2026 World Cup stats compared
For many, the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo debate was over when Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar.
It looked likely that would be the final chapter for the two era-defining rivals, but here we are again, with Messi and Ronaldo becoming the first players in the history of men’s football to play at six World Cups.
While Messi has little to prove at this stage, this is surely Ronaldo’s last chance to get his hands on one major trophy that’s always eluded him – and ultimately the reason his legacy looks likely to be overshadowed by his old foe.
Messi set down the gauntlet with six goals in his opening matches. This included a life-affirming hat-trick against Algeria.
It was a masterclass performance that earned him a perfect 10 rating from stats site WhoScored, as well as widespread adulation from across the world of football.
“Messi is a madman,” Erling Haaland, who’d scored two goals himself earlier that day, reacted on Snapchat.
His goal against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 classic was just as spectacular, minimalistic and emphatic in equal measure. He registered a goal and assist in the even wilder win over Egypt in the last 16.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, was pilloried for drawing a blank in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo.
He hit back with two goals against Uzbekistan and netted from the spot in the last 32 win over Croatia, but was unable to stop Portugal losing to Spain in the next round.
Here’s the full breakdown of their stats from the opening game. Keep checking back as we’ll be keeping this one updated throughout the tournament.
Lionel Messi
Games: 5
Minutes Played: 409
Goals: 8 ⭐
Assists: 1
Goal Contributions (G+A): 9 ⭐
Penalties scored: 0
Minutes per goal: 51.1 ⭐
Shots: 29 ⭐
Shots On Target: 17 ⭐
Dribbles Completed: 10
Passes Completed: 156 ⭐
Pass Completion: 80.8%
Chances Created: 15 ⭐
Successful Tackles: 6 ⭐
Touches: 330 ⭐
Touches In Opposition Box: 33⭐
Dispossessed: 11
FotMob Rating: 8.69 ⭐
SofaScore Rating: 9.2 ⭐
WhoScored Rating: 8.90 ⭐
Cristiano Ronaldo
Games: 5
Minutes Played: 441⭐
Goals: 3
Assists: 0
Goal Contributions (G+A): 3
Penalties scored: 1
Minutes per goal: 147
Shots: 18
Shots On Target: 9
Dribbles Completed: 0
Passes Completed: 85
Pass Completion: 84.2% ⭐
Chances Created: 1
Successful Tackles: 2
Touches: 138
Touches In Opposition Box: 21
Dispossessed: 2 ⭐
FotMob Rating: 7.24
SofaScore Rating: 7.02
WhoScored Rating: 6.94
READ NEXT: When will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo retire from professional football?
TRY A QUIZ: The Big Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo Quiz: The ultimate test of who has more goals, assists, trophies…
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