Lionel Messi‘s arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) has revolutionized Inter Miami and elevated the competitive profile of the entire league. So far in 2025, the Argentine has played 47 official matches in which he has scored 39 goals, 37 of them with the Florida team and two more with the Argentina national team in international matches.
Messi has been decisive for his goalscoring ability, also with his creative role, being one assist away from reaching 400 in his career. In 43 matches with Inter Miami, he has demonstrated his precision, vision and leadership, factors that have been key in the transformation of the team and what continues to position him among the best soccer players in the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo shines in Saudi Arabia: numbers at Al Nassr and Portugal
On the other side of the world, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to have a high-level season with Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. In 2025, he has 33 goals in 37 official matches, distributed in 24 with the Saudi club and eight international goals with his country. He also recently became the top scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifying history with 41 goals.
His ability to finish goal-scoring plays remains intact, and Cristiano combines his offensive instinct with a remarkable physical condition, being a constant threat to opposing defenses, so his presence continues to make a difference in local competitions as well as internationally.
Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo 2025: goals, matches and effectiveness outside Europe
Although they no longer share the same league or play on the old continent, the comparison between the two players is still inevitable. So far this year, Messi has played 10 more games than Ronaldo, although the Portuguese has a better goal-scoring average per game:
- Lionel Messi: 47 games – 39 goals
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 37 games – 33 goals
While Lionel Messi stands out for his consistency and versatility on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to maintain his goalscoring prowess with great efficiency. The 2025 season has confirmed that both footballers are still in good shape despite being in the twilight of their careers, maintaining elite numbers and performing at their best for their clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s most recent achievements as the top scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Messi’s as the top assist provider in international football history show why these players seem to be from another planet and, above all, why they are considered legends and footballers who dominate the sport.
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