Lionel Messi and Cristiano RonaldoTwo of the three top international players in terms of caps, but how do their stats stack up over their past 100 games? We’ve analyzed the data.
As both athletes approach the latter stages of their professional lives, we can only sit back and appreciate their performances while they are still at the top of their game.
Ronaldo remains Portugal’s leading figure, even as he enters his forties, while Messi is likely still Argentina’s most crucial player at 38 years old.
For the scope of this article, we have examined the international records of Argentina and Portugal from their most recent 100 matches.
Regarding Messi, his past 100 matches date back to November 2014, just after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final in Brazil against Germany.
Since that time, he has played 100 matches for Argentina, netted 70 goals, and delivered 34 assists, translating to a goal-related action every 81 minutes.
Within that period, he has also secured four trophies with Argentina, such as the World Cup, two Copa America victories, and the Finalissima.
Out of his 70 goals, 15 came from penalties, eight were scored via free kicks, and eight were open-play goals taken from outside the penalty area.
As he prepares for the 2026 World Cup, he has been performing exceptionally well, netting three goals and delivering three assists in his past three matches with the national team.
On the other hand, Ronaldo also has an outstanding international performance record in his past 100 matches for Portugal.
His final 100 appearances date back to June 2016, during the beginning of Euro 2016, which Portugal ultimately secured victory in.
During that period, CR7 netted 85 goals and delivered 15 assists, averaging a goal contribution every 82.6 minutes, remarkably similar to Messi’s achievement.
Out of his 100 goals, 18 came from penalties, five were scored via free kicks, and seven were open-play goals taken from outside the penalty area.
Similar to Messi, Ronaldo has also secured international silverware within his last 100 matches, having claimed victory in Euro 2016 and the Nations League twice.
He holds the record for the top-scoring international player ever, having scored 143 goals and continues to increase his count even now.
In his past eight matches with Portugal, he has netted eight goals and remains an essential figure under Roberto Martinez’s leadership.
Nevertheless, following a straight red card in his previous match against Ireland, there is a chance he might be absent from Portugal’s first game in the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal has the option to challenge that ruling, but for now, he will be required to serve a suspension in all FIFA-organized international matches.
Here is a complete analysis of how Messi’s and Ronaldo’s international records stack up over their past 100 games.
Lionel Messi
Games: 100
Goals: 70
Assists: 34
Goals + assists: 104
Penalties: 15
Free-kicks: 8
Minutes per goal: 120.4
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 153.2
Goals or assists per minute: 81.0
Cristiano Ronaldo
Games: 100
Goals: 85
Assists: 15
Goals + assists: 100
Penalties: 18
Free-kicks: 5
Minutes per goal: 97.2
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 123.4
Goals or assists per minute: 82.7
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