The two great figures of modern soccer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have dominated all aspects of the sport since their debut and continue to make history where they still do not want to touch the doors of their retirement despite being 38 and 40 years old respectively. Both stars have smashed records and won domestic, regional and international championships. But always staying in great physical condition and avoiding injuries as much as possible.
With more than 20 years of sporting careers, there have been few days when both stars have stopped shining as a result of injuries; however, who has put more days on pause due to physical incapacity or serious injury? Although the spectre of injury has not been a constant problem for the two leading footballers of our era, both have suffered from this evil that always haunts footballers.
Lionel Messi is currently recovering from a muscle overload
The Inter Miami forward is currently on his team’s injured list after suffering a slight muscle injury in his right thigh, which has kept him out of a couple of matches, one in the Leagues Cup and another in MLS. According to Transfermarkt, Lionel Messi has spent 905 days injured, with the most serious injury being a metatarsal fracture that kept him out of action for 88 days and caused him to miss 19 games for Barcelona and the Argentina national team between November 2006 and February 2007.
At 38 years of age, the Argentine star is still in great physical condition where his contract with the Florida side will expire at the end of the 2025 season, although both parties remain in negotiations to string together one more year with the pink team and reach the 2026 World Cup active and ready to defend the World Cup won in the Qatar 2022 edition to win his second FIFA trophy and fourth for Argentina.
Cristiano Ronaldo has spent less time out injured or ill
Meanwhile, the pride of Portugal has spent a total of 482 days injured, considering everything from illnesses, coronavirus and even rest, to ankle surgery, a sprain and torn fibres. CR7’s worst injury was recorded between July and August 2008 when he missed 71 days of activity and eight matches between Manchester United and the Portugal national team due to ankle surgery.CR7 suffered an internal band strain that forced him to be substituted in the opening minutes of the Euro 2016 final and subsequently sent him to rest for 60 days, while Messi had to leave the Argentina national team in the final of the Copa America 2024 after suffering a sprained right ankle. Fortunately for both players, the result was resolved in favor of their teams despite their absence on the pitch.
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