CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi are set to rekindle their rivalry on Wednesday night when Juventus host Barcelona in the Champions League.
For a decade, the GOAT rivals went toe-to-toe in LaLiga, with Ronaldo at Real Madrid and Messi at Barca.
How Messi and Ronaldo compare ahead of Juve vs Barca
Ronaldo and Messi will do battle on the pitch for the 36th time on WednesdayCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Portuguese star, 35, briefly ended their rivalry as he moved to Juve in a £99million deal in 2018.
But, just over two years later, the pair are set to do battle in their bid to determine who is really the greatest footballer ever once more – with Ronaldo’s participation dependant on him passing his THIRD test for coronavirus following two positive results.
We take a look at who is REALLY best, according to the numbers.
Two years Messi’s senior, Ronaldo has played more matches – at both club and international level.
Despite that, Messi is hot on his rival’s tail in terms of club goals – sitting just five behind on 636, to Ronaldo’s 641.
In terms of goals per club game, the Argentine is far superior at an outrageous 0.86, to Ronaldo’s 0.75.
Internationally though, it’s the Portuguese star who comes out trumps.
Ronaldo has scored a legendary 101 goals in 167 games for his nation – at a rate of 0.6 goals per game.
Messi, meanwhile, has enjoyed a little less success – with 71 goals in 140 matches – for a record of 0.51 goals per game.
In terms of club trophies, Messi is king having taken home 34 in his illustrious career – including ten LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.
Ronaldo sits a few back on 28, including seven top-flight titles in England (Manchester United), Spain (Real Madrid) and Italy (Juventus).
He has also bagged five Champions League crowns, including four while at Real.
Messi has not won any senior international trophies – but did clinch Olympic gold at Beijing 2008, as well as the Under-20s World Cup in 2005.
Messi and Ronaldo are set to lock horns once again this week
But Ronaldo has helped Portugal to TWO pieces of silverware – at Euro 2016 and in the 2018-19 Nations League.
Individually, Messi has edged ahead of Ronaldo in terms of Ballons d’Or won – with six, to Ronaldo’s five.
But how have the pair fared in terms of head-to-head matches?
The duo have played each other 35 times, with Messi winning 16 and losing just ten – with the other nine matches drawn.
Why didn’t Cristiano Ronaldo play for Juventus against Verona and will he return for Barcelona match?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
