6 similarities between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Let's discuss six similarities between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They are legends in the world of football today. Messi and Ronaldo are magicians and wizards of the game & always look to defeat the opposition using their tactics and goal-scoring ability.

Messi is one of the greatest dribblers while Ronaldo relies on his speed and skills. They have a wide number of differences in their traits, but there are a few similarities as well.

#6. Master goal scorers

They have been the goal machines for their respective sides ever since their debut. Messi has scored 563 goals at club level and 65 goals for Argentina. Similarly, Ronaldo has scored 577 goals at club level and 85 goals for Portugal.

Messi and Ronaldo have six hat-tricks each. Messi scored the most goals ever for his team, Barcelona. Ronaldo did the same when he played at Real Madrid. Nobody comes near them in scoring goals from inside the box. They can score from the tightest spaces and sharpest angles.

#5. Greats of the game

They are considered the greatest football players of all time. They have played at the highest level, delivering excellent performances over the last 15 years. They have won Ballon d'Or a record ten times between them. Along with Pele and Maradona, both of them belong to the list of top four football players of all time.

"I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius." - Diego Maradona

“He is the best. The best in the world, yes. Probably the best ever. I saw Maradona a couple of times. I never saw Pele. But Cristiano is amazing. This man is the best... Cristiano is a goals machine. He is an incredible player. He is like Zidane, there will never be another Ronaldo.” - Jose Mourinho

#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.

Edited by Gabby Duran