Comparing Lionel Messi’s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s records in 2024 so far

Nestor Watach • 24 Oct 2024

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are winding down their legendary careers away from the spotlight of elite European football, but the pair have continued to produce the goods in Asia and North America respectively.

We’ve crunched the numbers and taken a look at their stats from the calendar year so far, comparing how they’ve fared for club and country in 2024.

Ronaldo, 39 now, has played more matches and minutes, having played a schedule with Al Nassr more akin to the European schedule. The 2023-24 campaign was Ronaldo’s first full season in Saudi Arabia, and he ended it as the top flight’s top scorer by a considerable distance with 35 goals in 31 appearances.

No player in world football scored more goals last season than Ronaldo, and he’s not slowed down this season with nine goals in his first 11 appearances for Al Nassr this season.

However, he’s been conspicuously lacking in silverware so far in 2024 – Al Nassr finished a distant second to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal. They also lost the Saudi King Cup of Champions final to Al-Hilal and Portugal fell short at Euro 2024.

Messi, meanwhile, didn’t get his 2024 underway until February, when the 2024 MLS campaign began. This is first full season in America and he’s been treating MLS viewers to some vintage displays, with 22 goals and 12 assists in just 22 appearances for Inter Miami this season.

Unlike Ronaldo, Messi has also got his hands on plenty of silverware this year at both club and international level.

During the summer, he captained Argentina to their 16th Copa America title and he’s also won the Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami this year too.

While the regular MLS season has now come to an end, Messi will have the chance to add another trophy to his collection before the year ends as Inter Miami are currently gearing up for the MLS playoffs.

Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry defined a generation. Nowadays it can’t be said they’re quite at the vanguard of the top of the game anymore, but their output remains ridiculous. How do they stack up against one another at this point, though?

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Here’s how their records compare in 2024: