The Biggest Stage
MESSI vs RONALDO
World Cup Stats
📊 Last Updated: July 19, 2026 • Source: Official Stats
World Cup Goals
Across six tournaments
World Cup Assists
All-time record
Appearances
All-time record
World Cups Won
2022 (runner-up in 2026)
World Cup 2026: Messi's Final Chapter
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on Sunday, July 19 — the same opponent that eliminated Ronaldo's Portugal in the Round of 16
Group Stage · Jun 16
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Messi hat-trick — equalled Klose's all-time record of 16 WC goals
Group Stage · Jun 22
Argentina 2-0 Austria
2 goals — became the all-time World Cup top scorer
Group Stage · Jun 27
Jordan 1-3 Argentina
1 goal off the bench
Round of 32 · Jul 3
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde AET
His 20th World Cup goal, 120 minutes played
Round of 16 · Jul 7
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
1 goal in a comeback from two down
Quarter-final · Jul 11
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland AET
1 assist, his 10th at World Cups — another record (4 assists in the tournament overall)
Semi-final · Jul 15
Argentina 2-1 England
2 assists in a comeback win
Final · Jul 19
Spain 1-0 Argentina AET
Ferran Torres won it in the 106th minute; Messi played all 120 minutes but couldn't find a way through in his third World Cup final
Ronaldo at World Cup 2026
5 matches, 3 goals — two against Uzbekistan (5-0) and his first World Cup knockout goal, a penalty against Croatia (2-1) — before Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the Round of 16. At 41, it was likely his sixth and final World Cup.
Every World Cup Compared (2006-2026)
| Edition | Messi (MP · G · A) | Result | Ronaldo (MP · G · A) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Germany | 3 · 1 · 1 | Quarter-finals | 6 · 1 · 0 | Fourth place |
| 2010 South Africa | 5 · 0 · 1 | Quarter-finals | 4 · 1 · 1 | Round of 16 |
| 2014 Brazil | 7 · 4 · 1 | FinalGolden Ball | 3 · 1 · 1 | Group stage |
| 2018 Russia | 4 · 1 · 2 | Round of 16 | 4 · 4 · 0 | Round of 16Oldest WC hat-trick scorer |
| 2022 Qatar | 7 · 7 · 3 | WinnerGolden Ball | 5 · 1 · 0 | Quarter-finalsFirst to score at 5 World Cups |
| 2026 USA/Canada/Mexico | 8 · 8 · 4 | FinalRunner-up; first player to start three World Cup finals | 5 · 3 · 0 | Round of 16 |
World Cup Goals by Tournament
World Cup Records Held
Messi
- 🥇 Most World Cup appearances — 34
- 🥇 Most World Cup assists — 12
- 🥇 Only two-time Golden Ball winner — 2014 and 2022
- 🥇 Only player to start three World Cup finals — 2014, 2022, 2026
- 21 World Cup goals across six tournaments (passed Klose's 16 in 2026)
Ronaldo
- 🥇 First to score at five World Cups — 2006 through 2022
- 🥇 Oldest hat-trick in World Cup history — vs Spain, 2018 (age 33)
- 🥇 Most World Cup qualifying goals — 41
- 🥇 Six World Cup squads — 2006 through 2026
World Cup FAQ
Who has more World Cup goals, Messi or Ronaldo?
Lionel Messi has 21 World Cup goals while Cristiano Ronaldo has 11. Messi passed Miroslav Klose's long-standing record of 16 during the 2026 World Cup.
How many World Cups has Messi won?
Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, beating France on penalties in the final. He returned to the final in 2026 but lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time, finishing as runner-up. He also reached the 2014 final, winning the Golden Ball at both the 2014 and 2022 tournaments — and became the first player to start three World Cup finals.
Did Ronaldo ever win a World Cup?
No. Cristiano Ronaldo's best World Cup finish was fourth place in 2006. He is the first player to score at five different World Cups (2006-2022), and his 11 total World Cup goals across six tournaments include the oldest hat-trick in World Cup history (against Spain in 2018, aged 33).
Who has more World Cup assists, Messi or Ronaldo?
Messi has 12 World Cup assists, the all-time record, against Ronaldo's 2. Messi is the only player to record an assist at five different World Cups.
Who has more World Cup appearances?
Messi has 34 World Cup appearances — the all-time record — across six tournaments (2006-2026). Ronaldo has 27 appearances, also across six tournaments.