition, season, and Apps As of the last match played on 29 December) (Last Updated: 1 January 2026)

International Career Statistics

The senior career with all football Clubs, seasons, and competitions As of the match played on 13 November 2025 (Ireland vs Portugal)
Competition	Goals	Season	Apps
Portugal U15	7	2001	9
Portugal U17	5	2001–2002	7
Portugal U20	1	2002	5
Portugal U21	3	2002-2003	10
Portugal U23	2	2004	3
Portugal	143	2004-current	226
Total Career (Portugal)	161	2001-current	260

Neymar Jr || Santos || Brazil

Neymar, or Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, is one of Brazil’s most renowned football players and was a key figure at Barcelona, PSG and now Brazilian Football Club Santos. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, he is a Brazilian professional footballer who has played as a forward for the Brazilian club Santos.

After 700 games, Neymar has more assists than Messi and more goal contributions than Ronaldo at the same point in his career.

“As of 2025, Neymar remains one of football’s most marketable athletes, retaining the top spot globally in SportsPro’s annual “50 Most Marketable Athletes” list. He also ranks among the world’s top-paid athletes, earning around $110 million in 2024, placing him within the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally.

“As of now, Neymar is not officially a billionaire. His estimated net worth stands at around $350 million, based on earnings from transfers, high-profile salaries, endorsements, and business ventures.

Although media reports suggest he may inherit an anonymous Brazilian billionaire’s fortune—potentially worth over $1 billion—this inheritance is unverified and is still undergoing legal review in court. If validated and accepted, it could elevate him to billion-dollar status.”

Neymar still holds the title of football’s most expensive transfer—a whopping €222 million move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017, which remains the world transfer record. As of 2025, Neymar is no longer playing for PSG; instead, he signed with Al-Hilal in 2023. Therefore, statements about PSG being “the 4th most-paid footballer” or referring to his monthly earnings are outdated and incorrect.

• Age: 32
• Born: 5 February 1992
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Clubs: Santos (2025 – current), Al Hilal SFC (2023 – 25); Paris Saint-Germain (2017– 2023); Barcelona (2013–2017); Santos (2009–2013)
• All-Time Career: 747 Apps, 287 Assists and 450 Goals (Updated: 31 December 2025)
• 14: Senior Trophies in his Career (2 with Santos, 1 with Barcelona, 3 with PSG, and 8 with Brazil)
• 21: Hat Tricks
• Top Goal Scorer in 2014/15 UEFA Champions League – 10 Goals
• FIFA Club World Cup Winner
• Current Club Contract Expires: Jun 30, 2025
• Top goal scorer in Brazil men’s international football: 79 goals in 128 matches)
• Awards: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 3 (2010, 2011, 2012)

Club Records

At the start of his career with Santos. His impressive record of 136 goals in 225 matches for Santos led to his transfer to Barcelona in 2013. Neymar plays for PSG, but he was not involved in the club’s first Ligue 1 game in 2023/2024 due to the player rupturing his ACL.

Neymar set for Saudi move after Al Hilal agrees near-$100M transfer fee with PSG. Now, Neymar, eyeing the 2026 World Cup, announces his return to Brazil’s Santos.

Club Career Statistics

Neymar (Santos):  Appearances and Goals by Competition, Season, and Apps (Updated: Last Match – Fortaleza vs Santos – 31 December 2025)
Competition	Goals	Season	Apps
Paulista A1 (Santos)	136	2009-13	225
La Liga (Barcelona)	105	2013-17	186
Paris Saint-Germain	118	2017-23	173
Al Hilal	01	2023–25	07
Paulista A1 (Santos)	11	2025	28
Total	371	Career Total	619

International Career Statistics

A senior career involving international competition.

Neymar (Brazil): National team, year, and competition
Competition	Goals	Season	Apps
Brazil	79	2010-current	128
Total	79	2010-current	128

Continental Championship and Domestic Leagues & Cups

These stats cover Neymar’s club career with Santos, Barcelona, PSG, and Al-Hilal across all official competitions.

Competition	Goals	Apps
Continental	58	112
State league	57	83
National cup	36	47
League cup	3	6
Other (Club World Cup, etc.)	6	10

Messi vs Ronaldo head-to-head Goals and Stats in Games vs Each Other

Players	Apps	Assists	Goals
Messi	36	12	22
Ronaldo	36	1	21

UEFA Champions League Records by Year

Ronaldo is the leading Scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 140 goals in 183 appearances, and Messi is in second place with 129 goals in 163 appearances. Neymar scored 43 goals in 81 games in the UEFA Champions League.

Records	Ronaldo	Messi	Neymar
Appearances	183	163	81
Goals	140	129	43
Assists	42	41	34
Knockout Goals	67	49	14
Hat Trick	8	4	1
Titles Won	5 (2008 with Man United) (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Real Madrid)	4 (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 with Barcelona)	1 (2014-15 with Barcelona)

For over a decade, Ronaldo and Messi have ruled the UCL’s top scorer charts. Here are the career statistics and achievements of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before they left European soccer.

	Ronaldo			Messi
Year	Apps	Ass	Goals	Apps	Ass	Goals
2022-23	0	0	0	3	2	2
2021-22	7	0	6	7	0	5
2020-21	6	0	4	6	2	5
2019-20	8	0	4	8	3	4
2018-19	9	2	6	10	3	12
2017-18	13	3	15	10	2	6
2016-17	13	6	12	9	2	11
2015-16	12	4	16	7	1	6
2014-15	12	3	10	13	5	10
2013-14	11	4	17	7	0	3
2012-13	12	1	12	11	2	8
2011-12	10	3	10	11	5	14
2010-11	12	4	6	13	3	12
2008-09	12	2	4	12	5	9
2007-08	11	1	8	9	6	1
2006-07	11	5	3	5	0	1
2005-06	8	1	1	6	1	1
2004-05	8	2	0	1	0	0
2003-04	5	0	0	N/A	N/A	N/A
2002-03	3	1	0	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total	101	28	105	92	20	83

Champions League Records

• Most Goals: Cristiano Ronaldo (140 goals)
• Most Goals in a Single Season: Cristiano Ronaldo (17 goals in 2013/14)
• Most hat tricks: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (8 hat tricks)

European Golden Shoe Awards

When discussing the European Golden Shoe Awards, the debate around Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo career stats and achievements always takes centre stage. Both legends have dominated the award over the years, setting records that continue to shape football history.

Player	Year	Club	Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo – 4 Times	2007–08	Manchester United	31
	2010–11	Real Madrid	40
	2013–14	Real Madrid	31
	2014–15	Real Madrid	48
Lionel Messi – 6 Times	2009–10	Barcelona	34
	2011–12	Barcelona	50
	2012–13	Barcelona	46
	2016–17	Barcelona	37
	2017–18	Barcelona	34
	2018–19	Barcelona	36
Neymar	0 Time

Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar: Awards List all-time

When it comes to global football dominance, the rivalry between Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar Jr. extends beyond sheer skill—it’s reflected in their legendary awards and accolades.

From multiple Ballon d’Or titles and FIFA World Player honours to continental triumphs like World Cups, Copa América, and Olympic gold medals, each has built an extraordinary résumé that defines modern football greatness.

Award Category	Cristiano Ronaldo	Lionel Messi	Neymar Jr.
Ballon d’Or	5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)	8 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)	—
The Best FIFA / FIFA World Player	5 (incl. The Best FIFA: 2016, 2017; World Player: 2008)	7 (World Player/Ballon d’Or/The Best: includes 2022 & 2023)	—
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year	3 (2013‑14, 2015‑16, 2016‑17)	2 (2010‑11, 2014‑15)	—
European Golden Shoe	4 (2007‑08, 2010‑11, 2013‑14, 2014‑15)	6 (2009‑10, 2011‑12, 2012‑13, 2016‑17, 2017‑18, 2018‑19)	—
Puskás Award	1 (2009)	—	1 (2011)
FIFA FIFPro World 11	Multiple (2007–2017)	Included every year from 2007 to 2023	Selected in 2015 & 2017
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year	—	2 (2020, 2023)	—
South American Footballer of the Year	—	—	2 (2011, 2012)
FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball	—	—	2013
UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year	—	—	1 (2017–18)
Major Club & International Titles	Euro 2016, UEFA Nations League 2019/2025, 5× UEFA CL, multiple domestic crowns	World Cup 2022, Copa América ’21 & ’24, Olympic Gold 2008; 4× UEFA CL & 10× La Liga titles	Champions League 2015, Olympic Gold 2016, Confederations Cup 2013, Copa Libertadores 2011, multiple league titles

Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar Awards -2018 to 2025

Player	Awards 2018-25
Cristiano Ronaldo	The Best (x2), UEFA Player of the Year, Ballon d’Or, FIFA FIFPro World XI, UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, World Soccer Player of the Year, IFFHS World’s Best Top Goal Scorer, EA Sports FIFA Globe Soccer Maradona Award – 2023 433’s Player of the Year – 2024 Best Middle East Player – 2024
Lionel Messi	Winner of FIFA World Cup, La Liga top scorer, European Golden Shoe, Olimpia de Plata, FIFA FIFPro World XI, IFFHS World’s Best Top Division Goalscorer, Paris Saint-Germain (2021-24); Barcelona (2004-2021). MLS Most Valuable Player – 2024 Marca’s America Award – 2024 MLS Golden Boot – 2025
Neymar	Copa del Rey, Samba Gold, IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker, IFFHS Men’s World Team Samba d’Or 2022 Player Career Award – 2024

FIFA’s International Matches – Ronaldo vs Messi vs Neymar

International Career Records

FIFA World Cup Records

We are sharing the FIFA World Cup match history records, match Apps, Goals, and more. In the FIFA World Cup, Messi is the leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 13 goals, and Neymar won the Bronze Boot as the tournament’s third top goal scorer in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

All-time World Cup Qualifiers Stats

Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers. | Last Update – 20 November 2025

Matches	Ronaldo	Messi	Neymar Jr
World Cup Qualifiers	52 Apps, 11 Assists, 42 Goals	72 Apps, 13 Assists, 36 Goals	28 Apps, 19 Assists, 16 Goals

2022 FIFA World Cup Stats

Matches	Ronaldo	Messi	Neymar Jr
FIFA World Cup 2022	1 Goal in 5 matches	7 Goals in 7 matches	2 Goals in 3 matches

All-time FIFA World Cup Records

Head-to-head comparisons in the World Cup have been conducted among Neymar vs Messi vs Ronaldo.

Stats	Ronaldo	Messi	Neymar
FIFA World Cup 2022
CAPS	5	7	3
ASSISTS	0	3	0
GOAL	1	7	2
World Cup 2018
CAPS	4	4	5
ASSISTS	0	2	0
GOAL	4	1	2
World Cup 2014
CAPS	3	7	6
ASSISTS	1	1	1
GOAL	1	4	4
World Cup 2010
CAPS	4	5	N/A
ASSISTS	1	1	N/A
GOAL	1	0	N/A
World Cup 2006
CAPS	6	3	N/A
ASSISTS	0	1	N/A
GOAL	1	1	N/A
All-Time Combined Career Stats in the FIFA World Cup
CAPS	22	26	13
ASSISTS	2	8	3
GOAL	8	13	8

In the end, Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar have each transformed football in their own unique styles—one through strength and discipline, another with skill and imagination, and the third with flair and creativity. Their legacies will resonate for generations, long after the final whistle blows.

No matter which name is on your jersey, the real winners are the football fans who had the privilege of witnessing the peak brilliance of Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar.