Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo: Who has more appearances in international football?
Let us find out who between Messi and Ronaldo has the most number of appearances for their respective national team.
Follow Us
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Credits- Goat
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the biggest names in this generation of footballers. For over a decade and a half, both have been competing in top-flight football. Both are often compared with their respective stats over the famous ‘GOAT’ debate.
Leo Messi, so far, has played around 1050 for matches club and country. He has scored 813 goals and has 395 assists to his name. Whereas Ronaldo has played 1167 matches for club and country. He has scored 837 goals and has 268 assists under his belt. If compared, Ronaldo has played 117 matches more than Messi. The Portuguese superstar is also ahead of the Argentine maestro in the goals tally by 24 goals. Although Messi has 127 more assists than Ronaldo.
Ronaldo and Messi have both won quite a few trophies in their illustrious career. The Argentine has won 43 trophies. Although Ronaldo has won 34 trophies. Let us now take a look at the international career of the two greats.
A Look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s International Career with the Portugal National Team
Cristiano Ronaldo started his International career with Portugal’s senior team at the age of just 18. He has played 199 games for his country. Ronaldo has scored 122 goals and broke Ali Daei’s record who reportedly scored 109 goals for his country.
So far, the former Real Madrid striker has won the UEFA EURO Championship 2016 and UEFA Nations League in 2019 with Portugal. He also was a part of the 2004 EURO squad of Portugal who were the runners-up in the tournament. He has also been named the Footballer of the Year 14 times.
Although he has won quite a few things with his National Team, Ronaldo still craved the World Cup. He wanted to win the world cup this time in Qatar, as this might have been the last World Cup he played for Portugal he is 39 now and would be 41 at the next edition of the tournament in 2026. But his dream wasn’t fulfilled. Ronaldo’s Portugal was knocked out by Morocco in the Quarterfinals of the tournament.
A Glance at Lionel Messi’s international career with the Argentine National Team
Lionel Messi too made his international debut with Argentina Senior squad at the age of 18. The little magician has played 175 matches for his country and has scored 103 goals. He also has 56 assists to his name. He won the Olympic gold medal with Argentina in 2008-09. Messi has also won the COPA America with Argentina in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022 with Argentina.
Messi participated in 5 World Cups and has taken the team to the finals twice. He has also played six Copa America, out of which he took his National Team to the finals thrice. Messi has also won an under-20 World Cup with the Argentina U-20 team in 2005.
Messi had said many times that winning a World Cup for his nation was his dream. And at the age of 35, he finally achieved this after defeating a formidable opponent like France.
In case you missed:
Stay Updated!
Supratim Banerjee
(312 Articles Published)