We’re nearing the end of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s careers but the two players who have bestrode a generation aren’t winding down just yet.

Both Messi and Ronaldo switched clubs last summer; while Messi made a tearful exit from Barcelona and joined PSG, Ronaldo made a sensational return to Manchester United after spending three years in Serie A with Juventus.

It could be claimed that it hasn’t gone to plan for either of them. While Messi hasn’t yet lit up Ligue 1, Ronaldo has been part of United’s disappointing season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

Yet both players have produced moments of class to remind football followers of their prowess and neither has been a total failure at their new club – but who’s been superior?

We’ve crunched the numbers to see which of Messi and Ronaldo is enjoying the better 2021-22 season, both domestically and in the Champions League.

Lionel Messi (PSG 2021-22)
Overall Stats

Games: 20
Goals: 7
Assists: 8
Penalties scored: 2

Minutes per goal: 230.3
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 322.4
Minutes per goal or assist: 107.5

Ligue 1 Stats

Games: 14
Goals: 2
Assists: 8
Penalties scored: 0

Minutes per goal: 536
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 268
Minutes per goal or assist: 107.2

Chances created per 90 minutes: 3.0
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 66.3 (85.7%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 4.3 (1.6)
Pressing per 90 mins (success rate): 8.74 (24%)

Champions League Stats

Games: 5
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Penalties scored: 2

Minutes per goal: 90
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 150
Minutes per goal or assist: 150

Chances created per 90 minutes: 1.6
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 57.0 (87.7%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 3.0 (1.6)
Pressing per 90 mins (success rate): 9.0 (35.6%)


Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd 2021-22)
Overall Stats

Games: 26
Goals: 14
Assists: 3
Penalties scored: 2

Minutes per goal: 145.2
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 169.4
Minutes per goal or assist: 119.6

Premier League Stats

Games: 19
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Penalties scored: 2

Minutes per goal: 185.1
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 246.8
Minutes per goal or assist: 134.6

Chances created per 90 minutes: 0.9
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 31.4 (80.3%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 4.0 (2.9)
Pressing per 90 mins (success rate): 6.46 (30.2%)

Champions League Stats

Games: 5
Goals: 6
Assists: 0
Penalties scored: 0

Minutes per goal: 72.0
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 72.0
Minutes per goal or assist: 72.0

Chances created per 90 minutes: 1.9
Passes per 90 mins (passing accuracy): 30.0 (83.3%)
Shots per 90 minutes (inside penalty area): 4.2 (2.7)
Pressing per 90 mins (success rate): 6.88 (18.2%)

https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/comparing-lionel-messi-psg-record-with-cristiano-ronaldo-at-man-utd-in-2021-22/

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