Comparing Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami record with Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Al Nassr

Ben Stewart • 15 Sep 2023

With Lionel Messi now playing in the United States and Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, we couldn’t help but compare their records for their new clubs.

Whichever side of the debate you sit on, you can’t deny that both players have changed our perspective on what it takes to be considered an all-time great.

The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry is one unlike anything else we have ever seen in the sport and we have all been lucky enough to live through this fabulous era of football.

Both players have won countless team and individual accolades and they now continue to produce the magic outside of Europe. Even Ronaldo recently admitted that his long-standing rivalry with Messi has now come to an end.

“Hatred? I don’t see things like that, the rivalry is gone,” Ronaldo told reporters when asked if fans who love him have to hate Messi. “It was good, spectators liked it.

“Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi and vice versa. We’ve done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing.

“He’s followed his path and I have followed mine, regardless of playing outside of Europe. From what I’ve seen, he’s been doing well and so have I. The legacy lives on, but I don’t see the rivalry like that.

“We shared the stage many times, it was 15 years. I’m not saying we’re friends, I’ve never had dinner with him, but we’re professional colleagues and we respect each other.”

It’s not taken long for either player to have a significant impact at their new club as they have both managed to get their hands on some silverware.

Messi led his Inter Miami side to a triumph in the Leagues Cup which happened to be the first trophy in the history of the club. The 36-year-old will now be eyeing up a spot in the MLS playoffs.

Elsewhere, Ronaldo has also had some success in his early days with Al Nassr. Despite the Saudi side just falling short of the league title in 2022-23, they were triumphant in the Arab Club Champions Cup.

Despite Ronaldo claiming the rivalry between himself and Messi is now over, we couldn’t help but compare their records at their new clubs with one another.