Messi and Ronaldo Battle for Supremacy: Who's Dominating 2025?

The legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is approaching its twilight, with 2025 potentially marking one of the last seasons both icons will compete on the football pitch.

Though the fierce competition between them has softened following their exits from European football, devoted supporters continue to wage passionate debates across social platforms about who deserves the GOAT title.

Even at their advanced ages, both Messi and Ronaldo delivered productive campaigns with Inter Miami and Al Nassr respectively, while also contributing to their national squads. They continue to defy age-related limitations on their performance.

Below is an analysis of how these iconic strikers performed throughout 2025.

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Club Goals & Assists in 2025

Given that Major League Soccer operates on a calendar year schedule while the Saudi Pro League spans across two different years, Messi naturally featured in more fixtures than Ronaldo during 2025. The Argentinian appeared 49 times for Miami across all tournaments, whereas his rival accumulated 37 total appearances for Al Nassr.

Consequently, Messi found the net more frequently, delivering a remarkable 43 goals in North America, compared to Ronaldo's equally outstanding 33 strikes. Both players maintained nearly a goal-per-match average for their clubs, which seems expected considering their exceptional talent in leagues less competitive than Europe's top divisions.

Nevertheless, their playmaking abilities show a stark contrast. Messi provided 25 assists for Inter Miami, roughly one every two matches, while Ronaldo contributed merely four throughout all of 2025. It appears the Portuguese legend's primary role at Al Nassr focuses solely on goalscoring.

Messi's overall contribution rate proves more impressive, with the 38-year-old delivering a goal or assist every 61 minutes on the field for Miami. Ronaldo's rate stands at one contribution per 86 minutes—still a remarkable achievement.

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: International Goals & Assists in 2025

The absence of major international competitions in 2025 resulted in limited opportunities for both Messi and Ronaldo. The Argentine made only five appearances for his national team after skipping the March international window and missing fixtures in September and October.

Despite his reduced participation with La Albiceleste, Messi still achieved six goal contributions across those five matches—though four occurred in friendly encounters against weaker opponents Puerto Rico and Angola. His competitive goals came via a double against Venezuela in 2026 World Cup qualification.

Ronaldo featured more consistently for Portugal with nine appearances in 2025, demonstrating his continued value to Roberto Martínez despite ongoing debates about his effectiveness. International football's all-time leading scorer added eight more goals to his record throughout the year, with five coming in World Cup qualifying matches.

Ronaldo also netted three times during Portugal's victorious UEFA Nations League run, scoring in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final, though he did receive his first-ever international red card for an altercation in Portugal's loss to the Republic of Ireland in November.

Trophies Won by Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo in 2025

Having departed Europe's elite clubs, both Messi and Ronaldo found silverware more elusive in recent years. Each secured just one trophy in 2025, with Messi succeeding at club level and Ronaldo achieving international glory.

The former Real Madrid forward claimed the year's first title by leading Portugal to the 2024–25 Nations League championship, scoring the vital equalizer that forced the final against Spain into extra time and penalties. Although Ronaldo was substituted before the shootout, his teammates helped him secure a third international honor.

Argentina had no tournaments available in 2025 after capturing the Copa América in 2024, but Messi expanded his trophy collection with Inter Miami. The ex-Barcelona maestro spearheaded the club's MLS Cup triumph, contributing an exceptional 58 goals and assists across just 34 league appearances.