Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi – Who has the best stats in major tournaments?

Goal looks at Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s stats in major international competitions

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s run at Euro 2020 ended after losing 1-0 to Belgium in the round of 16. The Portuguese talisman scored five times in four appearances at the Euro, setting several records. With his first goal in the tournament against Hungary, he surpassed Michel Platini’s nine goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 14 goals to his credit.

Ronaldo also became the all-time leading scorer in international soccer by matching Iranian legend Ali Daei’s total of 109 goals.

But it’s not just the Portuguese star who is creating records.

His closest rival Lionel Messi also made headlines for his exploits with Argentina at the 2021 Copa America.

Messi scored four goals in the Copa America and took his international goal total to 76, becoming the ninth highest scorer of all time. Most importantly, he played a huge role in helping Argentina win its first major title after a 28-year gap.

As the two great players continue to set new records towards the end of their careers, we look at the number of goals the two superstars scored in major international competitions and how many of those goals came from free kicks and penalty kicks.

It’s worth noting that even though Ronaldo’s Euro trip is over, Messi’s Argentina won the Copa America by beating Brazil 1-0.

How many goals have Messi and Ronaldo scored from free kicks?

Messi has scored more goals from free kicks in major international competitions. The Argentine scored a free kick goal in the 2014 World Cup and converted three free kicks in Copa America, two in 2016 and one in 2021. The only penalty goal he scored was in Copa America 2015.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored only one free kick goal in the 2018 World Cup against Spain. His three penalties came at the 2018 World Cup (1) and Euro 2020 (2)