The debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to captivate football fans worldwide. One of the most discussed statistics is their goal tally — who has scored more? Both players have etched their names into football history with staggering numbers, but let’s break down the current state of their goal-scoring records as of 2025.
Total Career Goals (As of May 2025)
| Player | Club Goals | International Goals | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 738 | 128 | 866 |
| Lionel Messi | 722 | 106 | 828 |
Note: These numbers reflect competitive matches for club and country, including league, cup, and international tournaments.
Key Highlights
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Cristiano Ronaldo remains the all-time top scorer in men’s international football, surpassing Iran’s Ali Daei.
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Lionel Messi boasts the highest number of goals scored for a single club — FC Barcelona.
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Ronaldo has played for clubs in Portugal, England, Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.
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Messi has played mostly for Barcelona and now continues his legacy at Inter Miami.
Who Is More Efficient?
While Ronaldo leads in total goals, Messi has a higher goal-to-game ratio, thanks to his creative playstyle and team-oriented approach. Messi is also known for being a top assist provider.
| Metric | Messi | Ronaldo |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | ~1,040 | ~1,170 |
| Goal-per-game Ratio | 0.79 | 0.74 |
| Career Assists | 350+ | 230+ |
Conclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the edge in total goals scored, while Lionel Messi shines with his efficiency and playmaking. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference — one is a goal machine, the other an artist on the pitch.
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