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How Lionel Messi’s 2021 Copa America compares to Ronaldo’s Euro 2016

After winning numerous honours at club level, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have finally won major international trophies.

While both players failed to score in the final, Ronaldo lifted the European Championships with Portugal in 2016 and Messi led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021.

We’ve compared Messi’s stats at the 2021 Copa America with Ronaldo’s at Euro 2016 to see who had the better tournament.

As the stats show, the pair both scored three non-penalty goals during the tournaments, with Messi also scoring another goal from the spot.

But the Barcelona legend averages a direct goal contribution on a more regular basis than Ronaldo due to his five assists at the Copa America.

Lionel Messi

Games: 7
Starts: 7
Sub appearances: 0

Goals: 4
Assists: 5

Free-kicks scored: 2
Penalties scored: 1

Minutes per goal: 157.5
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 210
Minutes per goal or assist: 70

READ: Messi ‘removes thorn’ with Copa glory, but he’s never won or lost alone

Cristiano Ronaldo

Games: 7
Starts: 7
Sub appearances: 0

Goals: 3
Assists: 2

Free-kicks scored: 0
Penalties scored: 0

Minutes per goal: 208.3
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 208.3
Minutes per goal or assist: 125


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