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One of the greatest players of the modern generation and one of the greatest players to have played the game, Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a trophy-laden career.
The debate goes on as to who is the better player between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with both players having already established their legacy in football.
Fans of both players have their own opinions about who is better, but there is little chance that we see a rivalry like this anytime soon in the game.
We look at:
5 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo has had a better career than Lionel Messi
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo has more international goals
Cristiano Ronaldo has been on top of his game on the international stage and is arguably the greatest Portuguese footballer of all time.
The 36-year old is the captain of Portugal's national team and is the country's most-capped player and their all-time top goalscorer. Cristiano Ronaldo has made 173 appearances for Portugal's senior side, scoring 103 goals and continues to lead the national team with aplomb.
Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi is the captain of the Argentina national team. However, the Barcelona forward has 71 goals in 142 appearances for the Argentina senior side, and there have been suggestions that the 33-year old has failed to replicate his club form for his country.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness and longevity is unparalleled
One of the fittest athletes of the modern generation, Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to take care of himself in an impeccable manner throughout his career.
There have been anecdotes from his teammates about his obsession with fitness, with the Portugal international often the first player to reach the training ground and the last to depart. At Juventus, the 36-year old has often impressed with his fitness levels and has astonished fans with his heading ability, as well as his strength and energy.
Ronaldo has made 889 appearances in all competitions at club level, scoring 670 goals. While in recent years his managers have been cautious about managing his playing time, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play almost every game for club and country.
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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo has won more UEFA Champions League trophies than Lionel Messi
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have shone in Europe's primary club competition, but Ronaldo has won more Champions League titles than Messi.
The Portugal international has won five Champions League titles, having won one with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, has won four with Barcelona.
Apart from this, Cristiano Ronaldo is also the all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League, having scored 134 goals in 176 games. Lionel Messi has registered 120 goals in 149 appearances.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo has won a major international title
One accusation often leveled at Lionel Messi is that despite his immense talent he has been unable to help Argentina win an international title.
His supposed arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, has done that exact thing. Portugal made history when they won the Euros in 2016, beating France 1-0 in the final. Ronaldo did not play a major role in the final, having suffered an injury during the early parts of the game.
Despite this, Ronaldo won the Silver Boot for his performances in the tournament. The forward scored three goals and provided three assists as Portugal lifted their first major international trophy.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo has won league titles in multiple countries
There is no denying that Lionel Messi is Barcelona's greatest ever player, but the Argentine, unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, is yet to experience a different league.
Ronaldo has made history in three top European leagues. The attacker joined Manchester United in 2003 from Sporting CP, spending six seasons at the club and winning three Premier League titles. He joined Real Madrid in a then world-record deal in 2009, becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer and winning two La Liga titles.
In 2018, he moved to Juventus in a club-record deal and is arguably their most important player. Ronaldo has won two Serie A titles with Juventus and has done well this season despite the Old Lady's inconsistent performances.
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