In a clash of records and achievements, Messi emerges victorious, claiming 42 Guinness World Records titles compared to Ronaldo’s still impressive tally of 40. While the debate of which of these two iconic players is the greatest has captivated fans worldwide, when it comes to raw data and the available statistics, Messi’s dominance becomes evident.
Messi’s club career, predominantly spent at Barcelona, has seen him break numerous La Liga records. With an unmatched 520 appearances in the Spanish league, he holds almost every individual record, including the most goals scored in a La Liga career (474) and the most hat-tricks (36). While Ronaldo has demonstrated his undeniable quality in the UEFA Champions League, setting records such as the most goals (140) and most assists (42), Messi’s all-round accomplishments in both domestic and international competitions put him ahead.
Their race for the greatest ever extends beyond their performances on the field, as both players have made an impact on social media and their bank accounts reflect this reality. Ronaldo reigns as the most followed athlete on Facebook and Instagram, with a staggering 596 million followers on the latter platform alone. Meanwhile, Messi’s victory in the 2022 World Cup led to the most-liked post in Instagram history.
In terms of earnings, both players have topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes multiple times, showcasing their financial success off the pitch. While the GWR data give the edge to Messi, it will be insufficient to bring an end to the very divisive debates that have characterised the rivalry of their fan bases any time soon.
The future of football holds a promising array of young talents, including Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Jesse Lingard, who are poised to challenge the existing records. These budding stars are determined to leave their mark on the game and aim to surpass the achievements of Messi and Ronaldo in the years to come.
