6 similarities between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

#4. Brand power

They are the most famous football players in the world. Having won all the awards and accolades, they have carved a niche for themselves. Major corporations throughout the world vie for their attention in the hope that they can endorse their products.

Nike, Banco Espirito Santo, Samsung, Toyota, Tag Heuer, Herbalife, and Konami spend to endorse Ronaldo. Messi has endorsements from Adidas, Pepsi, Herbalife, Gillette, and Turkish Airlines.

#3. Captain their national sides

They are great leaders, and they captain their national sides. Messi is democratic and encourages ideas and participation from his teammates while Ronaldo is aggressive and unilateral in his leadership. However, both demand excellence from their teammates.

They have always done justice to their responsibility with their performances. The only accolade eluding both of them is a World Cup win.

#2. Penalty takers

Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Final

It is commonly known that Ronaldo is a great penalty taker while Messi is not. But if you analyze the statistics, it shows a closer picture.

Ronaldo has scored 15.92 percent of his career goals from penalties, while Messi has scored 12.97%. There is only a difference of almost 3%. Sooner or later, Messi will catch up with Ronaldo in this aspect.

#1. Both of them are charitable

They have used their money and fame by being associated with charitable organizations. Messi established Fundacion Leo Messi, a charity to support access to health and education and for the underprivileged children. He also served as the UNICEF ambassador in 2010.

Ronaldo raised money for various causes which included donating approximately $85,000 to a 10-year-old boy in need of brain surgery. He also gifted $165,000 to a cancer hospital in Portugal.