Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are undoubtedly two of the greatest players in the history of the Champions League.
The modern-day icons are the only two men to have scored more than 100 goals in the European Cup. They’re way out in front as the competition’s all-time top two goalscorers.
Manchester United and Real Madrid icon Ronaldo is out in front with 141 Champions League goals. He’s won the competition five times, once with United and four times with Madrid, but won’t be lifting it or adding to his goal tally in 2022-23.
Ronaldo is playing outside of the Champions League for the first time in his career this season with United. He was reportedly eager to leave Old Trafford in the summer, in search of a club that could offer him continuation in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Indeed, it’s said that the 37-year-old Portugal international is concerned about his record in the competition getting eclipsed by his long-standing rival Messi.
Messi is looking to lift ol’ big ears for a fifth time this season. He first won it as a teenager all the way back in 2006, although an injury kept him out of the latter knockout stages that year.
He was then front and central to Barcelona’s success as they won it again in 2009, 2011 and 2015, two of which were historic treble-winning campaigns.
Now the Argentinian is hoping to win it with a second club, and help Paris Saint-Germain lift it for the first time in their history.
But how do the two legends of the game compare in the famous competition? We’ve taken a look at their Champions League records Europe to see how they stack up against one another.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Games: 187
Starts: 182
Sub appearances: 5
Goals: 141
Assists: 41
Penalties scored: 19/22
Hat-tricks: 12
Free-kicks: 8
Minutes per goal: 114.9
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 132.7
Minutes per goal or assist: 89.0
⏪ Cristiano Ronaldo in unstoppable form back in 2008…#TBT | #UCL pic.twitter.com/MlBziooY65
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 14, 2022
Lionel Messi
Games: 158
Starts: 145
Sub appearances: 13
Goals: 126
Assists: 36
Penalties scored: 18/23
Hat-tricks: 8
Free-kicks: 5
Minutes per goal: 104.2
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 121.6
Minutes per goal or assist: 81.1
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