How many times have Messi and Ronaldo played each other?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two greatest football superstars in history, have created an iconic rivalry for more than a decade. The question “how many times have Messi and Ronaldo played each other” not only arouses the curiosity of fans, but also recalls the 36 top confrontations between them, from club matches to the national team. These encounters are not only a contest between two outstanding individuals but also represent the difference in playing style, bringing the most memorable moments in football history. From the Champions League to El Clasico, each time they meet, they leave an unforgettable mark. Join Kingsoccertips to learn about the clashes of these two top players!
Messi vs Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have met a total of 36 times at both club and international levels. The only player Ronaldo has faced as often is Andrés Iniesta. For Messi, he has faced three other opponents more frequently than Ronaldo: Sergio Ramos, Diego Godín, and Karim Benzema.
Their first encounter took place on April 23, 2008, when 20-year-old Messi faced 23-year-old Ronaldo in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, which ended in a goalless draw. Their most recent meeting came when Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot in Juventus’ 3-0 win over Barcelona in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage.
Messi leads the head-to-head record with 16 wins to Ronaldo’s 11, and they have shared nine draws. Messi has scored 22 goals, one more than Ronaldo, and also leads in assists with 11 compared to Ronaldo’s single assist.
The two have met five times in Champions League knockout stages: the 2007-08 and 2010-11 semi-finals (Barca vs Manchester United and Real Madrid, respectively), and the 2008-09 final in Rome, where Messi scored in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Ronaldo’s Manchester United.
While Ronaldo holds the record for most Champions League goals with 140, his two penalties against Barcelona in the 2020-21 group stage marked his first (and only) goals in the competition while playing alongside Messi, who has scored three times in European encounters against teams featuring Ronaldo.
Messi, with 129 Champions League goals, is still active in the competition and will likely need to play in next season’s tournament if he is to surpass Ronaldo’s record.
I found a reliable football betting site that offers competitive odds and live match updates for major tournaments
Most memorable encounters
There have been some truly memorable encounters among the 36 times Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have faced each other. Here are six of the best.
1. Champions League Final (Manchester United 0-2 Barcelona, 27 May 2009)
The 2009 UEFA Champions League Final in Rome was widely regarded as the pinnacle of the rivalry between the two best players in the world at the time: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi was in scintillating form in the match, helping Barcelona dominate and keep a safe distance from Manchester United. Barca’s solid coordination and superior ball control kept their opponents from turning the game around.
Barcelona won 2-0 thanks to Samuel Eto’o’s opener and a rare header from Lionel Messi, a rare sight for the Argentine superstar. This result not only brought the UEFA Champions League title to Barca but also helped them complete the historic treble of the 2008/09 season with La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. This was the first time a Spanish team had achieved this great achievement, marking the golden era of Barcelona under coach Pep Guardiola.
2. ‘La Manita’ (Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 29/11/2010)
The match was seen as a huge test for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two best players in the world at the time, both Ballon d’Or winners. However, the El Clásico at Camp Nou did not go according to Real Madrid’s expectations. Instead, Barcelona produced a historic performance against Jose Mourinho’s team. Messi did not score but played an important role with two assists, contributing greatly to Barca’s victory over Real Madrid, who were leading La Liga and unbeaten in the previous seven matches.
Barcelona’s convincing 5-0 victory not only humiliated their opponents but also became an unforgettable mark in El Clásico history. The image of Gerard Piqué raising his hand with the “Manita” – a five-fingered symbol representing five goals – immortalised the match, sending a proud message to the entire football world. It was also a testament to the absolute dominance of Barca under Pep Guardiola, while Real Madrid and Mourinho faced bitter disappointment.
3. Ronaldo’s Revenge (Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona, 20 April 2011)
Cristiano Ronaldo finally beat Barcelona for Real Madrid in their fifth final. The Portuguese superstar scored a powerful header in the 103rd minute to become the hero for Los Blancos as they lifted the Copa del Rey. The victory not only ended Real’s disappointing run against Barca, but also confirmed Ronaldo’s crucial role in the decisive moments.
However, the final at the Mestalla came against the backdrop of a gruelling schedule for Barcelona, as they played four El Clásicos in just three weeks. The run culminated in Barca reaching the Champions League final after beating Real Madrid, continuing their dominance over their arch-rivals. However, Ronaldo’s shining moment at the Copa del Rey remains a memorable highlight in the competitive journey between the two Spanish giants.
4. Cristiano calls for ‘calm’ (Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid, 21/4/2012)
Cristiano Ronaldo once again showed his class as Real Madrid faced Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the final stages of the 2011-12 La Liga season. The match was crucial to the title race, and Barca all but gave up hope of defending their title after Ronaldo scored the decisive goal to give Real a 2-1 win. The result extended Los Blancos’ lead to seven points with four games remaining.
Ronaldo’s goal was not only important in terms of points but also symbolic. After scoring, he confidently flashed the ‘calm down’ sign, an unusual but heroic way of celebrating. The strike also saw Real Madrid reach a historic milestone with their 109th goal of the season, breaking the La Liga scoring record. Just a short time later, coach Jose Mourinho and his team were officially crowned champions, ending an impressive season with the La Liga title.
5. Copa disaster at Camp Nou (Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid, 26 February 2013)
Cristiano Ronaldo continued to bring sorrow to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey with a brilliant performance, helping Real Madrid overcome their arch-rivals to advance to the final. After the first leg at the Bernabeu ended in a 1-1 draw, Ronaldo shone brightly in the return leg at Camp Nou. He opened the scoring with a penalty after winning the opportunity himself after being fouled by Gerard Piqué.
Not stopping there, the Portuguese superstar continued to make his mark with a tricky header, bringing the score to 2-0, almost deciding the match himself. In the end, Real won 3-1, overcoming Barca to secure a place in the Copa del Rey final. Ronaldo’s performance in this match not only affirmed his class but also solidified his position as an excellent player in big matches.
6. Shirt Celebration (Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona, 23 April 2017)
Lionel Messi was in the spotlight once again as his 92nd-minute winner secured Barcelona a thrilling win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, keeping their La Liga title hopes alive. Having already scored in the first half, Messi continued to show his cool and class when it mattered most. He scored the winner in a hostile atmosphere, then celebrated symbolically by raising his shirt to the Real Madrid fans, an undeniable reminder of his name.
The rivalry between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together in Spain has been a memorable chapter in footballing history. A staggering statistic reflects the intensity of the rivalry: in the nine years Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other in La Liga, not a single El Clásico has ended without a goal. This further highlights the explosiveness and irresistible appeal whenever the two superstars face off.
The big picture
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has become an icon of modern football, with the question “how many times have Messi and Ronaldo played each other” always reminding of dramatic and emotional matches. 36 confrontations are 36 memorable stories, where both not only demonstrated their outstanding talent but also pushed each other to reach new heights. Whether at the club or national team level, each meeting between them became the focus of global fans. This rivalry not only honors the value of sport but also affirms the legacy of two legends, enriching football history and leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of football lovers.
Post Related
